Recipe summary for Viral Banana Milk Latte
This creamy iced drink is a copycat of the Korean favorite. It combines homemade banana milk poured over rich espresso and ice. The banana milk is made quickly by blending milk, banana, and maple syrup or your sweetener of choice.
I hand tested this recipe in my own kitchen until it was just right to share with you all, and my teens and I have enjoyed it several times now!
Why you’ll love this recipe
Banana milk coffee drinks are taking over social feeds, but how exactly are they made?
A banana milk latte is a Korean-inspired iced coffee drink made by combining sweet banana milk with espresso over ice. Easy enough, right?
The secret to this drink is achieving the exact right ratio of cold brew intensity to natural sweetness. Too much espresso overpowers the subtle fruit notes, while too little leaves you with basic smoothie vibes. After testing different milk bases and sweetener levels, this version strikes the ideal harmony for coffee lovers who want something delightfully dynamic.
Where did the viral banana milk latte come from?
If your grocery has an Asian market section, definitely look for the Binggrae brand of banana milk pouches. From what I understand, convenience stores in Korea sell the milk plus pouches of cold coffee. Customers buy a cup of ice, combine them right in the store, and then enjoy their banana milk latte! I learned all about it from Vogue of all places!
We are going to do a copycat banana milk iced coffee at home in case you don’t have access to the banana milk pouches. (But, you can get a case of it on Amazon, of course.)
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What equipment do I need?
If making the banana milk homemade, all you need is a blender! For this one serving recipe, I love this affordable Hamilton Beach blender. It really blends it up perfectly. That’s my affiliate link.
Step by step instructions with pictures
Blend the homemade banana milk
Add half of a very ripe banana, maple syrup, and milk into a personal blender. Process the ingredients on until the mixture is completely smooth, luscious, and creamy. Make sure there are no banana lumps.
Assemble the coffee layer
Fill a tall beverage glass with one cup of ice cubes. Pour two ounces of fresh espresso or smooth cold brew coffee directly over the ice. I like the Bizzy and Stok brands for premixed cold espresso.
Layer and finish the latte
Slowly pour your freshly blended banana milk over the cold coffee. Top off the glass with additional ice until full, then stir gently to combine the flavors before drinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use store-bought options like the popular Binggrae brand pouches for a traditional Korean coffee treat. Simply fill your glass with ice, add the espresso, pour the banana milk straight from the pouch over top, stir well, and enjoy.
You can easily swap the dairy milk for oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk. Oat milk works particularly well because its naturally rich body highlights the fresh fruit taste. The Bingrrae milk you buy in the store is not dairy free.
Double shots of freshly pulled espresso offer a strong flavor profile, but concentrated cold brew coffee works equally well for a smooth taste.
While you can make the banana milk ahead of time, the milk may brown due to the banana. I like it best fresh!
Imagine a banana lolipop with a deep, coffee undertone. It’s similar to a caramel latte.
More About Steph @ Life Bites Kitchen
Did you know Steph hand writes and tests all recipes you find on this blog? As a dedicated scratch cook and recipe developer for years, she is tenacious about making sure you have the best recipe in your hands when you spend your time and money to get cooking in the kitchen. Every photo you see on this site was taken by her with real food, which means they might look imperfect at times, but they represent authentic results you can easily recreate at home.
Video Demo for the Banana Milk Latte Recipe
Viral Banana Milk Latte
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Blend banana, maple syrup, and milk until smooth and creamy.
- Over 1 cup of ice, add espresso, then top with banana milk. Top with more ice until glass is full.
Video
Notes
*Please consult your health professional for health and nutritional advice.
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Want more coffee or breakfast recipes?
If you love fun morning beverages, try my homemade blueberry iced mocha or pair this with delish almond poppy seed bread.
