The Zenith Banana Cream Cold Brew

There is something incredibly nostalgic about the flavor of banana cream—it instantly brings back memories of classic summer desserts and relaxed weekends. I wanted to capture that comforting feeling in a glass, without relying on artificial syrups. By whipping up a quick, fresh "banana milk" at home, you get a creamy, naturally sweet addition that completely transforms your morning cold brew. I love using The Zenith for this one, as the deeper, comforting flavor notes perfectly anchor the sweet, creamy topping.

What You’ll Need:

• The Coffee: 1 cup of coarsely ground Exploration Coffee

• The Water: 4 cups of filtered, cold water

• The Flavor (Banana Milk): 1/2 of a very ripe banana, 1/2 cup of your favorite milk (whole milk or oat milk works best), a drop of vanilla extract, and a pinch of cinnamon.

• The Mix-ins: Ice and a little brown sugar if you want an extra touch of sweetness.

• The Gear: A standard French press or a large mason jar, plus a blender (or a jar with a tight lid for shaking).

The Trail Guide:

1. The Steep Add your coarsely ground coffee to your French press or mason jar. Pour the cold, filtered water over the grounds, giving it a gentle stir with a wooden spoon to make sure everything is saturated.

2. The Wait Cover your container and let it rest in the fridge for 14 to 16 hours. I usually set this up right before I finish roasting for the day, letting time do all the heavy lifting overnight.

3. The Strain If using a French press, press the plunger down slowly. If you're using a mason jar, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or a paper coffee filter into a clean pitcher to get a perfectly smooth cold brew concentrate.

4. The Banana Cream Prep In a blender, combine the half banana, your milk, the drop of vanilla, and a pinch of cinnamon. Blend until it is completely smooth and frothy. (If you don't have a blender, you can mash the banana until it is practically a puree, add it to a jar with the milk and vanilla, and shake vigorously!)

5. The Destination Fill a glass to the brim with ice. Pour your cold brew concentrate until the glass is about three-quarters full. If you like it a bit sweeter, stir in a teaspoon of brown sugar or honey until dissolved. Finally, pour your fresh banana milk over the top. Watch it cascade through the coffee, give it a quick stir, and enjoy a taste of nostalgia!