A Key lime Martini Recipe that Brings Back the Flavor of Amelia Island, Florida

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is try the local food. I also love to try the local cocktails. While exploring Amelia Island’s restaurants, I came across a key lime martini, something I had never even heard of before or seen on a menu.

This luscious concoction introduced me not only to a new cream-based drink, but also a new liquor I would soon learn I loved. I knew I had to try to make my own at home.

There is a trick to a key lime martini. It all begins with how you like your key lime pie. Do you like it more tangy, filled with lime, or a bit more creamy with a subtle citrus flavor?

Creating the perfect Key Lime Pie Martini

Key lime pie is one of those bites that you either get right, or very, very wrong. I like a strong lime flavor. I don’t want my pie to taste like condensed milk. It should taste like key limes. It’s not called condensed milk pie, after all; it’s called Key lime pie.

My mouth needs to pucker when I take that first bite. The same goes when I drink a Key lime martini. I want that pucker of lime refreshment to hit me and then mellow out with the cream.

What is a key lime martini, you ask? It’s a glorious concoction of citrus, cream, zest and Licor 43. Many key lime martini recipes out there call for vanilla vodka, but I found that Licor 43 gives this martini a true key lime taste without overpowering it with an alcohol flavor.

What is Licor 43 ?

Licor 43 is a Spanish liquor that you can find in many liquor stores. It combines 43 flavors, but has a strong vanilla taste. It doesn’t have a great smell, but tastes spectacular and goes down smooth.

Watch out, though. These key lime pie martinis are deceptively strong. You won’t taste much of the alcohol, but it’s in there. Slow and steady is the name of the game when you drink these. If you have trouble with lactose, pop a Lactaid. It will be worth it, especially if you top this cocktail recipe with whipping cream!

Key Lime Martini Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 oz Licor 43
• 1 oz Pineapple juice
• 1 oz Fresh lime juice (about 1-2 limes)
• 1 oz cream
• 1/3 – ½ tsp lime zest
• Ice cubes
• Graham crackers (crush or put in a food processor to make fine crumbs)

Key Lime Recipe Instructions

• Combine Licor 43, pineapple juice, lime juice, cream, and lime zest in a cocktail shaker.
• Add ice cubes
• Shake well
• Dip rim of martini glass in sugar water (simple syrup)
• Dip rim in plate of crushed graham crackers
• Pour liquid into glass up to the rim
• Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly and NEVER drink and drive. 

Yield: One

Key Lime Martini Recipe

Print

Tart, delicious and one of the smoothest drinks you will shake up this season. If you love Key Lime Pie, you will swoon over this martini recipe.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Licor 43
• 1 oz Pineapple juice
• 1 oz Fresh lime juice (about 1-2 limes)
• 1 oz cream
• 1/3 - ½ tsp lime zest
• Ice cubes
• Graham crackers (crush or put in a food processor to make fine crumbs)

Instructions

1. Combine Licor 43, pineapple juice, lime juice, cream and lime zest in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add ice
3. Shake well
4. Dip rim of martini glass in sugar water (simple syrup)
5. Dip rim in plate of graham cracker crumbs
6. Pour liquid into glass up to the rim
7. Enjoy!

Notes

Add more or less lime zest depending on how tart you like your key lime pie flavor.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 190Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 78mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 2g

All nutritional details are estimated