When crafting the perfect cocktail, the choice of ingredients is paramount. If you want to add a tropical twist to your cocktail, there’s no better way than to incorporate the best banana liqueur.
So, having explored various options, I’m excited to share my top banana liqueur favorites that will take any mixed drinks to the next level.
Top 15 Best Banana Liqueurs To Try
1. Lejay Liqueur de Bananes
Average Price: Around $19/750ml (Wine-Searcher)
Alcohol Content: 25% ABV
Nose: Mature banana, vanilla
Palate: Cream, indulgent
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why I Like It: Lejay’s liqueur impresses me the most with its decadent banana and vanilla notes. I like the creamy and indulgent experience, perfect not just for cocktail drinks but also for sipping or over ice.
“Sip, savor, and let the tropical spirit of bananas enchant you.” – Liquor Laboratory
It’s fresh and bright upfront, making it a creamy dessert-like finish. Aside from Tempus Fugit, Lejay is my go-to drink when making Banana Calling and Yellow Bird.
2. Tempus Fugit Creme de Bananas
Average Price: Around $42.99/750ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 26% ABV
Nose: Ripe bananas
Palate: Cream, caramel
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why I Like It: Tempus Fugit banana liqueur boasts exceptional authenticity with its rich banana aroma and velvety caramelized sweetness. Actually, it tasted like a classic liqueur.
While I can’t recommend Tempus Fugit for sipping due to its intense sweetness, it’s perfect for crafting a classic and contemporary cocktail.
3. Giffard Banane du Brésil
Average Price: Around $33.99/750ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 25% ABV
Nose: Fresh banana, brown sugar
Palate: Smooth, tropical
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why I Like It: I like how Giffard’s Banane du Brésil provides a balance of flavors. It’s made from pureed Brazillina bananas and slowly infused with a neutral spirit.
This is blended with another spirit distilled from bananas. It is also topped off with oak-aged cognac, imparting a sophisticated mouthfeel.
4. Bols Banana Foam Liqueur
Average Price: Around $57/750ml (Wine-Searcher)
Alcohol Content: 17% ABV
Nose: Ripe bananas
Palate: Fluffy, fruity
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why I Like It: Bols Foam liqueur delivers a unique element with its fluffy texture and fruity profile. It stands out in cocktails like Banana Daiquiri and Banana Foster (with cinnamon sticks).
5. Joseph Cartron Banane Liqueur
Average Price: Around $28/750ml (Wine-Searcher)
Alcohol Content: 25% ABV
Nose: Just a touch of banana, toffee
Palate: Rich, complex taste
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why I Like It: Joseph Cartron’s banana liqueur surprises me with its mellow banana notes but boasts a decadent, complex banana flavor on the mouth. This a delicious choice for your cocktail drink.
6. Gabriel Boudier Creme de Bananes
Average Price: Around $27/750ml (Wine-Searcher)
Alcohol Content: 25% ABV
Nose: Candied bananas, spices
Palate: Creamy, fruity
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why I Like It: Gabriel Boudier provides delightful tastes and aromas. Its creamy and fruity flavor is perfect for adding a hint of sweetness to cocktail drinks.
7. Giffard Creme de Bananes
Average Price: Around $21/750ml (Wine-Searcher)
Alcohol Content: 25% ABV
Nose: Delicate scent, caramel
Palate: Smooth, tropical
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why I Like It: Giffard’s Banane is a versatile option with renewed aromas, making it an excellent addition to a wide range of cocktails, like a Banana Bliss and a Psycho Killer drink.
Also Read:
- The Best Orange Liqueurs
- The Best Chocolate Liqueurs
- The Best Orange Liqueurs For Margaritas
- The Best Cherry Brandy Liqueurs
8. Edmond Briottet Crème de Banane
Average Price: Around $29/750ml (Wine-Searcher)
Alcohol Content: 25% ABV
Nose: Banana flambe
Palate: Luscious, warm
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why I Like It: This cream liqueur captures the essence of banana flambe with its luscious profile. It adds sophistication to cocktails, particularly in the Bananarama recipe.
9. Cobana Liqueur
Average Price: Around $16/750ml (Wine-Searcher)
Alcohol Content: 30% ABV
Nose: Banana peel
Palate: Smooth, tropical spice
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why I Like It: Unlike Tempus Fugit, Cobana liqueur is good on its own, although it’s higher in ABV. This dink is balanced with a fresh scent and tropical flavor.
Also, you can strain, shake, and stir it in cocktails over ice for a refreshing twist.
10. Jacquin’s Nirvana Liqueur
Average Price: Around $15/750ml (Wine-Searcher)
Alcohol Content: 20%
Nose: Overripe bananas
Palate: Sweet, fruity
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why I Like It: This banana liqueur from Jacquin’s Nirvana is another affordable option. This is a must-have if you’re looking for a drink solely for mixing.
It pairs well with cinnamon, maple syrup, juice, and chocolate.
