This dirty banana drink is a twist on a frozen mudslide with the addition of brown sugar caramelized banana slices. It's sweet, has that quintessential frozen drink vibe, and is extra yummy with a toasty caramel banana flavor. It's the perfect end of summer to fall transition adult milkshake!
Meet the Dirty Banana: part frozen mudslide, part tropical daydream. Originating in the Caribbean and perfected for me at Nancy's in Martha's Vineyard, this cocktail gets an upgrade with caramelized bananas that bring out a toasty, golden sweetness. It's a drink that feels as welcome by the beach as it does on the porch in early September, making it the ultimate late-summer-to-fall sipper.
More Recipes You'll Love
- Another banana recipe: Our Pumpkin Banana Muffins are lovely and perfect for September.
- More frozen drink inspo: You need to check out our Frozen Aperol Spritz!
- Cozy fall vibes: Our Panera Copycat Autumn Squash Soup is what you need.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Tropical meets cozy: A summery frozen cocktail with caramelized bananas that add a warm, toasty twist.
- Late-summer perfection: Refreshing enough for August heat, but rich enough to carry you into early fall.
- Easy upgrade: Just a simple step of caramelizing the bananas makes it taste like a bar-worthy drink at home.
Key Ingredients
This version of a frozen mudslide has a simple list of ingredients. Additionally, we include a homemade whipped cream recipe in our recipe card, but you can also use store-bought.
- Butter - Just a little for caramelizing the bananas and giving them that toasty, golden flavor.
- Bananas - Slice fresh banana into coins; the riper they are, the sweeter and creamier your drink will be.
- Vodka - Keeps it classic, but you can swap in light rum if you want the more traditional vibe.
- Kahlúa - Adds that deep coffee-chocolate note to balance the sweetness.
- Baileys - Creamy, smooth, and essential for that mudslide texture.
- Vanilla ice cream - I prefer this over just ice for extra creaminess, and don't stress the exact amount, it's very forgiving.
- Ice - Just enough to keep things frosty without dulling the flavor.
- Chocolate syrup - Swirl inside your glass (or plastic cup, Nancy's style!) for a fun, dessert-like finish.
See recipe card below for quantities.
Step by Step Instructions
Ready in just 20 minutes including the 'nana caramelization!
Step 1: Make the whipped cream. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add whipped cream ingredients to the bowl and beat until stiff peaks form, making sure not to over whip. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 2: Caramelize the bananas. Melt the butter in a medium skillet and add banana slices in an even layer. Sprinkle with brown sugar and gently toss to coat. Cook and flip often, until caramelized and golden, about 5-10 minutes. Make sure not to break up the bananas too much otherwise they will become mushy. Remove from heat.
Step 3: Blend the mudslides. Add vodka, Kahlua, Baileys, vanilla ice cream, ice, and most of banana mixture to a blender (reserving about 3 pieces each for topping). Blend until smooth.
Step 4: Finish the dirty bananas. Drizzle the insides of 2 cups or glasses with chocolate syrup. Divide mudslides between cups, top with scoops of whipped cream, and some extra caramelized bananas. Enjoy immediately!
Pro Tip!
Don't smoosh each banana slice in the skillet otherwise they will get mushy instead of golden and caramelized.
Tips for Making these Dirty Bananas
- Caramelize low and slow: Don't rush the bananas, let them get golden and slightly sticky for the best flavor.
- Chill your glasses (if using): Pop them in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving for that frosty, bar-style presentation. If you're going the plastic cup route like me, you can obviously skip this!
- Adjust sweetness: Balance with an extra splash of coffee liqueur for more depth, and adjust the ice cream to ice ratio based on how dessert-y you want your drink.
FAQs
Nope, you can use all ice instead for a lighter texture, though the ice cream really gives it that creamy mudslide feel! I haven't tested all ice so recommend researching the correct ratio.
Vodka keeps the flavor clean, while rum adds a more tropical, Caribbean-style note. Either works, so go with what you love.
This drink is best blended fresh, but you can caramelize the bananas in advance and freeze them. When ready, just toss them in the blender with the other ingredients.
Storing and Make-Ahead
I think most frozen drinks are best enjoyed immediately, so I don't recommend making these ahead of time or storing them for leftovers.
Did you try this recipe? If so please leave a ⭐️ rating and/or comment below! Also, make sure to tag us on Instagram @doublethespoonfuls so we can see what you create.
📖 Recipe
Dirty Banana Drink (Frozen Mudslide with Caramelized Bananas)
Ingredients
Whipped Cream
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- splash of vanilla extract
Dirty Banana Drink
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 bananas sliced into coins
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces Kahlua
- 2 ounces Baileys
- 4 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 4 cups ice
- chocolate syrup for inside of glass
Instructions
- In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add whipped cream ingredients to the bowl and beat until stiff peaks form, making sure not to over whip. Refrigerate until ready to use.½ cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, splash of vanilla extract
- Melt the butter in a medium skillet and add banana slices in an even layer. Sprinkle with brown sugar and gently toss to coat. Cook and flip often, until caramelized and golden, about 5-10 minutes. Make sure not to break up the bananas too much otherwise they will become mushy. Remove from heat.2 tablespoons butter, 2 bananas, ¼ cup brown sugar
- Add vodka, Kahlua, Baileys, vanilla ice cream, ice, and most of banana mixture to a blender (reserving about 3 pieces each for topping). Blend until smooth.3 ounces vodka, 2 ounces Kahlua, 2 ounces Baileys, 4 scoops vanilla ice cream, 4 cups ice
- Drizzle the insides of 2 cups or glasses with chocolate syrup. Divide mudslides between cups, top with scoops of whipped cream, and some extra caramelized bananas. Enjoy immediately!chocolate syrup
Leave a star rating and comment, ask a question, or share a tip!