Banana Daiquiri
Blend ∙ 4 min ∙ 22.6% ABV ∙
A blended sour of light gold rum, banana liqueur, fresh banana, and lime, the Banana Daiquiri is the fruited, frozen cousin of the classic Daiquiri. Thick and cold, ripe banana rounds out the rum's warmth while lime keeps the sweetness from turning heavy, finishing bright rather than syrupy — an easy poolside or dessert pour.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Blend all ingredients: Light gold rum 60 mlBanana liqueur 30 mlLime juice 15 mlBanana 1 pc with a scoop of crushed ice
- Pour into the chilled glass
- Garnish with a banana chunk on the rim
Tips
- Use an overripe banana — its extra sugar and softer texture blend smoother and taste far less starchy than a barely-yellow one.
- Blend with enough ice to reach a thick, pourable slush; too little and the drink separates into a watery layer under the foam.
- Add the lime juice before blending so its acidity is evenly distributed, keeping the banana's sweetness from tasting flat.
History
The Daiquiri, the parent of this variation, is widely credited to Jennings Cox, an American mining engineer working near the town of Daiquiri in eastern Cuba around the time of the Spanish-American War of 1898. The banana version is commonly said to have been created in 1953 by British sea captain George Soule at the Mountain Top bar on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he blended local rum with ripe banana, banana liqueur, and lime juice, though some sources instead credit Hawaiian bartender Harry Yee with an early banana daiquiri of his own. Unlike Cox's original shaken, unblended drink, this variation is defined by its use of whole banana pureed into the mix.
FAQ
What is in a Banana Daiquiri?
Light gold rum, banana liqueur, fresh lime juice, and a whole banana (preferably overripe), blended with ice and served in a cocktail glass with a banana chunk garnish. The banana and banana liqueur together give it a thicker, sweeter body than a classic Daiquiri.
Is a Banana Daiquiri shaken or blended?
Blended, not shaken. The whole banana and ice need a blender to turn into a smooth, thick slush; shaking would leave chunks of fruit and uncrushed ice in the glass.
What glass is a Banana Daiquiri served in?
A cocktail glass, garnished with a banana chunk.
What is the alcohol content of a Banana Daiquiri?
This recipe comes out to about 22.6% ABV, lighter than a classic spirit-forward cocktail because the whole banana and ice dilute the pour considerably.
How do you make a Banana Daiquiri with frozen bananas?
Frozen banana works in place of fresh; let it soften for a few minutes at room temperature first so the blender doesn't stall, then blend it with the rum, banana liqueur, lime juice, and ice as usual. Using frozen fruit also lets you cut back slightly on ice for a thicker texture.