Read: Various Types of Liqueurs
11. 99 Bananas Liqueur
Average Price: Around $16.99/750ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 21% ABV
Nose: Intense banana flavor
Palate: Powerful, candy-like
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why I Like It: 99 Bananas liqueur stands out with its intense aroma and powerful, candy-like flavor. I find it best for making Chocolate Banana Martini or Tropical Punch for its bold notes of bananas.
12. Bols Creme de Bananas
Average Price: Around $13/750ml (Wine-Searcher)
Alcohol Content: 17% ABV
Nose: Banana candy
Palate: Sweet, fruity
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why I Like It: This cream liqueur uses a rum distillate [1], so I like the added character and depth alongside the candy scent and a sweet, fruity bite.
If you want to make a playful drink like Dirty Bananas, Bols is an affordable option. Garnish it with cherry, and enjoy!
13. Hiram Walker Creme de Bananas
Average Price: Around $10.79/750ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 15% ABV
Nose: Artificial bananas, herbs
Palate: Candied, straightforward
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: Unlike Tempus Fugit, in the higher price range, Hiram Walker [2] is a budget-friendly option with a simple, sweet profile, suitable for casual mixing.
Despite the lower quality, it boasts a well-rounded body and pronounced flavors that harmoniously combine to create delightful tropical drinks.
14. Monin Creme de Bananes Liqueur
Average Price: Around $15/750ml (Wine-Searcher)
Alcohol Content: 20% ABV
Nose: Overripe bananas
Palate: Sweet, fruity
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why I Like It: If your cocktail recipe calls for something very sweet and fruity, try Monin’s banana liqueur. It’s affordable but still guarantees a balanced flavor profile.
“Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.” — Ogden Nash, American Poet
I don’t recommend drinking this neat, but you can try it over ice.
15. De Kuyper Creme de Bananes
Average Price: Around $12/750ml (Wine-Searcher)
Alcohol Content: 24% ABV
Nose: Artificial banana fruit
Palate: Candied, straightforward
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: De Kuyper is a budget-friendly option. I didn’t expect much from this fruit liqueur, but I find it a decent choice for casual mixing. For a natural flavor, give it some garnish, like a banana slice.
Note: The star rating was determined based on a blind test, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. Each product was evaluated on its flavor complexity, smoothness, versatility in mixology, and widespread consensus among enthusiasts.
FAQs
Is banana liqueur and creme de bananas the same?
No, they’re not the same. Banana liqueur is a broad term circling various banana-flavored spirits, while crème de bananas is a specific type of banana liqueur [3] that is sweet and creamy.
What do you mix banana liqueur with?
Banana liqueur pairs well with various spirits, including rum, vodka, and whiskey. It’s also a key ingredient in tropical cocktails like the Banana Daiquiri and the Banana Colada.
What is the best banana liqueur for Tiki?
The best liqueur for Tiki cocktails is Lejay liqueur de Banane due to its rich bananas and brown sugar notes, complementing the exotic flavors typically found in Tiki drinks.
What are the different brands of banana liqueur?
Some popular brands of banana liqueur include Giffard Banane du Brésil, Bols Banana, Marie Brizard Banana Liqueur, and DeKuyper Banana Liqueur. Each brand may have its own unique flavor profile and level of sweetness.
How is banana liqueur used in cocktails?
Banana liqueur is a versatile ingredient in cocktails and can be used to add a tropical and fruity flavor to a variety of drinks. It is commonly used in cocktails like the Banana Daiquiri, the Banana Colada, and the Bananas Foster Martini. It can also be used in dessert cocktails or as a topping for ice cream and other desserts.
What is the shelf life of banana liqueur?
Banana liqueur has a long shelf life and can last for several years if stored properly in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Once opened, it is best to consume it within a few years for optimal flavor.
Can banana liqueur be used in cooking?
Yes, banana liqueur can be used in cooking to add flavor to desserts, sauces, and glazes. It pairs well with ingredients like chocolate, caramel, and tropical fruits in recipes such as banana bread, banana foster sauce, or banana-flavored whipped cream.
Is banana liqueur gluten-free?
Most banana liqueurs are gluten-free since they are made from distilled spirits and natural flavorings. However, it’s essential to check the label or contact the manufacturer if you have specific dietary restrictions or concerns about gluten.
Final Thoughts
Among the banana liqueurs I’ve tried, one stood out the most – Lejay liqueur. Its ripe banana and vanilla aromas, delicious savor, and impressive versatility in mixology make it the best option.
Whether crafting classic cocktails [4] or experimenting with new concoctions, this liqueur is a must-have in your home bar.
So, why wait? Elevate your cocktails to a tropical paradise with the best banana liqueur that will leave your taste buds craving for more!
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/rum-liquor
- https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/hiram-walker
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/liqueur#
- https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/5-things-you-didnt-know-cocktails-bartending.htm
