monkey business drink
Jennifer Iserloh, The Skinny ChefLast month, when I was on vacation in Mexico, I overheard the couple at the next table ordering a "dirty monkey". "What's that?" my husband asked as I promptly ordered one because I had to know too. The waiter explained that it was a cocktail containing fresh bananas, and several liquors including Kahlua, Irish cream, and Cognac. The waiter delivered a glass brimming with a caramel-colored cream topped off by a froth as pale as egg shells. After two sips I knew that neither one of us would finish it. I really wanted to like this drink, but all those tastes and aromas clashing - this dirty monkey needed cleaning up.

When I returned home, I decided to "monkey around" with the recipe. I kept the base flavor profile - bananas and coffee - but replaced the Kahlua with real freshly brewed coffee that has no sweetener, easing up on calories in the process. Real coffee can easily combine with a clear liquor, such as vodka which I added next, just to keep a little of this drink's "kick". Toasted almonds and a bit of Armaretto, followed by ice and skim milk to lighten up on fat but maintain the thick and frothy texture.

Get the Skinny Chef's Monkey Business recipe.

Nutritional stats per serving (1 1/4 cups):
275 calories, 7 g protein, 38 g carbohydrates, 6 g fat (0 g saturated), 2 mg cholesterol, 3 g fiber, 54 mg sodium