Effortless Dirty Monkey Cocktail

Featured in Food That Makes People Think You've Got Life Figured Out.

Craving beach vibes at home? Try this Dirty Monkey for a frosty mashup of banana, creamy coconut, Kahlua, and rum. It’s perfect when you want a party in your glass or to turn any day into a mini escape.

Clare Recipes
Updated on Sat, 17 May 2025 17:15:58 GMT
Chocolatey frozen drink covered with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate, with a lemon sitting behind it. Pin it
Chocolatey frozen drink covered with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate, with a lemon sitting behind it. | lilicooks.com

I whipped up this Dirty Monkey drink for my summer get-togethers and it’s always the first thing gone. It tastes like a frozen treat in a glass—just crazy good with banana, coconut, some rum and Kahlua in the mix. When I swirl chocolate sauce inside the cup and pile on whipped cream with a cherry, it takes me right back to banana splits from my childhood. Only now, there’s booze. Even better.

Irresistible Crowd-Pleaser Cocktail

Everybody I know loses their mind over this drink. It honestly feels like taking a sunny island trip with every sip. That banana and pineapple mixed up with coffee liqueur and rum is kind of magic together. Pool days, backyard hangouts—these are my go-to. Quick to make and folks are always demanding the secret for it.

What You'll Need Behind the Bar

  • Chill stuff: Scoop up 3 or 4 cups of ice so you get that frosty vibe
  • Pick the Extras: Top it all with whipped cream, lots of chocolate syrup, and finish with a cherry
  • Get Fruity: Two super-ripe bananas work best, sweeter is better
  • Go Creamy: Pour in 1/3 cup coconut cream for that dreamy texture
  • Liquor Love: You’ll want 1 ounce Kahlua and 1 and a half ounces aged rum
  • Add Pineapple: Half a cup crushed from a can is easiest, fresh is awesome if you’ve got it

Fun and Easy Dirty Monkey Mix

All About the Finishing Touches
Fill your glasses with the frozen blender goodness. Load it up with whipped cream, zig-zag on more chocolate, and top with that cherry.
Glasses Get Glam
Pour chocolate sauce inside the cups to make ‘em look extra fancy. Just twirl it around.
Add the Boozy Stuff
Now dump in the Kahlua and rum. Hit blend again, then toss in your ice and blend until nice and thick.
Blend Up the Fruits
Start with your bananas, pineapple, and coconut cream in the blender. Pulse it ‘til it’s super smooth.
Tall glass filled with a creamy chocolate drink, crowned with fluffy whipped cream and chocolate flakes, with a lemon sitting at the back. Pin it
Tall glass filled with a creamy chocolate drink, crowned with fluffy whipped cream and chocolate flakes, with a lemon sitting at the back. | lilicooks.com

Pro Tips for Killer Cocktails

I swap in dark rum sometimes when I’m craving bold flavor. Coconut rum is awesome when you want it really tropical. My sister always requests hers with mango instead of pineapple. For family parties with kids, I just leave out the booze and the little ones feel like they’re sipping grown-up drinks too.

How to Keep That Drink Snowy

It’s best fresh, right after blending, while it’s icy and smooth. If you’re prepping ahead, toss the mix in the freezer and hit it with the blender quick before serving. Sprinkling toasted coconut on that big whipped cream crown? Takes it over the top every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this drink without alcohol?

Sure thing! Just skip the rum and Kahlua. Use chocolate milk plus some coffee to still get a tasty mix with similar vibes.

→ What type of rum works best?

I’d go for an aged rum, since it brings nice toasty caramel flavor. But really, golden or dark rum is just fine too.

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

You’ll want to blend and serve it right away. If you let it sit, the ice melts, and it loses that thick, icy feel fast.

→ What can I substitute for coconut cream?

You can try heavy cream or half-and-half in a pinch—just remember you won’t get the coconut kick. Coconut milk works but your drink won’t be as thick.

→ Can I use frozen bananas?

Frozen bananas are perfect! They turn the drink extra frosty. If you use frozen, you can toss in less ice, too.

Effortless Dirty Monkey Cocktail

Chill out with a smooth frozen blend of bananas, coconut cream, and rum. Coffee liqueur and a splash of chocolate make this drink rich, sweet, and super fun for any getaway mood.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
5 Minutes
By: Lily Chen

Category: Party & Snacks

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 drinks)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 8 oz pineapple, crushed.
02 2 bananas, fully ripe.
03 4 oz dark rum, aged.
04 8 oz coconut cream.
05 2 oz coffee-flavored liqueur (like Kahlua).
06 Chocolate syrup for decoration.
07 Whipped cream to top.
08 Maraschino cherries for garnish.
09 3-4 cups of ice cubes.

Instructions

Step 01

Throw bananas, coconut cream, and pineapple into the blender.

Step 02

Whizz everything until smooth and creamy.

Step 03

Add the rum and coffee liqueur to the blender.

Step 04

Dump in the ice cubes next.

Step 05

Give it another blend to mix everything well.

Step 06

Drizzle chocolate syrup around the glass interiors.

Step 07

Transfer the blended drink into your glasses.

Step 08

Top off with whipped cream and a cherry.

Notes

  1. Enjoy right after making for the best flavor.
  2. Crushed can be swapped with juice from fresh pineapple.
  3. Sweeter drinks happen with extra ripe bananas.
  4. Look for coconut cream near international foods.
  5. Aged rums bring out notes of caramel.

Tools You'll Need

  • Blender.
  • Tall hurricane glasses.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy from whipped cream.
  • Coconut is a tree nut.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 394
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 62 g
  • Protein: 2 g