This summer has been bananas.
B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
When you scroll through Instagram or TikTok, you probably notice baristas making videos and posting pictures of vibrant green matcha lattes, topped with a fluffy, velvety cold foam.
This isnβt your average sweet cream, though. This cold foam encapsulates the slightly sweet and tropical taste of a banana.
The creamy, subtle flavor of bananas mixed with the smooth, earthy notes of an iced matcha latte is a match that makes you think the two flavors were made to be paired together.
Not only have bananas infiltrated the matcha world, theyβve started to be incorporated into espresso drinks. Icy espresso lattes sweetened with a warm, brown sugar syrup that mimics the flavors found in a loaf of banana bread, topped with cold foam and a sprinkle of chopped pecans, have begun popping up on coffee shop menus everywhere.
Itβs the drink of the summer.
Thankfully, you donβt need to travel to Los Angeles to visit an influencer-crowded cafΓ© to get these viral drinks. Here are seven places in the Tucson area that have banana lattes on their summer menus.
Banana cream matcha latte from Brucha
3435 E. Speedway
My addiction to Bruchaβs banana matcha lattes started with an Instagram DM. Lauren Valenzuela from Sigfus and another reader recommended I go try it, saying it was their favorite in town.
The next day, I was making my way down Speedway on a mission.
Banana cream matcha latte from Brucha.
It seemed like the rest of Tucson had the same idea, because the line was to the door when I stepped in. A constant chorus of βbanana cream matchaβ rang throughout the shop, as people left with a vibrant green drink in hand and a smile on their face.
Soon, I was given a flawless green matcha latte of my own, topped with a decadent banana cold foam that tasted like I was enjoying a warm slice of banana bread.
You are able to taste the quality matcha as well as the flavorful cold foam, making it the perfect balance of slightly sweet and earthy.
Banana milk latte from Harleyβs Coffee Co.
316 E. Sixth St. Ste. 150
Even though Harleyβs Coffee Co. just opened its first brick and mortar, it is on top of the banana latte game.
On its summer menu, it has a banana milk latte, which means you can get an espresso or matcha latte topped with a fluffy banana cold foam.
It adds a couple of slices of fresh banana on top, perfect for your Instagram photo dumps.
On its social media, people are showing excitement for the banana drinks in the comments. The banana fans in Tucson are strong!
Banana bread latte from Hebrews Coffee
1439 S. Fourth Ave.
A banana bread latte from Hebrews Coffee.
This coffee spot inside American Eats Co. has gained a dedicated following thanks to delicious lattes. For its summer menu, it introduced a banana bread latte, topped with cold foam and toasted pecans.
The creamy latte has notes of brown sugar and a distinct fruitiness thanks to the banana. It adds a nice, sweet kick to the rich espresso. Then you get a sip of the light cold foam that ties everything together. Itβs almost like enjoying a piece of banana bread with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Ragin Roadrunner from Roadrunner Coffee Co.
9665 N. Thornydale Road; 50 W. Congress St.; 1545 W. Wetmore Road; 1612 N. Alvernon Way
At Roadrunner Coffee Co., it make one of its signature drinks with an elite combination: chocolate and banana.
Its Ragin Roadrunner latte is made with espresso, chocolate sauce and banana syrup, transforming the classic frozen-chocolate-covered banana into a delicious drink.
The best part? This drink is permanently on its menu, so you can enjoy all the banana goodness throughout the year.
Banana pudding matcha and Korean banana milk lattes from Rofle Rofle
4500 N. Oracle Road
When it comes to creating tasty banana treats, Rofle Rofle does not play around. If you scroll through its Instagram, youβll be hypnotized by all the extravagant treats and drinks it crafts.
One of those drinks happens to be its banana pudding matcha. It takes a creamy matcha latte and tops it with a dollop of fresh banana pudding. If coffee is more your speed, it also has a latte made with Korean banana milk. Of course, itβs finished off with swirls of whipped cream.
Both options sound like great pick-me-ups after a long day of shopping at the Tucson Mall.
If you havenβt had enough banana, it also has a dirty banana croffle (croissant + waffle!).
Banana bread latte from Calle Coffee
6225 W. Ajo Highway; check their Instagram for their schedule
This beloved bright blue coffee truck is known for flavorful drinks, so it makes sense that it has hopped on this delicious summer trend.
A banana bread latte from Calle Coffee.
One of Calle Coffeeβs special drinks on its summer menu is a banana bread latte. This smooth latte captures all the warm, buttery flavors of a homemade banana baked good.
Itβs a great drink to get your morning started with.
Banana matcha and banana spilt latte from 1989 Bakehouse
3355 S. Camino Del Sol in Green Valley
Whether you want matcha, a latte or banana pastries, 1989 Bakehouse has you covered.
For those looking for a banana matcha, its signature matcha is made with banana and vanilla, complete with a layer of airy cold foam on top.
If you want something to satisfy your sweet tooth, it has a banana split latte, which consists of espresso, mocha, cherry, banana and whipped cream. From the first sip, itβs like a flavor explosion went off in your mouth.
The top stories from the Arizona Daily Starβs Caliente section for this week.
To pair with your drinks, it has various banana-flavored pastries, such as their banana coffee pie.
