The first time I had a dirty monkey on vacation, I couldn’t believe how something this fun to drink was also this easy to make. 🐒
Creamy, banana forward, with a rich chocolate and rum kick, it’s basically dessert in a glass.
This blended drink comes together in just a few minutes with a regular blender, no fancy bar equipment required.
Once you make this at home, you’ll want to bring a little vacation energy into a regular weeknight.
Why This Recipe Works
Using a frozen banana instead of a fresh one gives this drink its thick, milkshake like texture without needing much ice.
Combining two types of rum, dark and coconut, is what gives this drink its signature depth of flavor.
And blending everything with chocolate syrup and cream ties the banana and rum together into something rich and dessert like.
What You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Frozen banana, sliced | 1 large |
| Dark rum | 1 oz |
| Coconut rum | 1 oz |
| Chocolate syrup | 2 tbsp, plus more for drizzling |
| Cream of coconut | 2 tbsp |
| Half and half or milk | 1/4 cup |
| Ice | 1 cup |
| Whipped cream | For topping, optional |
A short, fun list of ingredients that blend into something really indulgent.
Tools You’ll Need
- Blender
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Tall glass
Pro Tips
Things that make this drink turn out perfectly creamy every time.
- Use a frozen banana, not a fresh one. This is what gives the drink its thick, milkshake like consistency.
- Don’t skip the cream of coconut. It’s different from coconut milk and adds a rich sweetness that’s essential to this drink.
- Blend until completely smooth. Any banana chunks left behind will affect the texture.
- Drizzle chocolate syrup inside the glass before pouring. This creates a nice visual effect as the drink settles.
- Adjust the ice depending on how thick you like it. More ice makes it thicker, less makes it more pourable.
Substitutions and Variations
| Original | Swap | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dark rum | Spiced rum | Slightly different flavor, still works |
| Cream of coconut | Coconut milk plus extra sugar | Adjust sweetness to taste |
| Half and half | Whole milk | Slightly lighter texture |
| Regular version | Skip the alcohol | Makes this a kid friendly banana chocolate smoothie |
| Chocolate syrup | Hot fudge, warmed slightly | Richer chocolate flavor |
Want it extra indulgent? Rim the glass with chocolate syrup and shredded coconut before pouring.
Make Ahead Tips
Freeze sliced bananas ahead of time so they’re always ready whenever you want to make this drink.
This drink is best blended fresh right before serving, since it can separate if it sits too long.
You can pre-measure the rum and syrup into small containers if you’re planning to make several servings at once.
How to Make a Dirty Monkey
- Add the frozen banana, dark rum, coconut rum, chocolate syrup, cream of coconut, and half and half to a blender.
- Add the ice.
- Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Drizzle extra chocolate syrup around the inside of a tall glass.
- Pour the blended drink into the glass.
- Top with whipped cream and an extra drizzle of chocolate syrup if desired.
Serve immediately while it’s still cold and thick.
Extra Details
A single serving of this drink comes in around 320 calories, depending on how much cream and syrup you use.
This works great as a fun dessert style drink for a warm evening or a small gathering.
To make this ahead for a party, freeze extra bananas and pre-measure the other ingredients so you can blend servings quickly.
Leftovers and Storage
This drink is really best enjoyed fresh, since the texture changes significantly once it sits or is refrozen.
If you have extra blended mixture, you can freeze it in popsicle molds for a fun frozen treat instead.
Avoid storing the finished drink in the fridge for more than a couple hours, since it will separate.
FAQ
Can I make this drink without alcohol? Yes, just skip the rum entirely for a kid friendly banana chocolate smoothie version.
What is cream of coconut and where do I find it? It’s a sweetened coconut product, different from coconut milk, usually found near the drink mixers or baking aisle at the grocery store.
Can I use a fresh banana instead of frozen? You can, but you’ll need extra ice to get the same thick, milkshake like texture.
What other rum can I use if I don’t have coconut rum? Spiced rum or even extra dark rum both work as substitutes, though the flavor will be slightly different.
Can I make a big batch for a party? Yes, just multiply the ingredients and blend in batches, since blenders work best without overfilling.
Wrapping Up
This dirty monkey brings that fun, tropical vacation feeling right into your own kitchen, no plane ticket required.
Between the frozen banana and that rich chocolate rum flavor, this is the kind of drink that turns any evening into something a little more festive.
Give this one a try and let me know in the comments how you customized yours. I always love hearing what twists people add.
