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

How do you make a martini better? ›

Squeeze the back of a lemon peel over the glass to release the lemon oils into the martini, then rub the peel around the rim of the glass. This enhances the aroma and brings a fresh zest to it. Either drop the lemon peel in, or discard and garnish with several fresh olives.

Can you use regular lime juice for Key lime? ›

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.

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

Key limes tend to be small and seedy, with a distinctive lime flavor that is tart but not too acidic. They also have a distinct aroma, far more aromatic than common limes. 2 Grocery store limes, generally speaking, are Persian limes, the most widely commercially cultivated variety of lime.

Is there a key lime vodka? ›

Captiva Spirits Key Lime Vodka is produced in small batches at List Distillery. It takes hundreds of key limes and raw honey is collected from bee hives across Southwest Florida to create our product.

What is the two martini rule? ›

Once you have consumed two, you must move on to a soft drink, such as wine or a gin and tonic. The reasons for this are obvious and I try to adhere to this rule at home. The rule is defended most enduringly (and elegantly) at Duke's Bar in Central London, where years of experience … Continue reading.

What is in a perfect martini? ›

You want to learn how to order the perfect Martini, but the term 'perfect' in this instance doesn't just mean that your drink was well made. (Though we can provide some essential tips on how to make the perfect Martini.) A 'perfect Martini' is one that uses 50% dry vermouth and 50% sweet vermouth (typically rosso).

Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh? ›

Although it seems like a simple swap, you need to be careful when substituting bottled lime juice for fresh. Check the label to be sure it is pure juice; some varieties, such as the popular Rose's label, are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup.

Why is key lime better than lime? ›

Key limes have a flavor that is different from regular limes. They are more acidic and have a more intense, tangy taste – more “lime-y,” if you will. Some people describe the flavor of key limes as slightly sweet with a hint of bitterness. They also have a floral aroma that is more noticeable than regular limes.

Is key lime stronger than lime? ›

In terms of taste, key limes have a higher acidity, making them a little more tart than what we consider "regular limes." This makes them ideal for pairing with sweeter ingredients, hence the ever-popular Key lime pie.

What does key limes do for the body? ›

Research published in Pharmacognosy Review reveals that, when used daily, key lime has antibacterial, anticancer, anti-diabetic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It provides metabolites that help protect the body from disease.

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.

Are key limes from the Florida Keys? ›

Although Key limes are native to South Asia, they were introduced in the Florida Keys in 1838 and became naturalized there, according to the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension.

What is the name for a drink made from grapefruit juice and vodka? ›

The Greyhound is a tangy, citrus-edged combination of vodka and grapefruit juice that has evolved over time into a great drink.

What is the Key West drink? ›

He came up with “The Rum Runner” which is a mix of banana liquor, Meyers rum, grenadine, and a bit of brandy. He named the drink after the notorious rum runners who would smuggle rum in the Florida Keys during the Prohibition era. Luckily, The Rum Runner found its way down to Key West.

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.

What makes a good martini good? ›

Perfect Martini

Calls for 2 ounces gin, 1 ounce dry vermouth, 1 ounce sweet vermouth, ½ ounce Luxardo maraschino liqueur, and 2 dashes Angostura Bitters. Serve with a lemon twist.

How do you fix a bad martini? ›

Conclusion. So if you think martinis taste too strong for you, make sure the gin is cold enough and good quality, don't skip the lemon peel, consider drinking it “dirty”, try bumping up the vermouth ratio and try mixing it with sweet vermouth instead of dry.

What makes a martini taste good? ›

At its most basic level, a martini co*cktail tastes like its principal ingredient: vodka or gin. You will also be able to pick up on the herbaceous and slightly sweeter taste of the vermouth (a fortified wine). Additionally, co*cktail garnishes can go a long way in changing the flavor profile.

How do you make a vodka martini taste better? ›

Vermouth, the Power Player

For a potent and punchy Martini, Howard uses two and a half ounces of vodka to a half-ounce of vermouth, and adds an extra half-ounce of vermouth for a more floral build. Vermouths like the velvety, fruity, and slightly sweet Carpano bianco soften and round a Martini's texture.

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