This ‘Monkey Business’ cocktail tastes just like banana bread

While many people may have used their extra time at home recently to start a new workout program or remodel their house, baking has also become a popular quarantine hobby. If you’re like me and have been baking far too many goodies these past few months, I have a cocktail recipe that will help you use those uneaten treats up.

Yes, I said a cocktail recipe that calls for baked goods — banana bread, in fact! Maria Nabi, a New York-based bartender, came up with a drink called Monkey Business that calls for Johnnie Walker Black Label scotch that’s been infused with banana bread. Don’t worry, it’s not as difficult to prepare as it sounds.

You’ll first have to make banana bread, but then you simply pour two cups of Johnnie Walker, or other whisky of choice, over some toasted chunks of the bread and let it sit overnight. Then, you’ll strain it to remove out any bread pieces, leaving you with a lovely banana bread-flavored spirit you infused yourself. Now you’re ready to start making the cocktail!

Here’s a detailed recipe for making the infused liquor, according to Nabi.

BANANA BREAD INFUSION

1 1/2 cups toasted banana bread, broken into chunks

2 cups Johnnie Walker Black Label

Combine ingredients and allow to sit overnight at room temperature. Strain through a mesh strainer and again through a cheesecloth or coffee filter to get the particulars out.

Nabi shared her ingenious cocktail recipe on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” You can watch her make the signature drink below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_-kvFM2KFc

Here’s the full recipe if you’d like to try making it yourself:

THE MONKEY BUSINESS

1 1/2 ounces Johnnie Walker Black Label infused with banana bread

3/4  ounce lemon juice

3/4 ounce honey syrup (made with 3 parts honey to 1 part water)

1 egg white

Mix all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and “dry” shake with 1 small piece of ice for at least 15 seconds. Add more ice and shake. Strain into a stemmed wine glass or coupe glass.

Not a fan of whisky but you love banana-flavored drinks? Check out this recipe for banana pudding shots made with instant vanilla pudding mix, vanilla wafer cookies, rum, Cool Whip and half a banana.

Don’t let those overripe bananas go to waste!