The Best Key Lime Martini Recipe (2024)

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This Key Lime Martini may just be the perfect coconut and key lime juice co*cktail. Not too sweet, not too sour, with just the right amount of creaminess, this tropical sipper smells divine and tastes even better!

No longer relegated to the "after-dinner drinks" category, this key lime Martini recipe is definitely one you can enjoy anytime!

The Best Key Lime Martini Recipe (1)

If you've been reading ACT for a while, you know I'm a huge fan of citrus co*cktails. Well, except for Key Lime Martini's - which is a shame! I've always wanted to love them - because lime and coconut? What is not to love about that combo, right?

But the few times I've ordered them, they've been way too sweet and heavy - even for an after-dinner co*cktail.

So, suffice it to say, if you'd told me a few weeks ago that I'd actually be posting a key lime martini recipe, I'd have said you were crazy.

But as they say, "never say never"! After receiving a bag of gorgeous key limes I decided to give this lime and coconut co*cktail another try.

And I am so glad I did - and I think you will be too!

The Best Key Lime Martini Recipe (2)

Key Lime Martini

Sweet, creamy and sour with the unmistakable taste and fragrance of coconut!

With only 4 ingredients.

No fancy flavored vodkas or liqueurs.

Which pretty much means I can whip this up this key lime martini whenever I see key limes in my local grocery store - which is almost every week this time of year!

Key Lime Martini Ingredients

  • Vodka - I used plain vodka but Vanilla or Coconut Vodka would be smashing in this drink!
  • Key lime juice - freshly squeezed is definitely better but if all you can find is bottled, that works too!
  • Cream of coconut
  • Simple syrup
  • Lime wheels (optional)
  • Crushed graham crackers

Key Limes

So what is the deal with Key Limes? Great question! Read on for a little "primer" on Key limes!

How are Key Limes different from the limes in my grocery store?

Most limes sold in the U.S. are Persian limes, which are larger and less acidic. Key limes are small and round and contain more seeds. The juice is a bit more acidic, but the appeal of these limes is in their almost floral flavor and fragrance.

What is a key lime?

A variety of lime grown primarily in Mexico and West Indies. They were also grown in the Florida keys until they were wiped out by a hurricane in the 1920s.

Can I substitute regular lime juice for key lime juice in this recipe?

Yes you can! But if you want to match the acidity of key lime juice, add about ⅓ lemon juice. So if you need 3 Tablespoons key lime juice, you would use 2 Tablespoons lime juice and 1 Tablespoon lemon juice.

The Best Key Lime Martini Recipe (3)

How to make this Key Lime Martini Recipe:

  1. Juice the limes - if you are making these for a crowd, you can definitely juice the limes ahead of time.
  2. Combine the lime juice, vodka, cream of coconut and simple syrup in a shaker.
  3. Add ice and shake for 30 - 45 seconds.
  4. Strain into a chilled co*cktail glass and garnish with a lime wheel if you like.

Check out my Latest Video on How to Make a co*cktail!

Thirsty for more Vodka co*cktail recipes?

  • Raspberry Mint Vodka Spritzer
  • Cape Cod co*cktail
  • Ruby Red Cosmopolitan
  • Vodka Martini
  • Ruby Red Moscow Mule

If you enjoyed this recipe, I would LOVE for you to give it a 5-star rating! Cheers! Nancy

📖Recipe

The Best Key Lime Martini Recipe (4)

Key Lime Martini

Sweet, sour and with just the right amount of creaminess, this Key Lime Martini might just be the perfect lime and coconut co*cktail. Made with just 4 ingredients, this is the co*cktail to make when you've got key limes!

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Course: co*cktails

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 249kcal

Author: Nancy Buchanan

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. vodka I used snow leopard
  • 1 oz. key lime juice freshly squeezed
  • ¾ oz. Cream of Coconut I used Coco Real
  • ¼ oz. simple syrup
  • 1 key lime slice optional

Instructions

  • Combine the vodka, key lime juice, cream of coconut and simple syrup in a shaker tin.

