Coffee Rum Banana Bread

Coffee Rum Banana Bread made with Koloa Coffee Rum

We follow Kōloa Rum Company in Kauai on Facebook and recently noticed a recipe for Banana Bread using Kōloa’s delicious Kauaʻi Coffee Rum. Unfortunately, we’d recently finished our bottle of Coffee Rum, so quickly ordered another bottle from Quality Liquor Store (they usually carry it at our Total Wine Stores, but lately they’ve been out).

Upon arrival, we set out to test the recipe. Bananas, Coffee Rum and chocolate – gotta be good, right? Well, it was. But not a fast recipe to put together. Give yourself about 30 minutes to prepare and another 55-60 minutes to bake. The result? Very good and moist, but maybe more cake-like than banana bread-like. Still worth the time, especially if you are sipping coffee rum while baking!

A warm slice out of the oven

*We love bringing you amazing rum recipes! Our recipes may contain affiliate links to products that we use. If you click the link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support in helping us to continue providing rumlicious, tropical recipes!

Coffee Rum Banana Bread

A delicious recipe from Kōloa Rum Company using Kōloa Coffee Rum!
Servings: 8 slices
Author: Koloa Rum Company

Ingredients

Banana Mix-In

Banana Bread Batter

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F and spray standard 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with cooking oil.
  • Make banana mix-in by peeling and slicing bananas into 1 inch disks in a bowl with brown sugar and cinnamon. Toss to coat.
  • Place butter in a large skillet and turn heat to medium high. Once the butter has melted, add the banana with sugar and cinnamon. Stir with a wooden spoon, breaking up the bananas as they cook (2-5 minutes depending on how ripe they are).
  • Add Koloa Coffee Rum and vanilla, and continue to cook until the bananas have mostly fallen apart.
  • Make bread batter by placing the flours, salt, baking soda and baking powder in a large bowl. Stir vigorously with a balloon whisk until uniform in color.
  • Place sugar and melted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until the sugar starts to dissolve, about 30 seconds.
  • Add half the dry ingredients and beat until incorporated. Add the warm banana mix-in from the skillet and beat until incorporated. Repeat with the remaining dry ingredients and then end with the Greek yogurt.
  • Scoop out 1/3 of the batter into a bowl. Measure out the Koloa Coffee Rum and add the cocoa powder to it. Stir together to form a thickened past. Scrape into the smaller batter and stir together.
  • Spoon the batter into the bread loaf pan, alternating some of the regular banana bread batter with some of the Koloa Coffee Rum batter on top of each other. Once you've finished, take a butter knife and make one of two swirls in the pan to help marble the butter. Do not over-stir.
  • Bake in the oven for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  • Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before turning out the warm loaf onto a wire rack to cool completely.

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Why You Should Plan a Trip to Kaua‘i

Hanalei, Kauai

Kaua‘i is the 4th largest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian island chain. It is said to be the oldest of the Hawaiian islands and it’s nickname is “The Garden Island” as 97% is undeveloped and consists of extremely lush mountains, valleys and rainforests. Additionally, Kaua‘i has 43 miles of beaches to explore and, of course, world class surfing! Read on to see why you should plan a trip to Kaua‘i!

The Na Pali Coast

Scenery.

Almost all of the Hawaiian islands have amazing, lush tropical scenery, but Kauai’s landscape is simply stunning. With colorful canyons, the amazing Na Pali Coast, Mt. Waialeale (one of the wettest spots on earth), jaw-dropping waterfalls, beautiful beaches and verdant valleys, there is no shortage of scenery to take in. Many movies and television shows have been filmed in Kaua‘i , such as Jurassic Park, Fantasy Island and South Pacific, due to the incredible landscape. (Check out a list of movies and television shows filmed in Kaua‘i here).

The island receives some kind of precipitation (many times just a short shower) an average of 144 days a year and averages 240 days annually of beautiful, warm sunshine. This weather is apparently perfect for fruit (pineapples, bananas, guava and papaya to name a few), flowers, coffee, macadamia nuts, and a wide variety of vegetables, trees and other foliage to flourish.

