This liqueur’s taste may range from sweet and dessert-like to dry, depending on the manufacturer. Some brands have a ripe banana flavor, while others may go for a roasted banana flavor.

The main banana schnapps brands on the market are:

• Bols Creme de Banana
• 99 Bananas Liqueur
• Tempus Fugit Crème de Banana
• Giffard Banane du Brasil

Origin of banana liqueur

This  liqueur most likely originated from a traditional Indonesian alcoholic drink. The Dutch colonizers of the country discovered the drink and began selling it under the brand name of ‘Pisang Ambon’, which literally translates to Banana Island. After all, Ambon Island, which forms part of the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, was renowned for its crop of bananas. Eventually, banana schnapps gained popularity and began to be replicated by other manufacturers. 

Nutrition

A serving of contains around:

The alcohol doesn’t offer much nutritional value and has 17 to 25 percent ABV. Overconsumption can lead to several health problems, including affecting the brain’s functioning patterns and general lowering of immunity. Regular consumption of alcohol can increase the risk of heart disease, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, cancer, as well as obesity, depression, and aging. This fruit liqueur is best consumed responsibly and in moderation.

Commercial production

Banana liqueur producers use a neutral spirit base and blend banana in. The mixture is left to infuse for a few days, and then filtered to remove all particles. After that, sugar and other flavorings are added. It is best to use overripe bananas for the liqueur because of their sweetness. Green bananas are never used for liqueur production. Some cultivars of banana are more suitable for the production of banana schnapps than others. 

Banana liqueur recipes

Banana schnapps makes a fantastic base for cocktails. It is even used in cooking in some cuisines. Here are a few popular recipes:

• Dirty Banana
• Banana Daiquiri
• Banana Cream Pie Shots
• Banana Split Dessert Cocktail
• Bananas Foster
• Banana Rummmm Cake
• Fruit Liqueur Muffins
• Bananas Foster Cake
• Fruit Liqueur Pudding
• Banana Bread
• Bananas Foster Cookie Bars

FDA regulations

All alcohol related products are regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in the US. The TTB defines liqueur as flavored spirits made by mixing or redistilling any class or type of spirits with or over fruits, flowers, plants or pure juices. There are no specifications for banana liqueur. 

References

Filho, Milton & Carmo, Laísa & Lucia, Suzana & Saraiva, Sergio & Costa, Adilson & Osório, Vanessa & Teixeira, Luciano. (2018). Banana liqueur: Optimization of the alcohol and sugar contents, sensory profile and analysis of volatile compounds. LWT. 97. 10.1016/j.lwt.2018.06.044.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325899988_Banana_liqueur_Optimization_of_the_alcohol_and_sugar_contents_sensory_profile_and_analysis_of_volatile_compounds 

Simon Difford, Dan Malpass, Banana Liqueurs (Crème de banane), Difford’s Guide https://www.diffordsguide.com/beer-wine-spirits/category/185/banana-liqueurs

Pacifique Nshimiyimana, Dr. Ing. Jean Baptiste Nsanzimana, Production of banana liqueur from AAA-EAH beer banana [Intuntu] and its physicochemical properties, University of Rwanda-Huye, https://www.academia.edu/12744801/Production_of_banana_liqueur_from_AAA_EAH_beer_banana_Intuntu_and_its_physicochemical_properties