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    Home » Desserts

    Monkey Milkshake

    Published: Jan 25, 2023 · Modified: Jun 20, 2025 by Ashley · As an Amazon affiliate, this post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    This Monkey Milkshake is a quick and easy treat made by combining banana, coconut and chocolate flavors with vanilla ice cream. You'll go ape over this milkshake!

    Monkey milkshake in a tall glass with whipped cream and chocolate syrup on top

    Eons ago, my husband and I took a very late honeymoon to Mexico. We had been married almost 2 years. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort outside Cancun and ate & drank to our heart's content. The drinks were so good I took a picture of the menu to bring home with me in an attempt to recreate them at home. 

    My favorite drink from this vacation was called the "Dirty Monkey" and consisted of bananas, coconut cream, chocolate and of course rum, blended with ice. It had fruit in it so it must've been healthy, right?

    I've recreated a version of it at home but wanted to create something my kids could also enjoy. This sweet treat takes all the delicious flavors of the Dirty Monkey, minus the rum, and blends it up with vanilla ice cream. 

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step-by-Step Ingredients
    • Recipe Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other Dessert Recipes You'll Love
    • Monkey Milkshake

    Ingredient Notes

    • Vanilla ice cream - Good quality is always best for the creamiest milkshake. Any variation like New York Vanilla, Vanilla Bean or French Vanilla will work fine.
    • Bananas - Yellow with some brown spots work best and provide the best flavor. Aim for the same ripeness as you'd use for banana bread.
    • Cream of coconut - This is what really sends the milkshake over the top. It's sweet, coconut-y and so, so good! It also replaces the use of regular milk used in other milkshakes.
    • Chocolate syrup - The flavor combines perfectly with the banana & coconut.
    Milkshake ingredients

    Step-by-Step Ingredients

    This Monkey Milkshake is so simple to make and only requires 4 ingredients. Here's how to make it:

    Step 1: Grab your ingredients. - I love recipes that I can count the ingredients for on one hand. You want to collect everything you need before beginning so you can get to enjoying this milkshake sooner rather than later!

    Step 2: Blend. - To make the shake, simply combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

    Step 3: Garnish & serve. - Pour milkshake into a tall glass. Top with a generous helping of whipped cream, drizzle with extra chocolate syrup, and serve immediately!

    Overhead shot of milkshake being poured into glass

    Recipe Tips

    • Ice cream - It can be hard to measure ice cream precisely, but luckily it doesn't have to be exact. You are looking for about 1 ½ cups, which I've found to be about 4 nicely-sized scoops.
    • Bananas - Whenever I have extra bananas that get a little too ripe, I stick them in the freezer. They work great for banana bread, Banana Oatmeal Cookies and this milkshake! Frozen bananas will help to thicken the milkshake as well, but either can be used.
    • Coconut cream - It's usually found in grocery stores or liquor stores by the drink making stuff, like margarita mix and ginger beer.

    FAQ

    Is cream of coconut the same as coconut cream?

    Coconut cream is the cream from coconut milk and is naturally unsweetened. Cream of coconut is a sweetened version that is essentially a coconut syrup, similar to sweetened condensed milk. You want to use cream of coconut for this recipe. Find more info about the differences here.

    Can I add alcohol?

    Absolutely! Turn this milkshake into a dirty monkey milkshake by adding a shot (or two) of white rum to the blender. Warning: if you drink too many, you may start acting like a monkey!

    Can I make a dairy-free version?

    Dairy free options of ice cream and milk can be used to make this milkshake dairy-free.

    Overhead view of milkshake with whipped cream, chocolate syrup and banana slice

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    5 from 1 vote

    Monkey Milkshake

    This Monkey Milkshake is a quick and easy treat made by combining banana, coconut and chocolate flavors with vanilla ice cream. You'll go ape over this milkshake!
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Total Time5 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert, Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: banana coconut milkshake, banana milkshake, coconut milkshake
    Servings: 1 serving
    Author: Ashley Leonard

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups vanilla ice cream about 4 scoops
    • 1 very ripe banana
    • ¼ cup cream of coconut
    • 1 tbsp. chocolate syrup plus extra for topping
    • whipped cream for topping, optional

    Instructions

    • Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
      1 ½ cups vanilla ice cream, 1 very ripe banana, ¼ cup cream of coconut, 1 tbsp. chocolate syrup
    • Pour milkshake into glass, top with whipped cream and extra chocolate syrup. Serve immediately. Makes 1-16 oz. milkshake.

    Notes

    Use frozen bananas for a thicker milkshake.
    Be sure to use cream of coconut, not just coconut cream. Read more about this in the FAQ section of this post!

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    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    Welcome to The Darling Apron! I'm a wife, mom, & chai tea latte lover who uses food as her love language. I believe some of life's best moments happen when gathered around the kitchen table. Whether making time-honored family recipes or developing new favorites, I love creating memories through delicious food. I hope this space inspires you to do the same!

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