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Banana Bread Latte

Name: Banana Bread Latte
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: Ice; 30ml homemade banana bread syrup (2 tbsp); 100ml cold whole milk (¼ cup + 3 tbsp); 40-50ml espresso or strongly brewed coffee (1-2 shots); 1 tsp soft light brown sugar; 50ml cold double cream or heavy cream (3 tbsp + 1 tsp); 10ml cold whole milk (2 tsp); 10g powdered sugar (1 tbsp); 30ml homemade banana bread syrup (2 tbsp); Ground cinnamon, for a light dusting

This iced banana bread latte turns the flavour of a warm banana loaf into a café-style coffee. Homemade banana bread syrup flavours both the drink and the soft banana cold foam, with brown sugar coffee and cinnamon bringing everything together.

10 min prep
10 min total
1 serves

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Layered iced banana bread latte with milk, syrup, ice and coffee.

Layered iced banana bread latte with milk, coffee, ice, creamy cold foam and a dusting of cinnamon.

brown sugar coffee, banana bread syrup and cinnamon-topped banana cold foam.

A note from my kitchen

I wanted this drink to taste like banana bread from the very first sip, rather than like an ordinary iced latte with a little banana syrup at the bottom. The homemade banana bread syrup is used twice: once in the actual drink and again in the cold foam.

That means that browned butter, sweet banana, dark brown sugar and cinnamon come through in both the coffee and the cream topping. A teaspoon of brown sugar softens the coffee, while the cinnamon dusting makes the whole drink smell a little like a banana loaf just out of the oven.

Once the syrup is made and chilled, the latte takes only a few minutes to assemble.

What Is a Banana Bread Latte?

A banana bread latte is a dessert-inspired coffee drink flavoured to taste like banana bread. This iced version combines homemade banana bread syrup, cold milk and brown sugar coffee, then finishes the glass with creamy banana cold foam and a light dusting of cinnamon.

The syrup is made with real banana and browned butter, so the drink has more depth than a basic banana latte. It’s creamy and sweet, but the strong coffee still keeps it balanced.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It tastes like banana bread in coffee form. The homemade syrup brings sweet banana, browned butter, dark brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon flavours into the drink.
The banana flavour runs through the whole latte. Banana bread syrup is used in both the coffee base and the cold foam.
It looks like a café drink. The milk, coffee and foam create visible layers before the latte is stirred.
It’s easy to assemble once the syrup is made. There’s no cooking involved in the latte itself.
The cold foam needs only four ingredients. Cream, milk, powdered sugar and banana bread syrup create a soft, creamy topping that works really well with this drink.
It’s the perfect fall drink. The drink stays cold and refreshing while the banana, brown sugar and cinnamon give it a cozy, warm flavour.

What Does It Taste Like?

The latte is creamy, lightly spiced and sweet, with ripe banana and toasted butter coming through first. Dark brown sugar and cinnamon also help give the syrup the flavour of banana bread.

The coffee adds bitterness and keeps the drink from becoming too dessert-like and overly sweet. The cold foam is richer and softer than the milk underneath, and the cinnamon on top adds warmth with every sip.

ingredient Notes

The exact measurements are in the recipe card further down the page.

Banana Bread Syrup

Use chilled homemade banana bread syrup. It flavours both the latte and the cold foam, so one batch is enough for the complete drink.

Coffee and Brown Sugar

Use two shots of espresso or 40-50ml of strongly brewed coffee. Stir the brown sugar in while the coffee is hot, then let it cool slightly before adding it to the iced glass.

Milk

Whole milk gives the latte a fuller texture, but use the milk you normally enjoy in iced coffee.

Ice

Fill the glass generously with ice so the latte stays cold after the coffee is added. Leave enough room at the top for the cold foam.

Banana Cold Foam

The cold foam is made with heavy cream, milk, powdered sugar and banana bread syrup. The syrup provides both sweetness and flavour, so you don’t need too much extra powdered sugar, but you can adjust the amounts of sugar and syrup to your taste.

Whip the cold foam ingredients until the mixture becomes airy and leaves a soft ribbon on the surface, but stop before it turns into stiff whipped cream. It should be thick but pourable.

Cinnamon

A light dusting at the end is enough. The cinnamon should add aroma without leaving a dry, powdery layer over the foam.

Equipment You’ll Need

You’ll need a tall glass, a coffee machine or another way to make strong coffee, a small jug, measuring spoons, a long spoon and a handheld milk frother or small electric whisk.

A narrow jug or mug helps a handheld frother or whisk move the cream and milk more effectively.

How to Make an Iced Banana Bread Latte

The full ingredient quantities are in the recipe card. The stages below explain the exact method and the texture changes to look for.

