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Why Peanut Butter and Banana Just Work in Buttered Monkey Cocktail
I still remember Grandma Rosa handing me ripe bananas while she toasted pan con mantequilla in Lima. “Sweet needs fat,” she’d say, slicing a pat of butter like it was gold. When we moved to California, I added peanut butter to the mix—because what kid didn’t? That creamy-salty-sweet trio became my flavor baseline. Years later, during a debugging break from coding, I mixed banana liqueur with Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey just to test an idea. It sang. The Buttered Monkey Cocktail was born—not from bartending school, but from childhood cravings and late-night creativity.
That balance of sweet banana, rich nutty whiskey, and creamy texture makes it unforgettable. Unlike fruitier cocktails like the Peanut Butter Cup Martini, this one delivers comfort in a glass. It’s dessert and drink in one—but not cloying or too heavy. Just the right kind of indulgent.

Buttered Monkey Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Coupe or rocks glass
Ingredients
half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1.5 oz peanut butter whiskey
- 1 oz banana liqueur
- 1 oz half-and-half or heavy cream
- ice for shaking
Optional Garnish
- banana slice or grated nutmeg
- chocolate syrup to swirl glass
Instructions
- Fill shaker with ice and add peanut butter whiskey, banana liqueur, and cream.
- Shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
- Strain into a coupe or rocks glass (swirled with chocolate if desired).
- Garnish with banana or nutmeg. Serve immediately.
Notes
A Creamy Cousin to Familiar Favorites
You might compare it to a Peanut Butter White Russian or even the Chocolate Milkshake White Russian. But here’s where the Buttered Monkey swings in a different direction—it adds a ripe, tropical note thanks to banana liqueur. That twist takes the creamy base and gives it personality. This isn’t just a cocktail—it’s a whole vibe.
Whether you’re sipping it in front of a fireplace or whipping up rounds at your next game night, this cocktail brings the joy. It bridges nostalgia and novelty—something that feels both new and deeply familiar. And isn’t that what the best drinks do?
Exploring Funky, Dirty, and Cheeky Cousins
Once you’ve tasted a Buttered Monkey Cocktail, curiosity kicks in: what are all these other “monkey” drinks people mention? Let’s break them down.
A Funky Monkey Cocktail usually blends chocolate liqueur, banana liqueur, and cream—think boozy banana split. It’s sweet and fun but misses the nutty depth that makes the Buttered Monkey sing. A Dirty Monkey Cocktail, on the other hand, ups the game with rum, banana, coffee liqueur, and cream—tropical, bold, and often blended with ice like an island milkshake. Then there’s the Cheeky Monkey Cocktail, typically made with vodka and banana liqueur—a lighter, sharper variation that skips the creaminess for something more spirited.
What ties them together is the banana base—but each one goes in its own direction. The Buttered Monkey stands apart because it captures the creamy indulgence of a Dirty Snowman Cocktail while keeping the drink smooth and surprisingly sippable. It’s the most “dessert-meets-cocktail” of the bunch.
If you’re craving an even more rum-forward option, you might enjoy the Drunken Monkey Rum Cocktail, which adds pineapple for a punchier, beachy feel.

Serving Suggestions That Elevate the Sip of Buttered Monkey Cocktail
The Buttered Monkey Cocktail isn’t just a recipe—it’s a mood. Serve it in a chilled coupe or rocks glass, preferably with a large ice cube or neat if you want to keep the cream velvety. A swirl of chocolate syrup around the glass gives it a playful edge. Want to go next level? Garnish with a peanut butter cookie or brûléed banana slice.
This drink fits right in at cozy holiday parties, dessert bars, or even a cheeky brunch (seriously, it pairs shockingly well with pancakes). If you’re into indulgent nightcaps, it’s a natural follow-up to a Pink Russian Cocktail or a smooth after-dinner sipper.
Still, the best part of serving this cocktail is the look people give after the first sip—eyebrows raised, then smiles. “What is this?” they ask. You smile and say, “Just something I learned from a Peruvian-American food blogger who used to chase flavors instead of Pokémon.”
The Core Ingredients That Make It Sing
You only need a few ingredients to make the Buttered Monkey Cocktail—but choosing the right ones transforms it from good to unforgettable.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey – This is the heart. It brings smooth, salty-sweet richness.
- Banana Liqueur – Use Giffard or 99 Bananas, depending on how bold you want the banana flavor.
- Half-and-Half or Heavy Cream – Adds silky texture and binds the flavors. For a vegan version, use oat or coconut cream.
- Ice – Shake it cold, always.
Optional but highly recommended:
- Chocolate syrup – Swirled inside the glass for extra flair.
- Cinnamon or nutmeg – A pinch on top adds warmth and contrast.
It takes only 2 minutes to shake and pour, but every sip hits like you’ve made something special—like you didn’t just throw things in a shaker, but made a deliberate choice to treat yourself.

Steps to Build the Perfect Buttered Monkey
- Add 1.5 oz peanut butter whiskey, 1 oz banana liqueur, and 1 oz cream into a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 10 seconds to chill and emulsify.
- Strain into a coupe or rocks glass (optionally pre-swirled with chocolate syrup).
- Garnish with a banana slice or grated nutmeg.
Want it blended like a frozen cocktail? Toss everything in a blender with crushed ice—it becomes a creamy boozy milkshake, especially if you add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Think of it as a cousin to a grown-up Chocolate Milkshake White Russian, but nuttier and bolder.
For parties, scale it up in a pitcher and keep it chilled. It’s a conversation starter—even among people who “don’t do sweet drinks.”
FAQs About the Buttered Monkey Cocktail
What’s in a buttered monkey?
A Buttered Monkey Cocktail combines peanut butter whiskey, banana liqueur, and cream. It’s a dessert-style drink with a rich, nutty flavor and a creamy texture—often garnished with chocolate syrup or banana slices.
What is in a funky monkey cocktail?
The Funky Monkey Cocktail typically includes banana liqueur, chocolate liqueur, and cream. It’s a sweet, blended drink that leans into dessert territory, like a boozy banana milkshake.
What is in a dirty monkey cocktail?
The Dirty Monkey Cocktail blends banana liqueur, rum, coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), and cream. It’s often served frozen and brings in deep, tropical dessert vibes with a kick.
What’s in a cheeky monkey cocktail?
The Cheeky Monkey is simpler—usually just vodka and banana liqueur. It’s lighter, sharper, and more straightforward than its cream-based cousins.
Conclusion
The Buttered Monkey Cocktail is more than just a recipe—it’s a story in a glass. It speaks of childhood comfort and grown-up indulgence, sweet balance and smooth depth. Whether you’re mixing one for a holiday nightcap, a decadent dessert pairing, or just because Tuesday needs something special, it delivers flavor with soul.
Want more boozy dessert drinks like this? Check out Peanut Butter Cup Martini or Drunken Monkey Rum Cocktail for another nutty spin. or check our Facebook