Known for their lucious citrus flavor, key limes are beloved by culinary artists for what they can add to a flavor profile, and mixologists experiment with the ingredient in much the same way, such as with crafting a well-balanced key lime martini. In fact, one of the best aspects of a key lime martini is its subtle but memorable flavor and easy construction. Anyone, including you, can make a delicious key lime martini.
Key Lime Martini
The key lime martini recipe carefully switches up the regular martini formula by incorporating the tart flavors of key limes. Simply mix all of the ingredients together in a cocktail shaker until chilled and serve in the quintessential martini glass.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce key lime juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 1½ ounce vanilla vodka
- Ice
- Key lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the key lime juice, simple syrup, and vanilla vodka.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a martini glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
Key Lime Martini Variations
Thankfully, you don't have to settle for just one way to make a key lime martini, as these different recipes explore. From incorporating a fizzy element to transforming a drink into a dessert, any one of these recipes will tantalize your palate.
Bubbly Key Lime Martini
This version of the key lime martini adds some extra tartness and sweetness and tops it off with a fizzy note by adding a splash of key lime sparkling water to the finished product.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ½ ounce pineapple juice
- 1 ounce key lime juice
- 2 ounces vanilla vodka
- Ice
- Splash of key lime sparkling water
- Key lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the simple syrup, pineapple juice, key lime juice, and vodka.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a martini glass and top with a splash of key lime flavored sparkling water. Garnish with a key lime wedge.
Key West Martini
The Key West martini is a close cousin to the key lime martini and adds key lime liquor to the original mixture for an extra mouth-watering flavor.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1½ ounces key lime liqueur
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- Ice
- Key lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lime juice, key lime liqueur, and vanilla vodka. Add ice and shake well.
- Strain the mixture into a martini glass and garnish with the lime wedges.
Key Lime Pie Martini
Everyone's favorite family dessert can easily be converted into a cocktail using these five simple steps and a couple of ingredients you might already have on-hand.
Ingredients
- 2 crushed graham crackers, for garnish
- 1 key lime wedge and 1 key lime wheel for garnish
- ½ ounce key lime juice
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 3 ounces vanilla-flavored vodka
- Ice
Instructions
- Place the crushed graham crackers onto a pie plate or shallow dish.
- Wet the rim of a martini glass with the lime wedge and coat it with the crumbs.
- Chill the glass for at least thirty minutes to make sure the crumbs are secure.
- Combine the key lime juice, pineapple juice, and vodka in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glass and garnish with the lime wheel.
Lime(a) Bean Martini
Don't be too alarmed by the Lime(a) Bean Martini's name; there's no lima beans in sight when you're mixing up this drink. This cocktail recipe focuses on balancing the lime flavors in the classic martini with vanilla extract.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 ounce key lime juice
- ½ ounce lime vodka
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- Ice
- Lime slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail glass, combine the vanilla extract, key lime juice, lime vodka, and vanilla vodka.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Pour the mixture into a martini glass and garnish with a lime slice.
Malibu Key Lime Martini
Take a trip from the East coast to the West coast with his Malibu key lime martini that incorporates coconut milk and Malibu rum to create a truly tasty, tropical drink.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce key lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce Malibu rum
- 1 ounces vanilla vodka
- ½ ounce coconut milk
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the key lime juice, coconut milk, Malibu rum, vanilla vodka, and coconut milk.
- Add ice and shake until chilled. and strain the mixture into a martini glass.
Skinny Key Lime Martini
On those days when you're wanting something refreshing but don't want to regret it later, try making yourself a skinny key lime martini.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce organic pineapple juice
- ½ ounce sugar-free vanilla syrup
- 1½ ounce freshly squeezed key lime juice
- 2 ounces vodka
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the pineapple juice, vanilla syrup, coconut cream, key lime juice, and vodka.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a martini glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
The Key Is the Key Limes
Some mixologists are very protective of their trade secrets, but there's nothing to hide with this list of key lime martini recipes that're all mouth-watering in their own right. After all, the keys in the key limes.
