This banana syrup iced latte gets its fruit flavor from a strained homemade syrup, with espresso and cold milk keeping the drink smooth.
What is Banana Syrup Iced Latte?
A banana syrup iced latte is an espresso-and-milk drink sweetened with syrup made from ripe banana, brown sugar and water. The banana is simmered and strained rather than blended into the glass. This recipe makes one iced latte plus extra syrup, with cooling time included before the syrup meets the cold milk.
What It Tastes Like
Expect ripe-banana sweetness, a light brown-sugar note and roasted espresso softened by milk. The texture should be smooth rather than thick like a banana smoothie.
Jump to recipeQuestions & answers
Ingredients and Why They Matter
- Use a ripe banana with a clear banana aroma; the fruit flavors the syrup and is strained out, rather than blended into the drink.
- Light brown sugar gives the syrup a deeper flavor than white sugar. Pack the measuring cup lightly and level it.
- Milk changes both richness and sweetness. Start with unsweetened milk if you want the banana syrup to be the only added sweetener.
Banana Syrup Iced Latte recipe
Prep: 5 minCook: 8 minCool/chill: about 20 minTotal: about 33 min
Yield: 1 latte, plus extra syrup
Banana syrup — about 1/2 cup
- 1 ripe medium banana, sliced
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla flavoring
- Pinch of salt
For 1 latte
- 2 tablespoons cooled banana syrup from the batch above
- 2 shots espresso (about 2 fluid ounces), cooled slightly
- 3/4 cup cold milk of choice
- 1 cup ice
How to Make It
- Simmer the syrup. Combine banana, water, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring, until the banana softens and the sugar dissolves.
- Strain and cool. Strain into a heatproof container, pressing lightly without pushing the pulp through. Stir in vanilla. Allow about 20 minutes to cool; the actual time depends on the container and room temperature.
- Assemble. Put ice in a 16-ounce glass. Add 2 tablespoons syrup and the milk, then pour in the espresso. Stir and taste before adding more syrup.
Equipment
Small saucepan, fine sieve, heatproof jar, measuring spoons and a 16-ounce glass.
Pro Tips
No espresso machine? Use 1/4 cup strongly brewed coffee. This changes the intensity but keeps the liquid volume close.
Read the full ingredient list before measuring. Batch ingredients and the amount used to assemble a drink are listed separately where needed; do not add an entire syrup batch to a single glass. All measurements use US cups and spoons.
Banana Syrup Iced Latte troubleshooting
If the drink feels pulpy, strain the syrup again through a finer sieve. If it tastes too sweet, start with 1 tablespoon syrup next time.
Variations
Use the same measured amount of decaf espresso if preferred. For a dairy-free version, use an unsweetened oat drink; its flavor and texture will differ. Reduce the syrup to one tablespoon for a less sweet glass.
Storage
Refrigerate the syrup promptly in a clean, covered container and keep it separate from the milk and espresso. For advance preparation, make a small batch and plan to use it soon. Assemble the latte with fresh ice just before serving; storing the finished glass dilutes the drink as the ice melts.
Common Questions
Is banana syrup good in coffee?
Yes, if you enjoy fruit-flavored coffee. Start with 1–2 tablespoons of strained banana syrup per drink. Espresso adds roasted flavor while milk softens the sweetness. The syrup should be cooled and strained so the latte stays smooth.
What are the ingredients for a banana iced latte?
For one latte, use 2 tablespoons cooled banana syrup, two espresso shots, 3/4 cup milk, and ice. The homemade syrup uses banana, brown sugar, water, vanilla flavoring, and salt; you will have syrup left over.
Can I prepare it ahead?
Make the syrup ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Assemble the drink with fresh ice only when serving. Cool the syrup before mixing with milk or sparkling water.
Can I use decaf?
Yes. Replace the coffee or espresso with the same measured amount of decaf. It may still contain a small amount of caffeine. The milk, sweetness and preparation steps stay the same.
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Recipe testing confirmed by the site owner. Serving illustration is AI-generated, not a test photograph.
