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? ›

Key lime flavor conquers sweet, savory, and refreshing applications with style and ease. On the beverage side, its tart kick breathes life into co*cktails like margaritas and mojitos, while its natural citrus flavor gives iced teas and lemonades a fresh twist, perfect for those hot summer days.

Which is better key lime or lime for co*cktails? ›

Taste is, of course, a matter of opinion. In a side-by-side test of the fresh squeezed juice between home-grown Key limes and limes from the store, we felt the Key lime to be far superior. It was sweeter, fuller and less bitter.

What to mix with Licor 43? ›

40 suggested recipes

orange slice, cream, licor 43, vodka, rose water, simple syrup… pineapple juice, graham crackers, licor 43, ice, lime zest, cream… licor 43, honey, honey, pomegranate juice, pomegranate, Orange… vodka, licor 43, lemon slices, lemon juice, ginger beer, simple syrup…

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 flavor compliments lime? ›

Lime: Pairs well with apple, berries, cherry, ginger, papaya, plum, strawberry, and tropical fruits, but it's usually an accent for beverages.

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.

What lime juice do bartenders use? ›

Finest Call Single Pressed Lime Juice, your ideal lime juice mixer, will elevate your co*cktail program! Persian limes infuse our Single Pressed Lime Juice with the perfect touch of acidity, making it a bar staple used in countless co*cktails from a scratch margarita to a daiquiri to a gimlet and beyond.

Do Key limes hydrate you? ›

Limes contain vitamin C and flavonoids, the antioxidants that strengthen collagen. Drinking lime water can hydrate and rejuvenate your skin.

What is the best lime for co*cktails? ›

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. But not all limes are created equal. Contemporary co*cktail recipes typically rely on the prominent Persian lime, a variety developed in 1895, confusingly, in California.

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.

Why is it called Licor 43? ›

The name of the modern-day liqueur originates from its use of 43 different ingredients; while its recipe is a closely guarded secret by the Zamora family, it is known to contain citrus and fruit juices, and to be flavoured with vanilla, among other aromatic herbs and spices.

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.

Why is Publix Key lime pie so good? ›

The key is in the crust

The salty, toasted almonds offer a great contrast to the sweet and tart pie, while the nut's crunchy texture perfectly compliments the creamy and rich filling.

Are Mexican limes key limes? ›

Key limes—also known as Mexican limes or West Indies limes—are small, spherical limes that grow in tropical and subtropical regions. They're light yellow (not green) when ripe and contain more seeds than regular limes. Their skin is also very thin, which means they don't store well.

What ethnicity is Key lime pie? ›

Key lime pie is an American dessert pie.

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.

What scents go with lime? ›

The essence of lime is most often associated with fresh perfumes: eau fraîche and eau de Cologne. It brings freshness and sparkle to a fragrance. It is perfect in a citrus accord, associated with other citrus fruits in top notes such as bergamot, lemon, orange, mandarin and yuzu.

What are Mexican key limes used for? ›

Edibility: Fruit juice is edible and used in drinks, syrups, jams and jellies, and baking. It is used as a sauce over meat and fish, and also in marinades. Also used in sherbets, sorbets, ice creams, and the famous key lime pie.

Can you use key limes in 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.

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