Banana Cabana – A Caribbean Drink

The Banana Cabana is a brain-freeze-inducing blender drink that’s sweet, creamy and tropical. Also known as a dirty banana drink, this creamy, frozen cocktail is quick and easy to make with an overripe banana, Kahlua, rum, and Bailey’s Irish Cream. If you want to take a Caribbean vacation without the costly plane ticket, make this banana rum drink and remember the paper umbrella.

Before we officially kiss summer goodbye, we’ve got time for one or two more frozen rum drinks, don’t we, after all it’s still Labor Day weekend, right? This blender drink will be more than welcome with my friends and I imagine yours too… The banana cabana is a Caribbean drink that had me greedily tapping my glass to coax the last frosty remnants into my mouth. Yes, it’s THAT GOOD.  Try it.  You’ll see.

This recipe is actually a riff on a frosty drink I had at Blanchard’s, a fun, inventive restaurant that’s located smack dab in the middle of the Caribbean.  Are you familiar with St. Martin/St. Maarten?  Well, that’s not their island… they’re just a ferry ride away on the tiny outpost of Anguilla.  On the menu at Blanchard’s you’ll find everything from island-inspired salads to fresh seafood and spiny lobsters and of course, blender drinks.  You know, those frozen rum drinks that make a lazy beach day  that much better…

The banana cabana is just such a drink. With simple ingredients that might already be in your liquor cabinet, this Caribbean drink is the best reason I can think of to break out the blender. One whole banana, a bit of Coco Lopez and a combo of Bailey’s Irish Cream and Kahlua start the party.

Blender drinks start and end with a blender and this Caribbean drink is no exception. It’s best to add the ingredients in a specific order with the ice always coming last.  The reason for that, is that you want the blades to start their whirring action without being impeded immediately by solid ice cubes.  Adding the ice as the last ingredient allows all the components to combine into that frosty smooth blend that’s creamy and luscious on the tongue.

So, the soft ingredients go in first: Coco Lopez, Kahula, Baileys, rum (of course, rum – it’s a frozen rum drink, after all) and a banana.

Then the ice. Notice how I’ve got my glass right next to the blender?  That’s ’cause I know what’s coming and how good it is.

Blend to oblivion. { I recently did a post on the best blenders for frozen drinks, so if you need an upgrade to yours, check out the three most recommended brands in that article.} Look at that creamy smooth emulsion. The banana cabana is a quintessential blender drink that’ll have you booking a ticket to the islands in no time.

Now you can get fancy with your garnish, or keep it simple. For this frozen rum drink, I added a few sliced bananas and a sprinkle of nutmeg, but you could use toasted coconut with a sprinkle of cocoa or just add a rum floater and slip in a straw.

With your first sip, this Caribbean drink will transport you to a sun-drenched beach with a playful sea breeze, at least that’s what happened when I closed my eyes and concentrated on the not-too-sweet flavors of this frozen rum drink. Which island will the banana cabana take you to?

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