Cheese

The "Jumpin' Monkey" Coffee

September  9, 2013
4
12 Ratings
  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • Serves 2
Author Notes

Back in high school I used to go to a bagel shop in our neighborhood and get this blended coffee drink they had called the jumpin' monkey that had espresso, chocolate, and banana. I suddenly remembered it the other day and decided I wanted to try to make my own homemade version. —fiveandspice

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 very ripe bananas, cut into chunks and frozen
  • 2 (2-ounce) shots of espresso (or 4 ounces strong coffee), cooled
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 3/4 cup milk, more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon (heaped) cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Directions
  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and frothy—adding more milk if necessary—about one minute. Taste and blend in the honey if you’d like the drink to be sweeter. Divide between two glasses and serve.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Justine Lee
    Justine Lee
  • Mike Carlsen
    Mike Carlsen
  • LaDi Heron
    LaDi Heron
  • maria s.
    maria s.
  • Caroline Cooks
    Caroline Cooks

38 Reviews

Justine L. January 15, 2021
the best morning breakfast!!!
 
Mike C. May 18, 2020
Wow! I was looking for a recipe because I myself grew up in Duluth and used to frequent Bixby’s for this. What a find to stumble on a Duluthian with the recipe. Love the Gin btw.. a staple in my house in the summer!
 
LaDi H. September 13, 2018
THIS RECUPE IS YUMMY!!!!
I had tried a drink called the Drunk Monkey on an Island in Nicaragua and have been trying to make a homemade version of it ever since, but it never worked. This is basically exactly what I was trying to make, minus the shot of alcohol. To make a drink Monkey, simply add some Kalhua or Baileys or your favourite type of alcohol! 😊
 
Nichole August 15, 2017
So funny! The Jumpin Monkey also popped into my head this morning and I made the first one I've had in years. After making an instagram post, I decided to do a google search for Jumpin Monkey and your recipe popped up...with nearly the same caption I had on my post haha. Glad I'm not the only one who enjoyed these :)
 
maria S. February 13, 2015
He's left for school already this morning, but I am making this for my smoothie - blended-drink loving teen on Monday.
 
Caroline C. January 26, 2015
I love this - It's a real treat for breakfast.
 
em-i-lis September 25, 2014
Yum!!!
 
Megan September 5, 2014
Used to work at Bixby's myself, and just saw this recipe now that I live on the East Coast! This is much more nutritious than the original Jumpin' Monkey, trust me. Looks great! Love to see some Duluth-inspired culinary delights.
 
cindy August 6, 2014
Do you have any idea how many calories is in this? Trying to watch calorie intake, it looks great.
 
countykerry July 19, 2014
i use chocolate soymilk and about 1/2 the cocoa powder. sometimes i'll throw in some flax seed for an extra treat!
 
LuLuLa October 27, 2013
This has become my favorite breakfast. I always have frozen banana slices on hand now. Amaaaaaazing.
 
fiveandspice November 5, 2013
Glad you've been making good use of those bananas!
 
Smvk October 20, 2014
I keep frozen bananas as well. I use them in bAnana bread. When they defrost they are almost liquefied so it mAkes the bread very moist. Yum:)
 
SFB October 26, 2013
Awesome stuff. Just made with almond milk and 4 oz of Trader Joe's coffee concentrate. I added cinnamon this time, but might have to add some peanut butter next time.
 
fiveandspice November 5, 2013
Mmm.
 
Hailey7 October 16, 2013
So delicious! I've used both coconut and almond milk as a substitute for the milk and yogurt.
 
fiveandspice November 5, 2013
Oh good!
 
Knightcraft August 4, 2014
Coconut milk?? Brilliant!!
 
Addie October 9, 2013
I have been waiting to try this and finally came around to it today. It's as tasty as I imagined and hits the spot!
 
fiveandspice October 10, 2013
Oh good!
 
Erin October 1, 2013
Made this today. It was AWESOME! Erin Approved.
 
fiveandspice October 2, 2013
Yay! Glad to hear it!
 
MorriB September 30, 2013
Made this for breakfast...didn't fully read the recipe yesterday so made a couple changes...I used a caramel flavored coffee, used a full cup of vanilla yogurt, no milk, forgot to freeze my bananas, and added a spoon full of peanut butter at the end. It came out really well though!
 
fiveandspice October 2, 2013
Glad you liked it! PB is always a tasty addition if there's banana involved.
 
Lori September 29, 2013
Can't wait to try this, neighbor! I may use almond milk instead of real, but definitely real greek yogurt. Thanks!
 
fiveandspice October 2, 2013
I think that will work splendidly!
 
tastysweet September 29, 2013
I think I would make this with the great refrigerator iced coffee recipe from yummy's blog. Then follow recipe but.....with a touch of cinnamon. For me,have to have cinnamon in my coffee.
 
fiveandspice October 2, 2013
Ooh, I like the cinnamon idea.
 
savorthis September 23, 2013
We had something like this at a coffee shop we would frequent as moody teenagers. I can't recall how we got across town at 14, but that drink was the best. Kept our moody selves up all night! Thanks for reminder and the recipe~
 
fiveandspice September 26, 2013
Nice! :)
 
Jessica S. September 13, 2013
I went vegan with this and used coconut yogurt and milk!
 
fiveandspice September 23, 2013
Yum! I bet the coconut flavor was delicious.