The Ultimate Banana Maple Smash: A Cozy Bourbon Cocktail

When the comfort of banana bread meets the warmth of a classic bourbon smash, you get the Banana Maple Smash. This cocktail is a revelation—a creamy, dreamy, and slightly tropical twist on the traditional whiskey smash that bridges the gap between a refreshing summer sipper and a cozy autumn nightcap. Whether you are a bourbon aficionado looking for something new or a sweet-tooth drinker wanting to dip your toes into the world of whiskey, this drink is designed to delight.

The magic of the Banana Maple Smash lies in its simplicity. With just four main ingredients—bourbon, banana creme liqueur, maple syrup, and fresh lemon juice—you can create a drink that feels incredibly sophisticated yet is effortless to throw together in your home kitchen. The banana liqueur adds a lush, fruity sweetness that pairs perfectly with the caramel and vanilla notes inherent in good bourbon, while the maple syrup adds a depth of flavor that simple syrup just can’t compete with. The lemon juice cuts through the sugar, ensuring the drink remains bright and balanced rather than cloying.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to master this cocktail. From selecting the right glassware to understanding the science of the “shake,” we have got you covered. Get ready to shake up your new favorite drink.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

There are countless reasons why the Banana Maple Smash deserves a permanent spot in your cocktail rotation. Here is why it stands out:

• Complex yet Simple: It tastes like a craft cocktail from a high-end speakeasy, but it requires zero advanced mixology skills. If you can pour and shake, you can make this.
• Perfect Balance: It hits every flavor note on the palate. You get the heat from the bourbon, the creaminess from the banana, the earthiness from the maple, and the acidity from the lemon.
• Versatile Seasonality: While banana often screams “tropical,” the addition of maple and bourbon makes this drink perfect for cooler weather, Thanksgiving gatherings, or holiday parties.
• Crowd Pleaser: Even people who claim they don’t like whiskey often enjoy this drink because the banana and maple smooth out the harsh edges of the spirit.

Ingredients Breakdown

The quality of your cocktail depends entirely on the quality of your ingredients. Since there are so few components in a Banana Maple Smash, each one plays a crucial role.

The Bourbon

The backbone of this drink. You don’t need to use your most expensive bottle, but avoid the bottom shelf. Look for a bourbon that has high notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak. A “wheated” bourbon can add a nice sweetness that complements the banana, while a high-rye bourbon will add a spicy kick to contrast the sugar.

Banana Creme Liqueur

This is the star of the show. Note that “Creme de Banane” is not creamy like Baileys; it is usually a clear or golden liqueur with a high sugar content. However, for this “Smash,” you can also use creamy banana liqueurs (like a banana cream rum) if you want a texture closer to a milkshake. For the classic cocktail profile, stick to a high-quality banana liqueur like Giffard Banane du Brésil or Tempus Fugit, which taste like real roasted bananas rather than artificial candy.

Maple Syrup

Skip the pancake syrup! You must use 100% pure maple syrup. Grade A Dark (formerly Grade B) is excellent here because it has a stronger, more robust maple flavor that stands up to the whiskey.

Lemon Juice

Fresh is non-negotiable. Bottled lemon juice often has preservatives that give it a metallic or flat taste. Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the zesty brightness needed to lift the heavy flavors of maple and banana.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need a professional bar setup, but a few key tools will make the process smoother:

• Cocktail Shaker: A Boston shaker (tin-on-tin) or a standard Cobbler shaker. If you don’t have one, a mason jar with a tight lid works in a pinch.
• Jigger: For precise measurements. Ratios are key in cocktails!
• Strainer: To keep the ice chunks out of your final drink.
• Rocks Glass: A short tumbler is the traditional vessel for a smash.