  • Add ice and shake for 45 seconds. Double strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lime slice if desired.

Recipe Notes

Notes:

  1. Vodka - a nice, smooth vodka works beautifully in this co*cktail! As a huge fan of Snow Leopard vodka, I highly recommend it! If you don't have Snow Leopard, any good quality vodka works.
  2. Key lime juice: Fresh juice is key in this co*cktail! You can juice the limes several hours before making the co*cktail.
  3. Cream of Coconut: Not to be confused with the "cream" at the top of canned coconut milk, this is a sweetened version that designed for drinks and desserts. The most common brand is Coco Lopez. I used Coco Real (which is shelf stable, woo hoo!)

Nutrition

Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 15mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin C: 8.5mg | Iron: 0.3mg

YOU KNOW I WANT TO SEE IT!Mention @Acommunaltable or tag #acommunaltable!

More 12 Amazing co*cktail Recipes for Vodka

  • Apple Martini
  • Best Vodka Sour Recipe
  • Cape Cod co*cktail: Vodka and Cranberry
  • Pumpkin Spiced Kahlua and Cream|White Russian Drink

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Deb says

    The Best Key Lime Martini Recipe (9)
    Cheers! I think this looks fantastic! Perfect co*cktail for the weekend!!

    Reply

  2. Valentina says

    The Best Key Lime Martini Recipe (10)
    Oh I so want to try this drink, Nancy! This is right up my alley. I have really been loving key limes -- I didn't know they were more acidic than the other varieties. So much good information in this post. I'm bookmarking this drink and definitely going to try it.

    Reply

  3. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

    Living in Florida, I do have access to key limes. Your co*cktail is one I'll be trying soon.

    Reply

    • Nancy says

      Hi Karen,

      I hope you enjoy it!!! It's not as sweet as some versions I've tried!!

      Reply

  4. HH says

    The Best Key Lime Martini Recipe (11)
    This is a winner! We had to pump up the simple syrup a little to balance the key lime juice.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

The Best Key Lime Martini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What pairs with Key lime? ›

What Flavors Go Well With Key Lime? Key limes are delicious with coconut, blueberries and raspberries. By itself, the lime can be very tart, but it works nicely with the rich, sweet flavor of coconut. Try pairing Key lime and coconut in a scone, or with blueberries in a Key Lime Pie.

What to mix with Licor 43? ›

40 suggested recipes

demerara sugar, licor 43, white wine, lemonade, lemon, peaches… simple syrup, rose water, licor 43, orange slice, vodka, cream… lime zest, pineapple juice, ice, cream, fresh lime juice, graham crackers… ginger beer, lemon slices, licor 43, lemon juice, vodka, lemongrass…

Where is the original Key lime pie? ›

The sweet and tart pie reportedly originated in Key West, Florida, in the late 19th century. The use of sweetened condensed milk, an essential ingredient, is probably because fresh milk and refrigeration were uncommon in the isolated Florida Keys until the 1930s.

What is the difference between a Key lime and a regular lime? ›

A Key lime, also known as a Mexican lime, West Indian lime, or Florida Key lime, is significantly smaller and rounder. Key limes also contains seeds, while the Persian limes — sometimes called a Tahitian limes — found in grocery stores typically do not.

How to enhance Key lime flavor? ›

The zest is where the oils live, and oil is more potent than water. That's not to say that key lime or lime juice is bad. It's wonderful and necessary, but to bring out the zing of lime flavor, you must include lime zest, especially when it's diluted by sweetened condensed milk and eggs.

What is special about Key lime? ›

The Key lime has thinner rind and is smaller, seedier, more acidic and more aromatic than the Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia). It is valued for its characteristic flavor. The name comes from its association with the Florida Keys, where it is best known as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie.