1. Sweeten the Coffee

Brew two shots of espresso or around 40-50ml of strong coffee. Stir in 1 teaspoon of soft brown sugar while the coffee is still hot, then set it aside for a few minutes.

2. Build the Latte Base

Fill a tall glass with ice, and then Pour 2 tablespoons of chilled banana bread syrup over the ice.

Ice and banana bread syrup in the bottom of a tall glass.

3. Add the Milk and Coffee

Pour the cold milk over the syrup and ice. Then, slowly pour the sweetened coffee over the milk. Leave a little space at the top of the glass for the foam.

Cold milk poured over banana bread syrup and ice.

Brown sugar coffee poured over milk in a layered iced latte.

4. Make the Banana Cold Foam

Add the heavy cream, milk, powdered sugar and banana bread syrup to a small jug.

Froth or whip until the mixture has increased slightly in volume and falls from the whisk in a slow ribbon. It should be thick, and sit over the latte nicely while still remaining soft enough to pour.

5. Finish the Latte

Pour the banana cold foam over the coffee, then finish with a light dusting of ground cinnamon.

Serve immediately with a straw or long spoon and stir as you drink so the syrup, milk, coffee and foam come together.

Banana cold foam poured over an iced banana latte.

A hand holding an iced banana bread latte topped with cinnamon.

What Should the Banana Cold Foam Look Like?

The foam should form a visible creamy layer over the latte but should not be stiff or scoopable.

When the frother or whisk is lifted, it should fall back into the jug in a soft ribbon and leave a gentle trail on the surface. If it still looks like plain cream and milk, keep whipping it. If it becomes too thick, stir in a teaspoon of cold milk to loosen it.

Tips for the Best Banana Bread Latte

Cool the syrup completely before using it in drinks. Warm syrup will melt the ice and make the cold foam harder to froth.
Sweeten the coffee while it’s hot. The brown sugar dissolves more easily in hot coffee.
Use strong coffee. The milk, syrup and cream can overpower weak coffee. If using instant coffee, you can use about 2 teaspoons of coffee in 40-50ml (1.4-1.7oz) of hot water.
Let the coffee cool briefly. This keeps the drink colder and reduces dilution.
Use cold cream and milk when making the foam.
Stop frothing or whipping before stiff peaks form. The topping should remain soft and pourable.
Leave room at the top of the glass for the cold foam.
Use a light hand with the cinnamon at the end.
Serve straight away. The ice will dilute the drink and the foam will slowly settle.
Stir before drinking. This will help distribute the syrup through the milk and coffee.

Make Ahead and Storage

The banana bread syrup can be made and kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

The coffee can also be brewed in advance if needed. Stir in the brown sugar while it’s hot, then cool and refrigerate it in a covered container.

Make the banana cold foam and assemble the latte just before serving. The finished drink isn’t suitable for storing because the ice melts and the foam loses volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Strong Coffee Instead of Espresso?

Yes. You can use 40-50ml of strongly brewed coffee so the flavour remains noticeable after adding the milk, syrup and foam. Alternatively, you can use 2 teaspoons of instant coffee mixed in 40-50ml of hot water.

Can I Make the Latte Without Cold Foam?

Yes. The latte still works with just the banana bread syrup, ice, milk and brown sugar coffee. The foam adds a richer texture and another layer of banana bread flavour, but it’s completely optional.

How Much Banana Bread Syrup Should I Use?

Two tablespoons gives a clear banana bread flavour in a large iced latte. Use 1 tablespoon for a less sweet drink or add a little more after tasting.

Why Is My Banana Cold Foam Not Thickening?

The cream and milk may not be cold enough, or the jug may be too wide for the frother or whisk to create enough movement.

Use chilled ingredients and a narrow jug or mug, then continue whipping until the mixture becomes airy and thick and falls in a soft ribbon.

Why Is My Cold Foam Too Thick?

It’s been whipped for too long. Add 1 teaspoon of cold milk and stir gently until it becomes pourable again.

Can I Make the Latte Less Sweet?

Reduce or omit the brown sugar in the coffee first. The banana bread syrup gives the drink most of its flavour, so reducing it too much will also make the latte taste less like banana bread. You can also reduce the amount of sugar in the cold foam if needed.

Can I Use Store-Bought Banana Syrup?

You can use it to make a banana latte, but it won’t taste exactly the same. The homemade banana bread syrup includes browned butter, real banana, dark brown sugar and cinnamon, which give this drink its baked banana bread flavour.

More Café-Style Drinks

The homemade banana bread syrup used here can also be stirred into hot coffee or used in banana cold foam.

You might also like my creme brulee latte or tiramisu latte.

You can also browse the full drink recipes archive.

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