Plumeria and Bird of Paradise

Best ways to check out the scenery?
Hiking. There are many great hiking trails for hikers of all abilities. Advanced hikers can trek to epic waterfalls on the interior or the unbelievable green folds and ruggedness of the Na Pali coast.
Driving the island is pretty easy and enjoyable (with the exception of a few areas during rush hour and several one lane bridges on the north side of the island) and a great way to take your time, stop and explore and really experience the different parts of the island.
By Boat. There are many companies that offer boat excursions, primarily to the Na Pali Coast. These excursions are mostly offered in the summer season when the seas on the north shore are calmer.

The Weeping Wall inside Mt Waialeale

Another option? A helicopter ride. To really see the interior and the Na Pali Coast (where there are no roads) a helicopter ride will give you amazing views of the entire island – including The Weeping Wall, an area on Mt. Waialeale that features a long, steep green wall with multiple waterfalls cascading down the grooves of the mountain. We booked a doorless helicopter ride with Jack Charter Helicopters and it was the ride of a lifetime – fantastic! There are many other helicopter options (with doors!) available too. Check out more photos from our helicopter ride here.

Beaches.

Although technically part of the “scenery” covered in the previous paragraph, we’re big on beaches and are dedicating an additional paragraph to them! Kaua‘i’s beaches range from calm and swimmable to rough and scenic. The sand color varies on different parts of the island, but is commonly a golden or light tan. Some beaches have life guards and amenities and others are hidden, remote treasures just waiting for you to find them. (Check out a list of secluded Kaua‘i beaches here).

Mahaulepu Beach

Some of our favorites?
Mahaulepu Beach on the south side. It is actually separated into 3 different parts: Gillin’s Beach, Kawailoa Bay, and Hāʻula Beach and is not the easiest to find – but worth it. There is a small area for swimming, a very long expanse of walkable beach, and some trees for shade. Apparently it’s a favorite of the endangered monk seal. We saw two huge monk seals basking in the sun on the sand while we were there.
Hanalei Bay on the north side is actually comprised of several different beach areas. It’s a large, beautiful bay that with a backdrop of stunning green mountains. In the summer, the bay is calm and great for swimming and SUPing. In the winter, the surf becomes rougher and perfect for surfers.
Kealia Beach on the east side. Although not the best for swimming, the long swath of golden sand is great for walking, running or just enjoying the sunshine. It’s a great place to catch a glimpse of whales during the winter months. The sunrises here are beautiful!

Mai Tai’s at Tahiti Nui in Hanalei

Rum.

The Mai Tai. It seems that the Mai Tai is the rum drink of choice in Hawaii and that left us wondering why. After all, the Mai Tai is said to have originally been created in 1944 by Trader Vic at his restaurant in Oakland. Why then is it so popular in Hawaii? We found the answer quite interesting in this article by Chow Hound. Anyway, after embarking on some “research” during our last trip to Kauai, the best Mai Tai we had was in Hanalei at Tahiti Nui. What’s the secret? No one would tell, but it was good. You can find a recipe for a Mai Tai here.

Rum Tasting at Koloa Rum Company

Kōloa Rum Company. Located in Lihue, the Kōloa Rum Company has a lineup of award winning rums that you are able to sample and buy at their tasting room/store. We attended a tasting, which not only allows you to taste quite a few of their delicious rums, but gives an interesting history of rum on the island. Be sure to sign up as soon as you get there; tastings are on the half hour for 16 people and fill up fast!

Puka Dog, Poipu

Eats.

What should you eat during your time on Kaua‘i ? To start with, opt for fresh fish and fresh local produce whenever you can. Opah, Ono (Hawaiian for “good to eat”), Onaga, Opakapaka (red snapper), Ahi and Mahimahi are all delicious local fish options to try. We couldn’t get enough of the fresh fruit during our visit, particularly the Sugarloaf Pineapple, which you can pick up at farmer’s markets or even ordered online.

