Banana Bread Simple Syrup 🍌

Have bananas you need to use up? Make this!

Seeing as the world feels absolutely bananas right now, it seemed fitting to incorporate some real bananas into my life. Also, I had one banana on my counter that needed to be used yesterday. One banana is not enough to make banana bread…and that’s when I decided to try it in a simple syrup.

Also, I deeply believe bananas and avocados have conspired together to be the produce that is like, “We’re good, we’re good, we’re good…..WE HAVE IMMEDIATELY EXPIRED. YOU ARE TOO LATE!!!!!!!”

Alas, I give you banana bread simple syrup!

The recipe is below along with some drink recipes for how I use this liquid gold! 🍌

Banana Bread Simple Syrup

Makes a little over 1 cup of simple syrup.

Will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

Tools:

• Blender (optional, see below for alternative method)

• Sauce pan

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Strainer (optional)

• Container with an airtight lid for storage

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup water

• 3/4 cup maple syrup

• 1 banana, torn into big chunks

• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp vanilla paste (or extract)

• 1/2 tsp walnut extract (or almond extract)

• pinch of salt

Method:

1. In a blender (this has quickly become my favorite mini blender!) add the water, maple syrup, and banana pieces. Blend until smooth. (If you don’t want to use your blender, see below).

2. In a saucepan over medium heat add the banana mixture along with the cinnamon, vanilla paste and walnut or almond extract and pinch of salt. Allow to simmer on the stove for 3-5 minutes until everything is incorporated. Allow to cool.

3. Strain into an airtight container and refrigerate. (Straining is optional, if you use the blender, your syrup should be nice and smooth.)

*If you do not want to use a blender, add all the ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat. Use a muddler or masher to mash the bananas thoroughly. Allow to simmer on the stove for 3-5 minutes until everything is incorporated. Allow to cool. Strain into a container.

How to Use the Syrup 🍌

We’ve been putting this in everything!

Banana Bread Old Fashioned 🥃

Makes 1

This is perfect for sipping on after dinner. It’s rich and warming!

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz bourbon*

• 1.5 oz rye

• 1 oz Banana Bread simple syrup

• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters

• Bourbon soaked cherry

*You can also just do 3 oz of either Bourbon or Rye.

Method

In a cocktail mixing glass filled with ice add the bourbon, rye, and banana simple syrup. Stir until chilled and fully mixed.

Strain into an old fashioned glass with a spherical ice ball. Add a few dashes of angostura bitters and top with a bourbon soaked cherry (in that way it is kind of like a banana split old fashioned)!

Banana Bread Shaken Iced Espresso ☕️

Makes 1

I have been making shaken espressos at home since 2020! This is how I make them swapping my honey simple syrup for this banana bread syrup!

Ingredients

• 2 shots of espresso

• 1 Tbsp Banana Bread simple syrup (add more for a sweeter drink)

• Heavy cream (optional)

• Ice

Method

1. Make 2 shots of espresso (I make my espresso in my Nespresso, I use two pods and my current favorite are the Firenze Arpeggio pods). This will give you about 5 oz of espresso.

2. Add 1 Tbsp Banana Bread Simple syrup into the glass with the hot espresso. Pour this into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

3. Secure lid and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. Some of the ice will melt, helping tame down the espresso and shaking will create the froth we all love to see in our cup!

4. Using a strainer, pour the espresso and simple syrup mixture into a cup filled with ice.

5. Add 1/4 cup heavy cream. Enjoy!

I’ve also been putting this in my Early Gray tea and my morning cup of coffee. You can also drizzle it over oatmeal, vanilla ice cream or granola!

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