I’m from Kentucky. I know bourbon. And when fall rolls in and the sweaters come out, I want a cocktail that tastes like dessert but still kicks like a mule. Enter the Banana Bread Old-Fashioned.
This drink is for people who like their cocktails cozy, clever, and just a little bit nostalgic. Think banana bread – warm, spiced, comforting – but with booze! Real booze. The kind that warms your chest and makes you say, “I am fun at parties.”
It’s built like a traditional old-fashioned: bourbon, a touch of sugar, bitters. But it’s twisted with a bit of sweet banana liqueur. The result? A drink that tastes like you baked, but didn’t. In fact, if you’ve ever dreamed of an old-fashioned that could replace your mimosas at Christmas brunch, this is the one that your mother-in-law might find acceptable!
This is your new go-to for fall and winter. It’s crowd-pleasing, easy to batch, and makes you look pretty impressive. The flavor build is super interesting, too. It starts out with the powerful bourbon overpowering your taste buds. But as you continue to sip, the banana bread flavor really seeps in. You’re going to love it! I dare you to pair it with a warm slice of real banana bread.
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Ingredients Needed
Good Bourbon
I’m partial to Maker’s Mark myself. Some bourbons like Old Forester 100 do have some extremely subtle banana notes from the yeast strains used in fermentation. It’s so subtle, though, that it’s not enough to make me stray from Maker’s for this drink. Just don’t go bottom shelf. This cocktail deserves respect.
Banana Liqueur
If I were to recommend a single banana liqueur to add to an old-fashioned, it would for sure be Giffard Banane du Bresil Liqueur. Alas, it is both very expensive and very difficult to find where I live. I went with the next-best thing I could find, which is Drillaud Banana.
While no creme de banana completely avoids an overripe, artificial flavor, try to steer clear of 99 Bananas or DeKuyper for this cocktail. They have their place, but their brands of banana is extremely artificial, reminiscent of eating Runts candies.
Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
While you absolutely can buy premade brown sugar simple syrup, it’s extremely easy to make yourself. And it’s way cheaper that way, too! I’ll go over how to do it.
Black Walnut Bitters
Fee Brothers is one of the few bitters brands easy to find near me, but I’m not terribly picky about bitters. Any brand you prefer is fine. And while I don’t actually like any kind of nut in my banana bread, I do love the hint of flavor it adds to my drink!
Chocolate Bitters
Again, I used Fee Brothers bitters. And if I were going to add an extra dash or two of bitters, it would be the chocolate one.
How to Make a Banana Bread Old-Fashioned
- Add a single large ice cube to a rocks glass. You don’t want regular ice cubes or they will melt and dilute the drink too quickly. Get a round silicone molds to make your own perfect cubes!
- Pour in two ounces of bourbon (use a jigger to make it easier), around half an ounce of banana liqueur, and about a teaspoon of brown sugar simple syrup.
- Add at least one dash each of black walnut and chocolate bitters.
- Stir well with a cocktail stirrer. Garnish with a banana chip and chocolate curls, if desired.
Making Your Own Simple Syrup
To make your own simple syrup, all you need to do is add one cup of packed light brown sugar and one cup of water to a small saucepan. Heat on high while stirring until it starts to bubble, then reduce the heat to medium. Let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool in the saucepan. It will still be thin after it simmers, but will thicken as it cools. Pour it into an airtight container. It’ll thicken more in the fridge and keeps fresh for about two months!
Banana Bread Old-Fashioned Cocktail
Cozy up by the fireplace with this nostalgic, deliciously, ever-so-slightly sweet old-fashioned cocktail that reminds you of mom's homemade holiday banana bread.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. bourbon
- 1/2 oz. banana liqueur
- 1 tsp. brown sugar simple syrup
- Dash of walnut bitters
- Dash of chocolate bitters
- Banana chip (optional)
- Chocolate curls (optional)
For Simple Syrup
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Add a single large ice cube to a rocks glass.
- Pour in two ounces of bourbon, half an ounce of banana liqueur, and a teaspoon of brown sugar simple syrup. Add more banana liqueur or syrup to taste.
- Add a dash each off black walnut bitters and chocolate bitters, adding more to taste.
- Stir well. Garnish with a banana chip or two and some chocolate curls (optional).
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Nutrition Information
Yield
1Serving Size
1 drinkAmount Per Serving Calories 221Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 0mgCarbohydrates 9gNet Carbohydrates 0gFiber 0gSugar 5gSugar Alcohols 0gProtein 0g