There are many dining options in Kaua‘i , from fine dining overlooking the ocean to farm to table experiences to food trucks and everything in between. Here are a few casual options that we’re happy we tried:
Puka Dog in Poipu. Although I’ve never been a fan of hot dogs, it was suggested that we try a Puka Dog, or Hawaiian style hot dog while in Poipu. I’m so glad we did! The freshly baked Hawaiian Sweet Bread Puka (means hole) Buns are toasted on the inside only, which creates an interesting texture, then your choice of garlic lemon secret sauce – mild, spicy, hot or lava and your choice of tropical sauce – mango, pineapple, papaya, coconut, banana or starfruit is added. Choose a polish sausage or veggie dog topped off with a generous dollop of Aunty Lilikoi’s Hawaiian Mustard and wash it down with a glass of their fresh squeezed lemonade. Mmmm!
Shave Ice. There’s no better way to cool off after a day on the beach than a cold, sweet and colorful heaping serving of Hawaiian Shave Ice. It can be found in locations all over Kauai and comes in lots of tropical flavors and combinations. See the 5 Best Shave Ice Stands in Kauai according to Hawaii Magazine here.
Bubba Burger’s. We enjoyed our first Bubba Burger in Kaua‘i years ago at their north shore location in Hanalei. Unfortunately the north shore location has closed, but Bubba has 2 new locations; one in Poipu and one in Kapaa. Bubba Burgers are made from Fresh Ground Kaua‘i “Grass Fed” Beef, and are simple, quick and reasonable. This popular eatery is an experience and if you are easily offended by snarky slogans and signs, you might as well go somewhere else. As Bubba says, “Always Juicy–Never Greasy. Where the food’s hot, the service is cold, and the music’s too DAMN LOUD!”

Ziplining in Kauai

Explore and Adventure.

Each time we visit Kaua‘i , we’re amazed at the variety of things to explore. Although we’ve seen a lot, there’s an ever growing list of things to do – or re-do upon our return. Here are just a few suggestions:

Hike the Na Pali Coast. The Kalalau Trail is an 11 mile trail that provides the only land access to the Napali Coast on Kauai. It is a strenuous trail that rewards hikers with incredible vistas of mountains, a rugged coastline and hidden beaches. Many people hike just to Hanakapiai Beach, which is a strenuous 2 miles (each way). Find out more about hiking this incredible trail here and see photos from our hike to Hanakapiai Beach here.
Visit Waimea Canyon. Dubbed “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, this colorful 10 mile long and up to 3,600 ft deep canyon is spectacular. There are several lookouts that provide parking and several pullouts to sneak a peak at this geological wonder. Challenging hiking trails and hunting are abundant in and around the canyon as well. Find out more about visiting Waimea Canyon here.
Zipline! Fly above the Kauai rainforest on a zipline adventure with one of several companies providing zipline tours. An exhilarating way to experience the beauty of Kauai! Read more about our Kauai zipline adventure here.
Visit Kauai Coffee Company to taste the different blends of coffee made from beans grown at their plantation, such as Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Big Braddah’s Coffee and Rooster Alarm and take a self-guided walking tour of the estate.
Check out a Farmer’s Market or Arts & Craft Fair to sample and buy some local products.

Koloa’s Kauai Reserve Rum

What to Bring Home.

Want to bring home something that reminds you or your wonderful vacation on Kaua‘i ? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Kōloa Rum – some flavors are available on the mainland, but if you go to a rum tasting and fall in love with one or two, why not bring them back, just in case!
2. Kaua‘i Coffee
3. Macadamia Nuts
4. Tropical Fruit Preserves. Unfortunately the delicious fresh fruit grown on Kaua‘i must be consumed there and cannot be taken home on the airplane. So, why not remember the delicious taste of pineapple, mango, guava or passionfruit with a delicious jar of a locally made fruit preserve?
5. Hand painted ceramic tiles, pottery or fine art from local artists. A good place to shop for this? Banana Patch Studios.
6. Chicken Poop. Say what? I asked our local guide for a suggestion on a local product to bring home for the kids/grandkids and after a few minutes of thinking, she said “Chicken Poop”. After chuckling at my confused look, she told me this story. Hurricane Iniki hit Kaua‘i without warning in 1992. It was a devastating Cat 4, the strongest to ever hit the Hawaiian Islands and it hit Kauai particularly hard. After the hurricane finally passed, locals began to realize the damage and found that the storm had destroyed most of the chicken coups on the island resulting in many escaping into the woods. Today in Kaua‘i , there are a large number of wild chickens and roosters that roam free on the island. Our guide said that the bags of Chicken or Rooster Poop (actually chocolate covered macadamia nuts or almonds) was a way of making light of these now wild creatures that roam as they please. Guess who brought some home?

