Moroccan · Drink
Iftar Date & Banana Milk
A thick, naturally sweet blended milk of dates and banana that many Moroccans drink at iftar to restore blood sugar gently after the fast — no refined sugar, just fruit, milk and a touch of cinnamon and orange-blossom. Cool, filling and quick, it doubles as drink and light nourishment in one glass.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
- 10 soft dates, pitted
- 2 ripe bananas
- 700 ml cold milk
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp orange-blossom water
- A few ice cubes
- Chopped almonds, to finish (optional)
Method
- 1
Soak the dates
If the dates are firm, soak them in a little warm milk for 10 minutes to soften for a smoother blend.
- 2
Blend
Blend the dates, bananas, milk, cinnamon and orange-blossom water until completely smooth.
- 3
Chill
Add the ice cubes and blend briefly again, or pour over ice, so it is properly cold.
- 4
Adjust
Loosen with a little more milk if too thick, and taste — ripe fruit usually means no extra sweetener is needed.
- 5
Serve
Pour into glasses and scatter with chopped almonds if you like, serving straight away.
Chef's tips
- Very ripe, spotty bananas give the best natural sweetness and creaminess.
- Soaking firm dates first prevents little gritty bits in the finished drink.
- Blend it thick as a light meal replacement, or thinner as a refreshing drink — adjust with milk.
Frequently asked questions
Why dates for breaking the fast?
Dates are the traditional food for breaking the fast, quickly raising blood sugar and providing gentle, sustained energy; blending them with banana and milk makes an easy, nourishing iftar drink.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes; almond, oat or coconut milk all work well and keep the drink naturally sweet from the fruit.