Booze Up Banana Bread With One Sweet Liqueur

For many home chefs, the idea of making another predictable loaf of basic banana bread doesn't ignite much excitement. Tired of following the same traditional banana bread recipe, Food Republic spoke to executive chef Cédric Vongerichten, who will be attending City Harvest's Bid 2024. According to the owner and executive chef of restaurants Wayan and Ma•dé in NYC, alter your standard lineup of ingredients and take your banana bread to the next level by including dark rum or banana liqueur. Vongerichten stated, "Dark rum or banana liqueur pairs well with banana bread, enhancing the banana flavor and adding complexity." 

By definition, rum is composed of fermented sugarcane molasses, which gives this liquor a caramel-like quality. While light run is usually colorless and has a more neutral flavor, dark rum carries a deeper, more developed taste. More often than not, it has heavy notes of vanilla, molasses, and various spices – all of which heighten banana bread.

When considering the ingredients behind your particular recipe, it pays to also think about the various mix-in options you have — including maple syrup, chopped nuts, chocolate, and warming spices like cinnamon and clove. If you're looking for a simple way to enhance the flavor of these added ingredients, listen to Vongerichten and use a bit of banana liqueur to help enhance the fruit taste in your loaf.

Even though you can spruce up your tired banana bread with a bonus layer, Cédric Vongerichten believes a little rum or banana liqueur adds an unexpected yet satisfying taste to this versatile treat. However, you want to be sure the alcohol you choose packs enough of a punch to be noticeable — especially regarding rum.

Since you only need roughly two tablespoons of rum to enhance this baked good, choose a variety that highlights the underlying flavors of your recipe. A surefire way to enhance a no-frills loaf is to use a bit of Caribbean rum such as Mount Gay or Cruzan Rum. Caribbean rums are often the most complex and typically have a distinct molasses taste, which can brighten most recipes.

For banana bread laced with chocolate or some strong spices, you may want to choose banana liqueur (aka crème de banane) to make sure the banana flavor doesn't get buried. Tempus Fugit crème de banana liqueur has notes of chocolate and spice that will pair well with your bread, but its intense banana flavor will ensure your recipe still tastes like its named ingredient.

Truthfully though, any dark rum or banana liqueur will get the job done. However, for added assurance, taste-test your chosen variety before adding it to your bread batter. This will help you determine exactly what inclusions (from cinnamon to walnuts) you should add to your dough.