featured 80649 1

Korean Banana Bliss

Korean Banana Milk: A Creamy, Dreamy Delight You Can Make at Home

Indulge in the irresistible sweetness of Korean Banana Milk, a cold, creamy, and utterly delightful treat inspired by the iconic Binggrae brand. With just five simple ingredients, you can whip up this delicious drink in minutes and transport your taste buds to a world of banana bliss!

Homemade Korean banana milk in a glass bottle, garnished with a banana slice and mint sprig
Enjoy a refreshing glass of homemade Korean Banana Milk!

If you’ve ever strolled through a Korean grocery store like H-Mart, you’ve likely encountered Binggrae’s banana milk, presented in charming bottles or convenient tetra packs. While undeniably tasty, it can be a relatively pricey indulgence, especially considering its humble ingredients: milk, water, sugar, dextrin, banana juice concentrate, artificial flavors, and gums.

However, its undeniably delicious flavor profile and smooth texture make it a worthwhile experience. Think of it as the grown-up version of the strawberry milk you cherished as a child, but infused with the luscious flavor of a banana milkshake. It’s rich and silky on the palate, yet surprisingly light and refreshing.

Interestingly, the charm of Korean Banana Milk, which gained popularity over four decades ago, lies not in its inherently Korean nature, but rather in the brand that popularized it. This makes it incredibly easy to recreate at home, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can blend up this delectable concoction in your own kitchen.

For those who harbor an aversion to bananas, this recipe might not be for you. However, for everyone else who eagerly anticipates baking a loaf of cinnamon sugar banana bread with overripe bananas, prepare to be captivated by this delightful drink.

A close-up of Korean banana milk in a glass bottle with striped straws.
This banana milk is so simple to make!

Why This Homemade Banana Milk is Worth Making

  • Unbelievably Simple: Even easier than a smoothie!
  • Dessert in a Glass: A sweet treat without the guilt.
  • Easily Dairy-Free: Customize it to your dietary needs.
  • Boost with Protein: Add protein powder for a more satisfying beverage.

The Key Ingredients for Authentic Korean Banana Milk

Unlike smoothies, which often boast a lengthy list of ingredients, banana milk requires just five – and that includes water! Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious drink:

  1. Banana: The star of the show! Opt for a ripe banana that’s just beginning to brown and develop a few freckles. Avoid bananas that are overly ripe or have green spots, as this can affect the texture of the final drink. Frozen bananas are also a great option.
  2. Milk: Traditionally, this drink is made with dairy milk. I recommend using 2% milk for the optimal balance of richness and flavor. However, you can easily adapt this recipe to be dairy-free by using a plant-based milk alternative. Coconut milk is a personal favorite for dairy-free banana milk, while A2 2% milk is a great choice when I’m craving dairy.
  3. Water: This helps to thin out the consistency of the drink, preventing it from becoming overly thick.
  4. Sweetener: Depending on the ripeness of your banana, you may want to add a touch of sweetener. Honey is a delicious option, but maple syrup can also be used. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste after blending.
  5. Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle warmth and enhances the overall flavor profile of the drink. Be sure to use pure vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla, for the best results.
A bottle of creamy banana milk with two striped straws and banana slices.
Enjoy your homemade banana milk right away for the best flavor.

How to Make Authentic Korean Banana Milk at Home

Korean Banana Milk is best enjoyed fresh, as it doesn’t keep well for extended periods. Fortunately, it’s incredibly easy to make! Simply add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend for a few seconds – it’s ready in just a couple of minutes.

Step 1: Add ingredients to the blender.
  1. Add all ingredients to a blender: ripe banana, milk, water, sweetener, and vanilla extract.
Step 2: Blend until smooth and creamy.
  1. Process on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Pour into a glass or bottle.
  1. Pour the freshly blended banana milk into your favorite bottle or glass.
Step 4: Enjoy immediately, garnished with mint.
  1. Enjoy immediately. Garnish with a slice of banana and a sprig of fresh mint for a refreshing and aesthetically pleasing touch (though the mint is a non-traditional addition).

My Pro Tips

Tips for the Best Tasting Homemade Banana Milk

  • Keep it Cold: Ensure both the milk and water are thoroughly chilled. Banana flavor is typically best enjoyed cold, and this drink is no exception.
  • Drink Immediately: Avoid storing the drink after making it. The banana can oxidize and turn brown after a couple of hours, which isn’t visually appealing.
  • Don’t Freeze: Freezing banana milk is not recommended, as it can alter the texture and flavor.
  • Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Depending on your preference and the ripeness of your banana, you may not need any added sweetener at all. If you prefer bananas with a hint of green, you might find the natural sweetness of the banana sufficient.
  • Balance with Salt: A pinch of salt can help to balance the sweetness if needed.
  • Avoid Underripe Bananas: An underripe banana will result in a grainy, unpleasant texture.
  • Strain for Extra Smoothness: For an ultra-smooth and refined drink, you can strain the blended milk through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any remaining banana fibers.
Homemade banana milk in a glass with a banana slice and mint leaf.
The mint garnish adds a refreshing touch to this classic drink.

What to Enjoy with Your Homemade Banana Milk

Banana milk is a delightful treat on its own, but if you’re looking for some delicious pairings to create a more satisfying snack or light meal, here are a few suggestions:

  • Sweet potato banana muffins
  • Banana zucchini muffins
  • Peanut butter banana muffins
  • Banana chia bites
Korean Banana Milk
By:
Gina Matsoukas
Servings:
1 servings
Prep:
5 mins
Total:
5 mins
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe
A glass bottle filled with creamy milk, garnished with a banana slice and mint sprig. Two striped straws are in the bottle, which is placed on a blue tray with another smoothie in the background.
A quick, blender banana milk inspired by the Korean classic, made with five simple ingredients. Creamy but light, lightly sweet and best enjoyed cold right after blending.

Ingredients

1x
2x
3x

  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1/2 cup 2% milk, chilled
  • 1/2 cup water, chilled
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Place the banana, milk, water, honey and vanilla extract into a blender. Blend on high speed for 1 minute until smooth.
  • Pour into a glass or milk bottle and let rest for 2 minutes. Enjoy immediately.

Nutrition

Serving:
1SERVING
Calories:
221kcal
Carbohydrates:
46g
Protein:
5g
Fat:
3g
Saturated Fat:
2g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat:
1g
Trans Fat:
0.1g
Cholesterol:
9mg
Sodium:
64mg
Potassium:
634mg
Fiber:
3g
Sugar:
32g
Vitamin A:
196IU
Vitamin C:
11mg
Calcium:
173mg
Iron:
0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course:
Drinks
Cuisine:
Korean
TRIED THIS RECIPE?
COMMENT + RATE BELOW!