Key Lime Martini

Creamy, tangy and frothy, the Key Lime Martini is like drinking your favorite dessert pie.

It’s a hot and sweaty afternoon in Key West, Florida. I’m wearing my lightest clothes, an outfit that’s loose, billowy and made up almost entirely of linen. Except for my yacht-ready slip-on shoes. The gentle wind cools my skin, but can’t quench my thirst. Swallowing, I hear the clicking in my dry throat. There’s a task ahead, but sooner rather than later, I would need a drink.

On the hunt for the perfect slice of Key Lime pie, my research had brought me to this popular tourist destination. Legend tells that, sometime in the late 1800s I believe, the limes grown in this part of the world, Key limes, were used to craft a tangy and creamy dessert. I’ve eaten quite a few slices of this heavenly pie in my time, now I must come to its supposed birthplace. And there, nestled amongst a tangle of palm trees at the end of a crooked walkway, stood an old saloon-looking building. A ragged sign hung above the entrance… The Key Lime, it read. This must be the place.

I walked in and looked around… every table was filled with quiet and sleepy-looking patrons. Everyone had a slice of Key Lime pie… and some kind of creamy-looking cocktail in a martini glass. I licked my lips, suddenly becoming even thirstier than before. From the back of the humid room, under a rickety and slow ceiling fan, a hand waved at me. My contact. I rushed over and sat, a slice of pie waiting for me. And a glass of whatever everyone else was drinking.

Before a word was said, I scooped up the drink and took a long and slow sip. Every flavor hit me all at once, in an eye-popping and delicious rush. Coconut and lime, vanilla and orange notes, which I recognized as vodka and triple sec… what brilliance is this? Sweet, tart and strong, I finished this indulgent drink in no time at all. My contact smiled. “Another Key Lime Martini?”, they asked. I nodded vigorously.

Another glass was suddenly placed before me and I couldn’t put it to my lips fast enough. The pie would have to wait. At least for a few minutes.

What is the Best Alcohol to Use in a Key Lime Martini?

For this dessert-like beverage, our recipe recommends a vanilla-flavored vodka along with triple sec, which brings some orange notes that meld nicely with the lime juice. If you find this cocktail a little too sweet for your taste buds, go with an unflavored spirit or leave out the triple sec. You can also play with the ratios to find the flavor that suits you best.

FAQs & Tips

Key Lime Martini Variations

Once dinner and all of its courses have been enjoyed and devoured, it is now time to sit back and have some dessert. Or a drink, perhaps? You’re much too full to have both. If you did, you might just explode. No, let’s play it safe and choose one. The boozy path sounds like a much more interesting way to end the evening, and maybe a little tipple might help with your digestion. The Key Lime Martini has sparked a new interest for you, and now you want to try as many dessert-like and decadent cocktails as you can. Not all at once, of course. Start by trying a few of these out below.

• Sugar Cookie Martini – Sweet and creamy, this boozy treat might knock you out before the sun goes down.
• Chocolate Martini – If you can’t decide between cake or a cocktail, let this beverage choose for you.
• Baileys Espresso Martini – Irish cream and espresso make for a peppy and indulgent drink.
• Frozen Mudslide – Not in the mood for a martini? Try this Kahlúa and vodka-filled frozen delicacy.