If you’ve been searching for a party shot that tastes like a tropical vacation in a glass, this Funky Monkey is about to become your new favorite. 🍌 I created this recipe using 99 Bananas liqueur, and it delivers that perfect balance of sweet banana flavor with just enough kick to keep things interesting.
What makes this shot so addictive is how it goes down smooth—no harsh alcohol burn, just creamy banana goodness with a tropical twist. It’s the kind of shot that has everyone asking “What’s in this?” before immediately requesting another round.
You’ll end up with a bright, fun shot that tastes like liquid candy but packs enough punch to get the party started. The 99 bananas brings bold banana flavor while the other ingredients balance it into something dangerously drinkable. Perfect for beach parties, game day, or any time you want to shake things up.
Let’s mix up this crowd-pleaser! 🌴
Ingredients for 99 bananas funky monkey
Here’s everything you need to create this tropical Funky Monkey shot that tastes like vacation.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 99 Bananas Liqueur 🍌 | 2 oz | Chilled for best taste |
| Coconut Rum 🥥 | 1 oz | Malibu or similar brand |
| Pineapple Juice 🍍 | 2 oz | Fresh or quality canned |
| Cream of Coconut 🥥 | ½ oz | Coco López preferred |
| Vanilla Vodka 🍸 | ½ oz | Adds smooth sweetness |
| Banana 🍌 | ¼ whole | Fresh, ripe for garnish |
| Whipped Cream 🍦 | 2 tbsp | For topping shots |
| Maraschino Cherries 🍒 | 4 whole | Optional garnish |
| Ice Cubes 🧊 | 1 cup | For shaking cocktail |
| Cinnamon 🌰 | 1 pinch | Optional rim dusting |
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You can find 99 Bananas liqueur at most liquor stores—it’s a bright yellow bottle that’s hard to miss. For coconut rum, Malibu is the classic choice and widely available. Cream of coconut (Coco López brand) is in the mixer section, not with regular coconut milk. Look for fresh pineapple juice in the refrigerated section at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s for the best flavor, though Dole canned works perfectly fine.
Don’t have vanilla vodka? Regular vodka with a drop of vanilla extract works great. If you can’t find cream of coconut, mix equal parts coconut milk and simple syrup as a substitute. Fresh pineapple juice tastes incredible, but quality canned juice like Dole is actually quite good and much more convenient. Skip the whipped cream for a cleaner shot that’s easier to down quickly.
Store opened 99 Bananas and coconut rum in a cool, dark cabinet for up to 2 years. Keep cream of coconut refrigerated after opening and use within 2 weeks. Fresh pineapple juice lasts 3-5 days refrigerated in an airtight container.
Step-by-Step Instructions for 99 Bananas Funky Monkey
Let me show you how to mix this crowd-pleasing shot in under two minutes.
🍹 Step 1: Chill Your Ingredients and Glassware
Start by placing your shot glasses in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before serving. I always do this first—frosty glasses keep the shot ice-cold and make the presentation look professional. While the glasses chill, make sure your 99 Bananas liqueur and chocolate liqueur are cold from the fridge. Room temperature liqueurs won’t blend as smoothly and the shot loses that crisp, refreshing quality.
If you’re making multiple shots for a party, I recommend chilling a cocktail shaker too. The colder everything is from the start, the less ice you’ll need, which means less dilution and more intense banana-chocolate flavor in every sip.
🍳 Step 2: Combine and Shake Vigorously
Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Pour in 1 ounce 99 Bananas liqueur and 1 ounce chocolate liqueur. Seal the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker becomes frosty cold to the touch. You’ll hear the ice breaking up inside—that’s exactly what you want.
The shaking action does more than just chill; it aerates the liqueurs and creates a silky smooth texture. I shake hard enough that my arm gets a little workout—this ensures the chocolate and banana flavors marry together perfectly instead of tasting like two separate liqueurs.
🥃 Step 3: Strain and Serve Immediately
Remove your chilled shot glasses from the freezer and strain the mixture evenly between them. The liquid should have a beautiful golden-brown color with a slight froth on top from the vigorous shaking. Serve immediately while ice-cold—this shot is best enjoyed when it’s so cold you can barely taste the alcohol.
Hand them out to your guests right away. The Funky Monkey loses its magic if it sits too long and warms up. Each shot should taste like liquid banana candy with a smooth chocolate finish that goes down dangerously easy.
Flavor Customization for This Recipe
Make it Sweeter: Add ½ oz vanilla vodka or ½ oz cream liqueur (like Rumchata or Baileys) to amplify the dessert-like quality. You can also rim the shot glass with 1 tbsp honey mixed with crushed graham crackers for a banana cream pie effect. The extra sweetness makes it taste more like candy and less boozy, perfect for guests who prefer smoother drinks. I sometimes add ¼ oz butterscotch schnapps for caramel notes that complement the banana beautifully. 🍯
Make it Tropical: Boost the island vibes by adding ½ oz coconut rum (like Malibu) and ¼ oz pineapple juice to create a more complex tropical profile. Replace regular pineapple juice with fresh-squeezed for brighter, more authentic flavor. You can also muddle 2-3 fresh mint leaves in the shaker before mixing to add an herbal freshness that cuts through the sweetness. This variation tastes like a vacation—think piña colada meets banana daiquiri. 🌴
Make it Chocolate: Transform this into a chocolate-banana dream by adding ½ oz chocolate liqueur (Godiva or Mozart are excellent) or ¼ oz crème de cacao. The chocolate-banana combination is naturally perfect, tasting like frozen chocolate-covered bananas from the boardwalk. For extra richness, add ½ oz heavy cream and shake vigorously to create a creamy, dessert-like texture. Garnish with chocolate shavings or a mini Nilla wafer on the rim for presentation. 🍫
Make it Tangy: Cut the sweetness with ½ oz fresh lime juice and ¼ oz orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec) to add citrus brightness that balances the banana’s richness. This creates a more sophisticated, less candy-like flavor profile that appeals to craft cocktail enthusiasts. The acidity wakes up your palate and makes the shot more refreshing. I also add 2 dashes of orange bitters for complexity—it transforms the shot from party drink to something you’d order at a proper bar.
Make it Spiced: Add ¼ oz spiced rum (Captain Morgan or Sailor Jerry) and 1 dash of cinnamon to introduce warm baking spices that pair naturally with banana. This creates a flavor reminiscent of banana bread or bananas foster. For even more depth, add 1 small pinch of nutmeg and ¼ tsp vanilla extract. The spices add sophistication without overpowering the banana base—it’s like autumn meets the tropics. 🔥
Make it Frozen: Blend all ingredients with 1 cup ice and ½ frozen banana to create a slushy version that’s perfect for hot weather. Add 2 oz milk or coconut milk to make it creamier and more smoothie-like. This frozen variation is less of a shot and more of a mini tropical cocktail that you can serve in small cups. The texture becomes thick and satisfying, almost like soft-serve ice cream with a kick.
Nutrition Facts
165kcal
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Trained in classic French technique but raised on slow-cooked ribs and spicy rubs, she blends culinary skill with smoke and soul.
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