Key Lime Martini

This Key Lime Martini recipe is creamy, tangy and incredibly refreshing. Made with dark rum, vanilla vodka and key lime juice, this is an easy cocktail to enjoy for summer, New Year’s Eve or as a treat for citrus lovers.

During the summer months this Key Lime Martini is delicious served with the light and refreshing dishes of Marinated Grilled Shrimp Kabobs, Summer Pasta Salad and Berry Fruit Salad. For New Years Eve, munching on appetizers such as Dry Rubbed Chicken Wings, Baked Pita Chips and Simple White Bean Dip while sipping on this cocktail is absolutely heavenly. 

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Key Lime Martini vs Key Lime Pie Martini

Both martinis are very similar, in fact the drink portions are the same. However, the main difference between a regular Key Lime Martini and a Key Lime Pie Martini is whether the glasses are rimmed with a graham cracker crumb and toasted coconut mixture. (See “Rimming a Martini Glass to Make Key Lime Pie Martinis” sections below.)

Main Ingredients

• Sugar and Water– The ingredients needed to make simple syrup. (See making simple syrup section below.)
• Ice– Adding ice to the cocktail shaker helps to make the martinis icy cold. 
• Evaporated Coconut Milk– Using evaporated coconut milk adds a delicious and creamy coconut flavor without having to deal with the solidified coconut cream that comes when using a can of coconut milk or coconut cream. In other words, evaporated coconut milk will give these martinis the best smooth texture while also provided excellent flavor. 
• Vanilla Vodka– Using a vanilla vodka adds the subtle fragrant sweet element of vanilla. Additionally, vanilla is a wonderful companion to the flavors of coconut and key lime. 
• Dark Rum– Any type of rum may be used for this cocktail. However, Zaya Rum is a premium aged rum from the Caribbean that is rich and sweet with flavors of caramel, vanilla and banana. 
• Key Lime Juice– Using Nellie & Joe’s Key Lime Juice is a delicious and incredibly simple way to make these Key Lime Martinis. 

Tools 

• Cocktail Shaker
• Round Ice Cube Tray
• Liquid Measuring Cup
• Martini Glasses

Making Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is a thick and sweet liquid that is used in making cocktails and non alcoholic beverages. It is incredibly easy to make and is best when made in advance and allowed to chill in the refrigerator. 

To make combine equal parts water and granulated sugar. Bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves and then lower to a a simmer for approximately 5 minutes, making sure to stir occasionally. For this recipe I used 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. However, using 1 cup of each creates leftovers that can be stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks. 

How To Make Key Lime Martini

1. In a medium sized saucepan combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves and then lower to a simmer for 5 minutes. Take off heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to refrigerator until chilled.
2. Place martini glasses into freezer to chill. 
3. Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice. 
4. Add the evaporated coconut milk, vodka, rum, key lime juice and Simple Syrup. 
5. Shake well and pour into chilled glasses. 
6. Garnish with a slice of lime. 

Rimming a Martini Glass To Make Key Lime Pie Martinis

To make Key Lime Pie Martinis rim the martini glasses with a toasted coconut and graham cracker crumb mixture. 

1. Place 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut on a sided cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 350℉ oven for 4-5 minutes or until coconut is golden brown. Let cool to room temperature.
2. Process 2 whole graham cracker sheets into crumbs in a food processor.(Note: Or another option is placing the crackers in a ziplock bag and rolling a rolling pin over the crackers until crumbs are formed.)
3. Place graham cracker crumbs into a shallow wide mouthed bowl. 
4. Add toasted coconut to graham cracker crumbs.
5. Mix well.
6. Place sweetened condensed milk into a similar sized wide mouthed bowl.
7. Dip the rim of the martini glasses into the sweetened condensed milk.
8. Then dip the martini glass into the graham and coconut mixture. Once rimmed, fill glasses with Key Lime Martini mixture. 

Note: Evaporated coconut milk has the same consistency as whole milk. Because of this, it is not a good choice for rimming the martini glasses. However, canned sweetened condensed milk is very thick and clings well to the rim of the glasses, making it an excellent choice for rimming martini glasses. 

More Delicious Lime Recipes

Key Lime Pie

Key Lime White Chocolate Coconut Cookies

Cilantro Lime Mexican Roast Chicken

Mexican Coleslaw with Cilantro Lime Dressing

Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing

Key Lime Martini

This Key Lime Martini recipe is creamy, tangy and incredibly refreshing. Made with dark rum, vanilla vodka and key lime juice, this is an easy cocktail to enjoy for summer, New Year's Eve or as a treat for citrus lovers.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Adult Beverage, Cocktail

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Key Lime Martini, Key Lime Pie Martini

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 Martinis

Calories: 265kcal

Author: Heather

Equipment

• Cocktail Shaker

Ingredients

Key Lime Martini

• ice
• 1/2 cup evaporated coconut milk *See Note #1 below
• 2 ounces vanilla vodka
• 2 ounces rum *See Note #2 below
• 1/4 cup key lime juice *See Note #3 below
• 2 ounces simple syrup *See Note #4 below

Garnish Options (Optional- see note # 5 & 6 below)

• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk *See Note #5 below
• 1/4 cup toasted coconut
• 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• lime slices

Instructions

• Prepare simple syrup and let chill in refrigerator. (See Note #4 below.)
• Place martini glasses into freezer to chill for at least 20 minutes before making martinis.
• Fill the cocktail shaker half full with ice.
• To the ice add evaporated coconut milk, vodka, rum, key lime juice and simple syrup. Shake well.
• Pour into chilled martini glasses and garnish with lime slices or graham cracker and coconut (See Note #6 below.)

Notes

Recipe Notes

Note #1- Traditional milk or cream may be substituted. However, because regular milk and cream does not have the delicious coconut flavor add 1 teaspoon of coconut extract. 

Note #2- Zaya Rum is a premium aged rum from the Caribbean that is rich and sweet with flavors of caramel, vanilla and banana.

Note #3- For this martini I used Nellie & Joe's bottled key lime juice. 

Note #4- To make simply syrup add equal parts water and sugar (1 cup each) to a medium sized saucepan . Bring to a boil over high heat until sugar dissolves and then lower to a simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature and then chill in the refrigerator. 

Simple syrup is best made a day in advance to ensure that it is completely chilled before making cocktails. 

Note #5- Evaporated coconut milk has the same consistency as whole milk. Because of this, it is not a good choice for rimming the martini glasses. However, canned sweetened condensed milk is very thick and clings well to the rim of the glasses, making it an excellent choice for rimming martini glasses. 

Note #6- To make Key Lime Pie Martinis toast coconut and mix with graham cracker crumbs in shallow wide mouthed bowl. Place sweetened condensed milk into a similar sized bowl. Dip the rim of the martini glasses into the sweetened condensed milk and then dip into the graham and coconut mixture. Once rimmed, fill glasses with Key Lime Martini mixture. 

Nutrition

Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

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