This Ampiainen cocktail recipe pairs the bold edge of vodka with the sweetness of banana liqueur, kept in check by the crisp bite of ginger ale. Named after the Finnish word for “wasp,” it’s a playful, grown-up cocktail where sweetness and spice collide.
Recipe & Instructions
Ingredients
Recipe no.013
- Vodka ー 1 oz (30ml)
- Crème de banane ー 1 oz (30ml)
- Ginger ale ー Full
- Orange slice
- Full = fill the glass about 80–90% full
Instructions
Add the vodka and crème de banane to a glass and stir, then add ice.
Gently top with ginger ale, being careful not to create foam, then give it a light, slow stir. When mixing in carbonated ingredients, stir slowly with just one or two rotations, lifting and lowering the ice to combine everything evenly.
Garnish with an orange slice, or another garnish of your choice, to finish.
- Technique ｜Stir
- Glass ｜Collins Glass / Tumbler Glass
- ABV ｜approximately 9–10%
- Best Enjoyed ｜Daytime
Characteristics of Ampiainen & Video
Ampiainen means wasp in Finnish, and once you taste it, the name makes sense — banana liqueur’s mellow sweetness lulls you in first, then ginger ale’s sharp, tingling bite arrives right behind it like an actual sting. That contrast isn’t an accident; it’s the whole point of the drink.
Built on vodka’s bold backbone, layered with banana liqueur’s sweetness and ginger ale’s crisp kick, what makes Ampiainen stand out is how sweetness and spice genuinely coexist — satisfying, yet light enough to drink easily. I’d call this one of the more honest two-flavor cocktails out there: neither side backs down.
The moment it hits your palate, fruity banana notes unfold first, followed by ginger ale’s tingling bite chasing right behind, so the flavor keeps shifting sip after sip. Vodka ties it all together, keeping things from tipping into pure sweetness. It’s a great pick for cooling off in summer, but works just as well after dinner or whenever you’re after something with a bit of bite.
Points, Twists & Food Pairings
- Best Pairings・・・Try it with banana bread, coconut shrimp, or spicy chicken wings — the fruity sweetness balances heat and richness beautifully.
- Mixing Tip・・・Stir the vodka and banana liqueur together fully before adding ginger ale, so the banana flavor doesn’t sink unevenly to the bottom.
- Easy Twist・・・Add a squeeze of fresh lime for extra brightness, or swap ginger ale for ginger beer for a spicier, more intense kick.
- Drinking Note・・・The banana sweetness can mask the vodka, making it easy to drink quickly — pace yourself, especially if pouring for guests.
Recipe Video
- Recipe Video ｜ Jun Tarooka Channel Home
