How To Make Key Lime Martini

Learn how to make a Key Lime Martini! This dessert martini is the perfect replacement for something sweet after a meal. A fun cocktail, filled with fresh pineapple juice, key lime juice, whipped cream and vodka with a satisfying graham cracker crusted rim.

This sweet drink tastes just like a decadent slice of key lime pie. Wow your friends and be amazed at their reaction with this creative and delicious martini!

If you like this recipe, you'll love this Strawberry Peach Bourbon Smash, Watermelon Cherry Frose or Jalapeno Pineapple Margarita.

WHAT IS A DESSERT COCKTAIL?

A dessert cocktail is just that, an alcoholic drink served after dinner! To explain, these drinks are normally thick in texture, slightly sweet and reminiscent of an actual dessert. What is satisfying about dessert cocktails is the enjoyable twist you can create in the place of baking a sweet good. These drinks are designed to be enjoyed slowly, over casual conversation and are enjoyably rich.

There are classic dessert cocktails like Bailey's or Kahlua and coffee, a Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini, White Russian, and in this case, a Key Lime Martini! If you are not a fan of sweet drinks, I encourage you to try this recipe. Again, extremely satisfying, not overly sweet and with the fresh juices will leave a lasting feel of having devoured your favorite dessert.

WHAT ARE KEY LIMES?

For one thing, this recipe does not call for key limes as they can be certainly difficult to find. But it is important to mention them because traditional key lime pie is made with fresh (or store bought) key lime juice. With this in mind, a short snippet about this tangy and citrusy fruit.

Key limes are a hybrid fruit native to Southeast Asia. The key lime fruit is the typical shade of green that you are picturing with limes but will turn yellow as it ripens. You can read more about key limes here!

SUBSTITUITONS FOR KEY LIMES?

Great question. Yes, you can substitute key limes with limes in this recipe. In this case like me, you cannot get your hands on key limes, regular limes will do the trick. And, if you are questioning if store bought lime juice will, but I strongly urge you to use fresh juice.

When picking ripe limes, be sure they are firm but not hard. When you pick up the lime, you should be able to squeeze the lime and it "give" a little. We will use a little under ¼ cup of lime juice so you will want to pick juicy limes.

INGREDIENTS

As much as I love a tasty cocktail, I am excited to share this recipe today! This martini is the perfect ending to a fun dinner or BBQ at home. I am a dessert lover at times but will take a dessert cocktail most days.

This Key Lime Martini tastes just like a liquid version of the infamous dessert. Here is what you will need to make this martini.

• Vodka (I used Ketel One because that's what I had on hand)
• Pineapple Juice
• Lime Juice
• Coconut Milk or Cream
• Vanilla Extract
• Graham Crackers
• Honey
• Ice
• Green Food Color (optional)

TYPE OF CREAM NEEDED FOR THIS MARTINI

What is good about this recipe is that several of the ingredients are interchangeable. With that said, if you are allergic to coconut or would prefer an alternative, you can substitute with the items listed below.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk
• Whip Cream
• Heavy Cream

On the contrary, I have only tested this recipe with coconut cream, but I am certain these additional listed items will work just as fine. I am eager to make this recipe specifically try out the sweetened condensed milk. I will circle back with an update if I find that it works better than the coconut cream.

BEST VODKA TO USE?

While the vodka choice for this recipe is fairly open and my first suggestion would be to use what you have on hand. With that intention, you can also purchase whipped vodka or vanilla vodka. It will add nothing but amazing flavor to this martini. I have made this recipe with whipped vodka before (not vanilla) and it is delicious.

I would use vodkas that are not strong in flavor like Grey Goose as it will leave an unsatisfying after taste. I believe a vodka similar to Ketel One works great because it's smooth and is not overpowering in the recipe. Here are a list of vodkas that work well with this recipe in addition to Ketel One.

• Tito's Handmade Vodka
• Ciroc Vodka
• Absolut Vodka

HOW TO MAKE KEY LIME MARTINI

This recipe is a joy to make. Impress your guests and allow them to watch as you bring this delicious dessert martini to life. It is important to realize, that prepping the ingredients first will make for an enjoyable experience. Consider yourself home mixologist after creating this recipe. Here is how to prepare it.

HOW TO RIM GLASS WITH GRAHAM CRACKER

First, we need to dress the martini glasses. I used a short martini glass that holds about 3-4 ounces of liquid but by all means, use what you have on hand. Begin by pouring about 1-2 tablespoons of honey onto a small saucer sized plate. Next, take 2 graham crackers and place in a Ziploc bag (or lay on a paper towel and cover crackers with an additional paper towel).

With a heavy object like a peat pounder or even a handheld can opener, begin breaking the graham crackers a part until they are in crumbles. This step will take maybe 30 seconds, you will want the graham crackers to be like fine dust. Unless you're like me and enjoy a bit of texture. This step is up to you and feel free to suit your fancy.

Then, after the graham crackers have been crushed, place them on a small saucer plate similar or like the size of the plate the honey is on. At this step, take your martini glass and dip the rim into the honey. In other words, you will dip the top/rim of the glass and also the side of the martini glass too so that the graham cracker can adhere to the side of the glass about a ½ inch down the glass.

Lastly, repeat this step depending on the number of people you are serving and set aside.

GRAB YOUR SHAKER AND POUR!

First, grab your cocktail shaker and add ¼ cup to ½ cup of ice. Second, pour in the vodka, cream, pineapple juice, vanilla extract and 2-3 drops of green food coloring. Do not worry, this does not affect the flavor of the drink at all and simply provides the green hue we are accustomed to seeing when eating the delicious treat!

Once the ingredients have been added to the shaker, cover the shaker with a lid and begin vigorously shaking for about 30 seconds. The longer you shake the ingredients, the "fluffier" and creamier it will become.

Lastly, once the martini has been shaken, evenly pour the martini amongst the dressed glasses and enjoy!

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE!

I love Key Lime Martini's because it takes me back to my amazing college years. During that season of my life, I did not shy away from trying tasty drinks. There is something about becoming legal to drink at 21 as an American that can open up loads of fun if you drink responsibility.

Now that I am older, I still enjoy adult beverage periodically and enjoy serving them to friends on special occasions.

If you like this recipe, you'll love this Strawberry Peach Bourbon Smash

Watermelon Cherry Frose

Jalapeno Pineapple Margarita