I went out to lunch over the weekend with a good friend who came in from out of town for a visit. We hit up a local Mediterranean restaurant, and as we were browsing the menu, she suggested the “Banana Honey Milk” for a beverage that she’d had before and enjoyed.
Bananas, honey and milk? I am so there!
Our drinks were brought to the table by a friendly, older gentleman who proudly told us that he’d made them himself, and then asked us to let him know how we liked them. This drink was frothy, sweet and thin like milk, as opposed to being thick like a smoothie or milkshake.
It was simple. And it was delicious.
I spotted the Banana Milk Man as we were leaving the restaurant and I had to tell him that he did a great job. I then threw in that I couldn’t wait to go home recreate it.
“If you can recreate that…” he said doubtfully, “you must come back and tell me about it.”
You know, that sort of sounds a like a challenge, Banana Man.
Bananas, honey and milk? I am so there.
For my first attempt this afternoon, I started with 16 ounces of milk, half a banana and a tablespoon of honey.
The result? Not nearly as banana-y and honey-ish as Banana Man’s.
Well played, BM. Well played.
But with the other half of the banana and another squirt of honey thrown in to the blender?
Still thin, plenty frothy and perfectly sweet.
As my friend Joey Tribbiani would say, How you doin’?
So here’s the deal. I opted for grass fed cow’s milk as my milk of choice, mostly because I was having trouble envisioning how well a non dairy milk might work here. I have no problem using almond milk in overnight oats, cereal or for splashing into smoothies, but I don’t ever pour myself a big honking class of almond milk and belly up to the table for a swig fest. You aren’t gonna get me to drink a glass of almond milk without chanting chug! chug! chug! and the promise of a good buzz.
We don’t typically drink milk here, but cow’s milk delivers a lot of protein, something I’m particularly mindful of right now, so I was happy to make an exception today. Exceptions are also eagerly made when white haired men with foreign accents throw down the banana blending gauntlet.
Challenge accepted.
Banana Honey Milk
16 oz of milk (I used 2%)
1 banana
2 tablespoons of honey
Blend until smooth. Serves 2. Or 1. Whatever.
Simple and delicious. A delightfully cold snack when you’re looking for something healthy and sweet.
If you try this and use a non dairy milk, please report back with your results! Our dairy free friends and Banana Men want to know.
This post reminded me of my husband, who insists on buying cow’s milk whenever we have cookies or cake in the house. (Which isn’t really that often) He says he absolutely cannot have a big glass of almond milk with his sweets.
My Mom used to make banana honey milk for us when we were little! I have never been able to get it to taste the same as hers though. I love almond milk straight up, but for a sweet treat I add some agave nectar and cinnamon to it. Mmmmmmm!
I love how you are so ….BRING IT….when his doubtful tone emerged!
That would have sent me straight to my blender too.
for some bizzar-oh reason bananas are making me GAG right now. so my smoothies are nanner free.
wierd.
anywho, good for you and I love almond milk for a lot of things but when I need to down a brownie, nothing beats ice cold cow milk, no?
Sounds wonderful!!!
i love this idea! banana honey milk is def on my list of things to try.
i also wanted to tell you that your blog is one of the few blogs i truly enjoy reading. not only that, but you have kids – and no offense, some blogs written by people who have kids are unbearable. suddenly, they have kids and all humor and food is taken off the table in favor of wayyyyy too many pictures of kids and things the general public doesn’t care about. i hope this doesn’t come off in the wrong way (i love kids! i swear!), but i just wanted you to know that your blog is fab and you master it beautifully.
and 7 months! eep! i feel like this pregnancy has gone by so fast. boy or girl? do we know?! 😉
You da’ bomb Holly, thank you for your sweet words.
As for #3, we’re holding out until his or her birthday! suspense!
We do almond milk, coconut milk, whatever “milk” banana honey milk (or similar – I use dates instead of honey frequently, or JUST banana….) a bunch here. Well loved.
A big glass of coconut milk seems more palatable than almond milk, maybe I’ll give that a whirl. And dates! Good thinking!
we make this with coconut and almond milk….we also add in some cacao powder!!! It reminds me of a Frosty from Wendy’s….(haven’t had one in years though!!!!)
cocoa powder! definitely doing this. NOW!