Ingredients

Gather these items to build your drink:

• 2 oz Bourbon whiskey
• 1 oz Banana Creme Liqueur (or high-quality banana liqueur)
• 0.5 oz Pure Maple Syrup
• 0.5 oz Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
• Ice Cubes (for shaking and serving)
• Fresh Banana Slice (for garnish)
• Optional: Dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for dusting

Instructions

1. Prepare the Glass: Start by placing your rocks glass in the freezer for a few minutes if you like an extra cold drink, or simply fill it with fresh ice cubes and set it aside to chill.
2. Combine Ingredients: In your cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, banana creme liqueur, maple syrup, and fresh lemon juice.
3. Add Ice: Fill the shaker about ¾ full with ice. Large cubes are better as they melt slower and dilute the drink less during the shake.
4. Shake: Seal the shaker tight and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds. You want to shake until the outside of the tin becomes frosty cold. This not only chills the drink but aerates the lemon juice and liqueurs to create a nice frothy texture.
5. Strain: If you chilled your serving glass with ice, you can pour the drink over that ice. Alternatively, dump the “tempering” ice and add fresh ice to the glass before straining the liquid from the shaker into the glass.
6. Garnish: Cut a fresh slice of banana. You can make a small slit in the slice to rest it on the rim of the glass.
7. Serve: Enjoy immediately while the foam is fresh and the drink is ice cold.

Tips for the Perfect Smash

The “Smash” Technique:
Traditionally, a “Smash” involves muddling fresh fruit or herbs (like mint or lemon wedges) in the bottom of the glass. While this recipe uses liquids for a smoother finish, you can make it a “true” smash by muddling a few slices of ripe banana at the bottom of the shaker before adding the liquids. This will result in a thicker, pulpier drink with an intense fresh banana flavor. Just be sure to double-strain (strain through a fine mesh sieve) if you don’t want banana bits in your teeth.

Caramelize the Garnish:
Want to impress your guests? Sprinkle a little sugar on your banana slice garnish and use a kitchen torch to brulee it until it’s crispy and brown. This adds a smoky aroma every time you take a sip.

Chill Your Syrup:
Keep your maple syrup in the fridge. Using cold ingredients helps keep the overall temperature of the cocktail down, preventing the ice from melting too quickly when you start shaking.

Variations to Try

Once you have mastered the original, try these twists:

• The Spiced Banana: Add a dash of walnut bitters or Angostura bitters to the shaker to add spicy, nutty complexity.
• Creamy Dream: If you want a dessert drink, add 0.5 oz of heavy cream or coconut milk to the shaker. It becomes a Banana Maple Creamsicle.
• The Scotch Switch: Swap the bourbon for a blended scotch for a smokier profile. The smoke pairs surprisingly well with the sweetness of the maple.
• Virgin Banana Smash: For a mocktail, omit the bourbon and liqueur. Muddle fresh banana with maple syrup and lemon juice, shake with ice, and top with ginger beer or sparkling water for a refreshing fizz.

Serving Suggestions

This cocktail is robust enough to be served as a pre-dinner drink or a dessert replacement.

Pairing with Food:
The sweetness of the maple and banana makes this a great partner for salty or savory snacks. Try serving it alongside:

• Bacon-wrapped dates
• Charcuterie boards with sharp cheddar or blue cheese
• Salted pretzels or nuts
• Spiced pecans

For dessert pairings, it goes beautifully with dark chocolate cake, apple pie, or—naturally—banana bread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this in a batch for a party?
Absolutely! You can multiply the ingredients by the number of guests and mix it in a large pitcher without ice. Keep the pitcher in the fridge. When guests arrive, pour individual servings into a shaker with ice, shake, and serve. Do not add ice to the pitcher, or it will dilute over time.

My drink is too sweet. What did I do wrong?
Banana liqueur and maple syrup are both potent sweeteners. If you find it too sweet, increase the lemon juice to 0.75 oz or add a splash of soda water to the final drink to lengthen it and reduce the sugar concentration.

Do I have to use banana liqueur?
If you can’t find banana liqueur, you can make a “cheat” version by muddling very ripe banana into the bourbon and letting it sit for an hour, then straining it out. It won’t be as sweet, so you may need to adjust the maple syrup.

Conclusion

The Banana Maple Smash is more than just a novelty cocktail; it is a sophisticated blend of comfort flavors that works for almost any occasion. It brings the warmth of the bakery into the cocktail glass, offering a sipping experience that is smooth, rich, and undeniably delicious. Whether you are shaking one up for yourself after a long day or serving a tray of them at your next gathering, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit. So grab your shaker, find your favorite bourbon, and get ready to smash!