Should I refrigerate Licor 43? ›

Does Licor 43 Chocolate have a “best before date” after opening the bottle? No, but to enjoy the product at its best we recommend that you keep it refrigerated and consume it within six months of opening.

How much alcohol is in Licor 43? ›

How much alcohol is in Licor 43? It is 31% ABV (alcohol by volume), so it has a moderate alcohol content. Compare it to 40% ABV for spirits like whiskey, rum, vodka and gin.

What liquor is similar to Licor 43? ›

Licor 43 and Tuaca are very similar and are among the top vanilla liqueurs on the market. The two use vanilla as the dominant flavor and back it up with hints of citrus.

What is the famous pie in Florida? ›

The history of the Key Lime Pie goes back to the late 1800's when fresh dairy was hard to come by in South Florida. Aunt Sally in the Florida Keys had the crazy idea of combining just 3 ingredients – sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, key lime juice – to make the creamy, yellow, tangy filling.

What is Florida's state dessert? ›

- Move over, key lime pie. Florida has another state dessert – strawberry shortcake. Gov. DeSantis recently signed SB 1006, which designated the fluffy dessert and all of its strawberry and whipped cream goodness, as the official state dessert, which went into effect on July 1, 2022.

Why is Publix key lime pie so good? ›

Key limes have more acidity, which makes them more tart. That's the reason why they pair so well with sweet ingredients. Publix also uses whipped cream instead of meringue. This is a big one for me.

Can I use regular lime juice instead of key lime juice for a Key lime pie? ›

Unless you live in the Florida Keys, key limes are near impossible to find. Furthermore, they're so tiny that you'd need to juice at least twenty of them for this recipe. No thank you! Ordinary limes make an exceptional Key lime pie, and they are a much better alternative to bracingly tart bottled Key lime juice.

Why are key limes so expensive? ›

Nearly every lime Americans eat comes from Mexico, but lime prices spiked almost $4 in early 2022, and stores had trouble keeping their shelves stocked. Droughts, extreme heat, and disease have hit farms across Mexico, making it hard to keep up. In very dry conditions, the lime skin is too smooth and may turn yellow.

How do you pick a good key lime? ›

1) Heavier limes are juicier limes: When choosing limes, compare the weight. Heavier limes, for their size, hold more juice. Simple! 2) Brighter is better: Limes ripen in the opposite order you might expect – they actually start green and, as they ripen, they turn yellow.

What compliments Key lime pie? ›

Key limes are more tart and aromatic than your average grocery store lime, so key lime pie is a delicate dance of tart key lime filling and sweet, fluffy meringue or whipped cream topping. Try pairing it with a sweet, bubbly wine like Plumeria Moscato d'Asti DOCG.

Are key limes good in mixed drinks? ›

When it comes to adding acidity to drinks, a select few bartenders are reaching for Key limes, rather than the standard Persian. From simple sours like the Daiquiri to lavish tiki staples like the Mai Tai, limes are an essential building block for entire categories of co*cktails.

What scents go with lime? ›

It goes particularly well with flowers such as ylang-ylang or frangipani, as well as with coconut (cf. Fruity facet). It is present in the mojito accord (mint, rum and lime) which was the basis of the Guerlain Homme fragrance, a fragrance developed by Sylvaine Delacourte.

What goes well with lime in drinks? ›

Top 5 co*cktails With Lime
  • ROSEMARY'S DAIQUIRI. Ingredients: - 2 oz. First Run Rum. - 1 oz. Lime Juice. ...
  • FROZEN VERMONT & STORMY. Ingredients: - 2 oz. First Run Rum. - 2 oz. ...
  • MAD MARGE. Ingredients: - 1.5 oz. First Run Rum. - 1.5 oz. ...
  • MAD RIVER RUM PUNCH. Ingredients: - 1 oz. Rum 44. - 1 oz. ...
  • MAI TAI.
Aug 1, 2022

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