This Banana Bread Iced Latte Is the Coffee Craze You’ll Want All Summer

One of the best parts of the internet? How quickly a creative idea can go viral — especially when it comes to food and drinks. For coffee enthusiasts like me, that means there’s always a new brew to try. And the latest caffeinated trend just might be my favorite yet.

This summer’s must-try drink is the banana bread latte — a homemade iced latte that tastes like your favorite baked treat but doesn’t require an oven. If you’re a fan of banana bread’s warm, spiced flavor, this is the drink for you. It’s comforting, sweet, and surprisingly simple to whip up.

How to Make a Banana Bread Latte

The process starts with the same main ingredient you’d use in banana bread: a ripe banana. Mash it up in a bowl, jar, or plate. Then, move the mashed banana to a small saucepan and stir in brown sugar and water. While there are slight variations across social media, a popular base ratio is 1:1:1 — one banana, one cup of brown sugar, and one cup of water.

You can also toss in a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or salt to enhance the flavor. Heat the mixture over medium, stirring until it comes to a boil. Let it simmer gently until it thickens into a syrup, then remove from heat. Add a splash of vanilla or almond extract, if you’d like.

At this point, you can either blend the syrup or strain it through a fine mesh sieve to remove banana bits. Once your banana syrup is smooth, pour your desired amount into a small cup and brew espresso directly over it. Stir the syrup and espresso together until well combined.

From here, you can make your latte however you prefer. Add milk and ice for a chilled version, or steam your milk for a cozy, hot drink. No espresso machine? No problem. The syrup also works great stirred into cold brew or regular drip coffee. For extra flair, mix some of the syrup into frothed milk or cream to top your drink.

Banana Coffee Trends Keep Evolving

This isn’t the first time banana flavors have taken over the coffee world. In 2024, “banana cream” and “banana pudding” lattes made waves online, though their recipes varied widely. Some creators used banana pudding mix and white chocolate syrup, while others blended bananas into creamy foam toppings. A common ingredient across many of these versions? Crushed Nilla wafers, giving the drink that classic banana pudding taste.

Where to Find a Banana Bread Latte

Don’t feel like making your own syrup? You’re in luck — Dutch Bros Coffee, which has over 1,000 U.S. locations, offers a banana bread-flavored syrup. Customers love adding it to cold brew or lattes. (Heads up: if you order it as a latte there, it may include hazelnut syrup.)

The TikTok-fueled trend has also led some independent cafés to jump on board. These drinks often show up as limited-time specials, so keep an eye out.

If you’re in New York City, you can head to Not As Bitter in the East Village for their “Banana Split” — a refreshing combo of coconut milk, fresh fruit, and espresso. In Richmond, Virginia, Lift Coffee Shop & Cafe serves a Banana Bread Latte that features a homemade spiced banana syrup, just like the one trending online.

As for me? I’m already planning new ways to use the syrup. This weekend, I’m making banana pancakes and drizzling the syrup over the top. With one batch of syrup, the banana-flavored possibilities are endless — and I’ve only just begun.

https://bamboowokmanvel.com/food-drink/cooking-recipes/