Is There An Alternative To Rum For Soaking The Banana Bread Sultanas?

Our answer

Nigella's Banana Bread (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS) includes sultanas (golden raisins or you could use regular raisins) that are soaked in dark rum or bourbon before they are added to the banana bread batter. The main reason for soaking the fruit is so that the sultanas become juicy and swollen, as it is far nicer to bite into a plump sultana in the damp banana bread than a dry one. The liquor will provide a little extra flavour but should not have an overwhelming taste of alcohol as the alcohol evaporates as it comes to the boil.

Nigella suggests bourbon as an alternative to rum and bourbon is a type of whiskey, so you could use other whiskeys or whisky, if that is what you have at home. You could also use another dark spirit such as brandy or calvados. We would avoid flavoured liqueurs, as these usually contain extra sugar and may not marry so well with the sultanas and banana. If you don't have a suitable liquor then you can use orange juice or freshly-brewed coffee (but not espresso) as an alcohol-free alternative.