💜💚💛 Mardi Gras Sips
It’s Mardi Gras season. The emails can wait, the jazz is playing, and suddenly regular coffee feels wildly underdressed. This latte showed up wearing beads — caramelized bananas, coconut cream, vanilla foam… honestly, it’s doing the most and we support it.
Quick mood check: This is the drink you make when you want a treat but don’t want to leave the house or put on real pants. Parade optional. Pyjamas encouraged.
Why You’ll Love It
- Sweet, cozy, and unapologetically fun
- Feels fancy, but it’s absolutely manageable
- Gives your kitchen torch something to do besides sit in a drawer
The Java Momma Twist
We brew this with Bananas Foster or Rum Buns coffee because if you’re already caramelizing fruit, you might as well commit. Regular espresso works too — we’re not here to judge your pantry.
Ingredients
For the latte
- 1 banana (reserve 4 slices for garnish)
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 cup oat milk
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar syrup
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 2 oz espresso or 4 oz strong brewed Bananas Foster or Rum Buns coffee
- 1/4 cup whipped vanilla topping, room temp
For the brûléed banana topper
- 4 banana slices (reserved)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (for caramelizing)
Method
- Brûlée the banana slices: Skewer the reserved banana slices. Sprinkle sugar over the top. Torch until golden and caramelized. Let cool.
- Blend the milk base: In a small blender, combine oat milk, coconut cream, remaining banana, and brown sugar syrup. Pulse until smooth.
- Strain: Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a frothing pitcher (keeps it extra smooth).
- Build the coffee: In a mug, add espresso (or strong coffee), brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir until dissolved.
- Warm + froth: Heat and froth the milk mixture to your preferred foam level.
- Pour + top: Gently pour milk over coffee. Add whipped vanilla topping and the brûléed banana slices.
Optional: Add a shot of coconut rum to the mug before the milk for an extra warming treat. Not required… but it is very on-theme.
Tips & Swaps
- No torch? Use your oven broiler for 1–2 minutes. Watch it like a hawk.
- Dairy-free: Already there. You’re doing great.
- Lower sugar: Use a sugar-free brown sugar syrup and skip the extra brown sugar in the mug if you want.
- Extra coconut: Add a pinch of toasted coconut on top if you’ve got it.
