Dirty Banana

The Dirty Banana has its strengths and its weaknesses. For one, there’s that name—which we can all agree could use some work. Plus, the tall milky glass isn’t much to look at. But set aside your initial reaction, and you’ll find that the Dirty Banana’s strengths lie within its amazing flavor. If you're a banana fanatic, this is for you.

The banana is present as promised: both in the form of banana liqueur and also an entire fresh banana, blended into the drink to provide you a full spectrum of the fruit’s flavor. Both milk and cream are added to provide a full-bodied base for the rich cocktail. Meanwhile, the drink gets its “dirty” moniker from a hit of Kahlúa and aged rum. The coffee liqueur adds much-needed bitterness to the powerfully sweet cocktail while rum gives it depth, flavors of molasses and caramel, and, of course, a boozy kick. All together, it’s like a spiked banana split covered with caramel sauce and espresso—if that glorious creation was somehow a summery blended drink. You might have just stumbled upon your new favorite guilty pleasure.

Recommended rums: Bacardi Reserva Ocho, El Dorado Original Dark Superior Rum, Appleton Estate Reserve Blend, Dr. Bird Moscatel Cask Finish Jamaican Rum

Recommended banana liqueur: The Dirty Banana is served pretty well by 99 Bananas or Bols. But if you want a more natural banana flavor (and a lot less sugar), try usingGiffard Banane du Bresil, perhaps the greatest gift ever to banana-loving drinkers.