These are just a few of the reasons why we think you should plan a trip to Kaua‘i . Who’s ready to go?!

Other posts you might enjoy:
Why You Should Plan a Trip to St. Thomas, USVI
Why You Should Plan a Trip to Barbados
Why You Should Plan a Trip to St. Croix

Sunrise in Lihue

Copyright©Rum Therapy 
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

Triple Chocolate Rum Cake

A couple of days ago I spotted a recipe from the folks at Kōloa Rum for a Triple Chocolate Rum Cake. Having just returned from a week in the islands drinking rum and enjoying some great food, I was actually thinking I should cut back for a few days on rum…and chocolate…and food in general, but what the heck, the recipe sounded really good – and I still had some Kaua`i Dark, Kōloa Rum.

I assembled a shopping list and quickly realized that this cake HAD to be good. It contained cake mix, pudding mix, and although it called for one cup of semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels, Kōloa said to use the whole bag!!! I ran to the store and purchased what I needed and started mixing the cake together.

One of us, and I won’t name names, but it’s not me :), is an absolute chocoholic and upon tasting the Triple Chocolate Rum Cake, declared it a HUGE success. In fact, he said it should be re-named Death By Rum and Chocolate! Hmmm – what a way to go….

Triple-Chocolate-Rum-Cake-copyright Rum Therapy
Triple Chocolate Rum Cake

Recipe courtesy of Kōloa Rum Company

Cake
1 Box Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix (18.25 oz)
1 Box Chocolate Fudge Instant Pudding (2.8 oz)
1 Cup Kōloa Rum, Kaua`i Dark
4 Eggs
1/2 c. Milk
1/2 c. Canola Oil
1 c. Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (we used the whole bag per Kōloa’s recommendation)

Glaze
4 Tbsp. Butter
1/2 c. Sugar
1/2 c. Kōloa Rum, Kaua`i Dark
1/3 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Powdered Sugar (optional)
Whipped Cream (optional)
Raspberries (optional)

Preheat the over to 350. Spray and flour bundt pan. Take a large bowl and add pudding mix, cake mix, eggs, rum, mild and oil. Beat it with an electric mixer on low speed for about 1 minute and then increase speed and blend for an additional 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour blended mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for about 45 minutes in the preheated oven. Let the cake cool on a wire rack. Meanwhile for glaze, add sugar, butter, and 1/2 cup rum, to a small pot and bring it to a boil. Remove from heat; add vanilla, set the rum cake glaze aside. Prick holes all over the cake while it is hot, then pour the glaze all over the cake. Let the glaze soak completely in the cake. When done, remove the cake from the pan, dust it with powdered sugar and whipped cream and serve.


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Pineapple Daiquiri

If you’ve ever been to Hawaii, you’ve probably sampled some fresh Hawaiian pineapple…mmm….When we started pulling together ingredients for a Pineapple Daiquiri, we thought we would try a Hawaiian rum called Kōloa. Kōloa Rum has a dark rum called Kaua’i Dark Rum which we felt would work perfectly with the taste of fresh pineapple and it did.

 Enjoy a taste of the islands in this tasty recipe. Aloha!

*We love bringing you amazing rum recipes! Our recipes may contain affiliate links to products that we use. If you click the link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support in helping us to continue providing rumlicious, tropical recipes!

Pineapple Daiquiri

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1/2 c Kōloa Kaua’i Dark Rum
  • 1/2 large, fresh Pineapple
  • 6 oz Pineapple Juice
  • 6 oz Frozen Limeade Concentrate
  • 1 c Crushed Ice

Instructions

  •  Remove pineapple from shell; core and cut fruit into chunks.
  • Mix pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, rum and limeade in blender.
  • Add ice and blend until frothy.
  • Pour into glasses and garnish with a fresh slice of pineapple.

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