History & Heritage
“The Tropical Monkey is a product of the modern cocktail era, emerging in the early 2000s without a singular documented origin. It represents the fun, accessible side of tropical mixology, prioritizing sweet indulgence over historical authenticity. The name playfully combines "tropical" for its flavor profile and "monkey" as a common association with bananas. Part of a family of similarly named modern cocktails like the "Dirty Monkey" and "Funky Monkey," these drinks found their niche in resort bars, cruise ships, and casual restaurants in tourist destinations, serving as gateway drinks for those new to cocktails while maintaining the spirit of tropical escapism.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
2 oz
1 oz
0.5 oz
0.5 whole
1 oz
1 oz
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a Hurricane or tall glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes
Drizzle chocolate syrup along the inside of the chilled glass in a swirling motion
Place glass back in freezer while preparing the drink
Combine aged rum, banana liqueur, coffee liqueur, ripe banana, coconut cream, and pineapple juice in a blender
Add 1 cup of ice to the blender
Blend on high speed until mixture is smooth and creamy with no large ice chunks
Pour blended mixture into the prepared chocolate-swirled glass
Top with generous dollop of whipped cream
Glassware
Served in a tall Hurricane glass with chocolate syrup swirl
Garnish
Fresh whipped cream dollop
1/4-inch thick wheel with small cut to sit on rim
Fresh cherry
Quality chocolate syrup drizzled inside glass
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use a ripe banana for maximum flavor - avoid under-ripe bananas
Freeze bananas beforehand for extra coldness and creaminess
Don't over-blend to avoid creating heat and making drink watery
Use quality chocolate syrup that clings to glass walls
Serve immediately to maintain frozen texture
Pre-chill glass to prevent rapid melting
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Tropical Monkey.
Coconut Rum Version
Enhanced tropical notes using coconut rum and reduced coconut cream.
Changes
Mocha Monkey
Chocolate liqueur replaces coffee liqueur for more dessert-like profile.
Changes
Dirty Monkey
Very similar blended drink, often considered the same cocktail.
Changes
Funky Monkey
Includes both gold and coconut rum with banana schnapps.
Changes
Non-Alcoholic Monkey
Family-friendly version without alcohol, enhanced with vanilla extract.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Virgin Piña Colada
Creamy pineapple and coconut served blender-smooth for a booze-free taste of the tropics.
Piña Colada
Blended white rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice create a creamy island escape in a glass.
Chi Chi
A tropical vodka cocktail that's essentially a Piña Colada made with vodka instead of rum – creamy, fruity, and refreshingly tropical.