How to make plantain punch – a simple punch drink recipe for any occasion and time of the year, as plantain is available all year round. Whether you use green or ripe plantain, with or without alcohol, you will have a great-tasting Jamaican punch drink.
What is plantain
Plantain is a fruit related to the banana. It is not a banana or referred to as the banana in regions like Central America or Africa, where plantain and banana grow widely. Plantain is eaten both ripe or green, cooked or uncooked. It is eaten and used the same way banana is consumed and used.
In Jamaica, plantain is fried, boiled, roasted, baked or used to make porridge or drink. Fried plantain is eaten as a side at breakfast, and boiled plantain is eaten at dinner. Both green or ripe plantains are fired and boiled.
What Is Plantain Punch?
Plantain punch is a milk-based drink made with ripe or green plantain, essential spices, a milk-based supplement, traditionally Supligen, and sweetened condensed milk. Sometimes oat and peanuts are added, but you may also see recipes without them or one without the other.
Some Jamaicans choose to cook the plantain before blending it with the other ingredients, while others don’t. For the recipe below, I didn’t cook the plantain beforehand as I’m not too fond of the taste or texture of the punch when I use cooked plantain.
In Jamaica, plantain punch is an adult drink referred to as “strong back” because of the alcohol element that is added. The most common alcoholic beverages used are Dragon Stout or Guinness. Sometimes white rum and other tonics are added to the recipe.
If you want to make plantain punch a child-friendly drink, remove the alcoholic ingredient and replace the milk-based supplement with regular milk. My mother adds vanilla flavour ice cream to her plantain punch whenever she makes it for my niece and nephew. You could also include ice cream if you are making plantain punch for the little ones.
What you need to make plantain punch
Here are a few simple ingredients you will need for this recipe!
- Plantain: You can use either ripe or green plantain to make plantain punch. Ripe plantain adds sweet plantain taste better than green ones. This recipe uses both green and ripe plantain. You can cook the plantain before making the punch, but it is unnecessary. It is OK to consume raw plantain; it retains all its nutritional values than cooked plantain.
- Alcohol: You have three options for the alcohol content in plantain punch. You can use Guinness or Dragon Stout; both taste similar. I rather Dragon Stout and used it for this recipe. The other option is white rum, specifically Wray and Nephew. You can use white rum along with the stout beer or in its place.
- Supligen: Supligen is a milk-based nutritional meal supplement manufacturer in Jamaica. It is the popular choice for all Jamaican milk-based punch drinks. There are alternatives if Supligen isn’t available or you wish not to use it. Nutrament and Nurishment are the two most popular Supligen alternatives. However, I usually substitute Supligen with plant-based milk, which I also did for this recipe.
- Condensed milk: Use it to sweeten the punch.
- Spices: Vanilla extract, cinnamon and nutmeg are to flavour the punch drink. I used freshly grated nutmeg in this recipe, but ground nutmeg works just as well.
- Oat & Peanuts: Oats and peanuts help give the punch body but don’t use too much that the drink is too thick.
How to make plantain punch
Two very easy-to-follow steps and your plantain punch is ready in less than 10 minutes.
- Prep: Peel and chop the plantain into smaller pieces suitable for your blender.
- Blend together: Add the plantain and the remaining ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth.
How to store and how long to keep
Make enough to drink that day because plantain punch doesn’t last long in the refrigerator. Plantain punch only lasts for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to four days in the refrigerator and three months in the freezer.
Plantain Punch Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Plantain 1 green & 1 ripe plantain
- 500 ml (2 cups) Vanilla Supligen
- 131 ml (½ cups) Dragon stout 1 bottle
- 315 ml (1 ¼ cups) Condensed milk
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract
- ½ tsp Grated nutmeg
- ½ tsp Ground cinnamon
- 31 g (¼ cups) Oat
- 35 g (¼ cups) Raw peanuts
Instructions
- Peel the plantains and chop them into small pieces.
- Add all the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth.
- Serve over ice.
Notes
- Supliden alternatives are Nutrament, Nurishment or unsweetened milk. I use unsweetened oat milk.
- You can use Guinness instead of dragon stout.
- Keep in the refrigerator and consume within three days after making.Â
Nutrition
Other Punch Recipes
Other Drink Recipes
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My nanny used to make this for me (she was from Ecuador) I need to try this
I haven’t made plantain punch in such a LONG time, but now I’m missing it! I love adding dark or spiced rum to mine.
Wow, I will have to try adding rum the next time I make it. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, wow! This sounds awesome – I never would have thought to try something like this. Looks super-creamy and rich!
Sound delish!!!! I am gonna use banana cause that’s all I have now to make something similar and quick lol
Banana works as well,
Oh this looks so good, I wish I could have plantain but im so allergic.
awww sorry to hear that
I love plantains! Never had this punch, though my dad was Jamaican. A frozen banana will add a creamy smoothness, if you like. A touch of ginger would be nice here too… Thanks so much for the recipes!!
I would not have thought to use plantains in a drink – such a clever recipe. I know the adults would like it with a little rum! I’ll have to make an extra batch without the rum for the kids.
This sounds like a great drink, I would probably do it without the alcohol or maybe a non-alcoholic version, do you think that would be fine?
Hi Crystal, yes you can make a non-alcoholic version. Just substitute the alcohol beverage for the same amount of supligen(alternative).
This is awesome! I cannot wait to make some plantain punch!
This sounds unique and flavorful! I’ve always wanted to try and make something with plantains to see what they taste like.
Oh wow, I love creamy alcoholic beverages! Will try it out for my birthday party next month! Thanks for sharing!
This sounds very interesting, and I’m not familiar with several of the ingredients. Would be nice to make something a little different.
okay, hold up. When you get to be my age you think you can’t get surprised. I am surprised, pleasantly so! I have never ever heard of plantain punch.
I am intrigued! You mentioned that plantain is not banana but I imagine the taste to be similar to a banana milk shake. Anyway, plantain punch sounds so yummy!
Hi Ivan, plantain does look like banana but have a different taste.
I have never heard of this. Plantain punch sounds delicious! Looking forward to more of this drink.
I must say, Plantain Punch is a delicious milk-based drink that is perfect for any occasion! The blend of ripe or green plantain, essential spices, a milk-based supplement like Supligen, and sweetened condensed milk creates a unique taste that is unforgettable. If you prefer, you can also add oats and peanuts to the mix. For those who enjoy an alcoholic version, Dragon Stout or Guinness is a popular choice. But if you’re looking for a child-friendly option, just remove the alcohol and substitute the milk-based supplement with regular milk. You can even add vanilla ice cream for an extra treat!