Are you looking to try something new, simple, and delicious? Check out these four amazing ways to make banana drinks – smoothie, milk, milkshake, and lemonade. ! With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a refreshing and satisfying beverage perfect for any time of day or month. Don’t wait – try these recipes and discover your new favorite drink today!
Banana smoothies always remind me of my childhood and our family friend. We called her aunty because we all adored her so much. She was always a hard worker, even though she was never valued enough. I thought it would be a great way to start a blog with a sweet and nostalgic memory. She always made me this drink, although bananas were not so accessible. She loved to add apples.
I remember the encouragement and advertisements for drinking milk. Banana smoothie was an easy way to persuade children to drink milk.
Imagine a homemade, creamy, delicious drink next to your computer or a favorite book. There will be no more signs of procrastination. You can also skip one coffee. 🙂 It is healthy and has no artificial flavors. It is also cheaper and more tasteful to do it at home.
They say bananas have a lot of sugar, but we need the natural sugar. Bananas are a popular energy source for athletes, providing an energy boost during exercise.
The most sweet are ripe bananas. Under-ripe bananas will give you a more neutral flavor of bananas. Thickness varies depending on the proportions of liquid and solid ingredients. Feel free to add any flavors you like.
It is so easy to impress with this one. Trust me. Just make it. It is so easy and good. All you need is bananas, milk, and a blender. It is one of my favorite recipes because I always have everything at home. Only bananas and milk are needed, and you’re all set. I don’t like adding yogurt; milk is my preference. I always add extra fresh lemon juice and ice cubes if I use yogurt.
BASIC
- Use fresh or frozen fruits.
- Add Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
- Add nutritious ingredients like peanut butter, almond butter, flax, and chia seeds.
PRO TIPS
- Maple syrup boasts a woodsy flavor while honey adds a sweet, floral note. I believe that adding maple syrup to the drink enhances its aroma more than honey does.
- Ripe bananas blend more easily, resulting in a smoother, creamier, and softer texture.
- The most flavorful bananas are ones with dark brown dots on them.
- Accelerate the ripening of bananas in a warm spot in a paper bag.
- Froze ripened bananas for more sweetness.
- Frozen fruit creates a thicker, creamier, and extra-velvety texture, but blending can be more challenging—ice results in a more watery texture.
- Use any type of milk you prefer, whether dairy (whole or skim) or dairy-free (coconut, almond, oat, soy, cashew, pea, rice, quinoa).
- If you prefer a less sweet drink, store bananas in a plastic bag in a cool place to keep them fresh for longer (use under-ripe bananas for a neutral flavor).
TOP PRO TIPS
- The most recommended is whole milk (most creamiest).
- Lightly roast bananas to elevate the flavor to the next level.
- You can also use nuts to make milk. Blend the nuts with coconut milk or water and your desired flavors until smooth.
- Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie tastes like a milkshake but without any added sugar. Peanut butter will make the consistency thicker, so add more liquid.
SMOOTHIE VARIATIONS
It is like a neverending story. It is so fun to do smoothies. You can not run out of ideas.
- Use different fruits: blueberries, strawberries, peaches, mango.
- Use dairy or dairy-free milk.
- Add vegetables: kale, salad, spinach, etc.
- Add flax seeds or chia seeds.
- Spice it up with some ginger, cinnamon, or turmeric.
- Add a tablespoon of peanut, almond, or cashew butter.
- Add some caramel, chocolate, cocoa powder, or matcha for a soft and earthy taste.
CHIC DECORATION
- Chill the glasses in the freezer until they develop a beautiful frost.
- Drizzle the chocolate or caramel syrup along the sides of the glass.
- Fancy straws.
Chic toppings ideas: chocolate chips or sprinkles, grated chocolate or syrup, caramel, different pieces of fruit, sweet cherries, nuts, crushed peanuts, whipped cream, coconut cream, nutmeg, cookies, candies, dried banana chips, cinnamon, powdered cardamom, turmeric, chia seeds
STORAGE
- Store it in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. Fill the container to the top and seal it with a cap. Add a few drops of fresh lemon juice to help reduce naturally browning when exposed to air. The acid in the lemon juice will help prevent browning. Add small amounts so it won’t affect the taste of the banana milk. Shake before serving.
- Some store it longer, but I prefer not to. I think fresh food is healthier. Just don’t make it too much at once. It is so easy to make, so there is no point in doing large amounts.
- You can use it as a liquid for smoothie bowls, over cereals, oatmeal, or granola, and topped with chunks of fresh fruit.
Freezing tips
- You can preserve leftover bananas by freezing them. These frozen bananas can be used later for making smoothies, pancakes, or banana bread.
- You can freeze it in ice cube trays.
- Well-ripened bananas are sweeter. If you don’t know what to do with the mushiest bananas, this is a solution to a zero-waste kitchen. But I must admit that I like the taste of green bananas.
RECIPE
2 bananas (well-ripened, sliced, or broken into pieces)
250ml ice-cold regular milk or plant-based milk
1 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp peanut butter (optional, add more liquid if necessary)
I never measure ingredients and add liquids based on a feeling. Use any type of milk you prefer. You are in full control over the level of sweetness you add. Consider the flavor and consistency of different types of milk.
*1 Tbsp = 15 ml, 250 ml = 1 Cup, ½ tsp = 2.5ml
BASIC DIRECTIONS
Mix all ingredients with a hand blender until the texture is smooth without banana bits. Serve and take a picture immediately because of discoloration.
For best results, slice the bananas and freeze them before blending. Use a high-powered blender that can handle frozen bananas and ice. Alternatively, serve the smoothie with ice or chill it in a fridge. The best is to drink straight away and enjoy when chilled.
Different adding such as honey, maple syrup, vanilla, peanut butter, and dates will enhance the aroma and sweetness. All these ingredients are optional. It will be tasteful without any add-ons.
Get creative with optional add-ins/ons. Enjoy a smashing drink!
