How to Make a Key Lime Martini

You can bring the Key West of Florida to an evening with friends by surprising them with margaritas and a tart key lime martini. Mixing a martini has become an art form, with many various styles to choose from. As new flavors of vodka are produced, there are new martini recipes to try. If you like the taste of key lime pie, then you're in luck with this key lime martini recipe.

Step 1 - Prepping the Martini Glass

This is an important step, because it adds sweetness to the cocktail as you're drinking it. Place the lime-flavored cocktail candy on a plate. Cut a wedge out of the lime and rub the rim of the glass with it. Turn the martini glass upside down and place it in the candy and twist it a little. You will have a sugar rimmed martini glass. Cut a slide in a candy lime slice and slide it on to the rim.

Step 2 - Mixing the Key Lime Martini

It's important that the drink shake you're using is completely clean and free of any residue from previous cocktails. Carefully measure out 2 1/2 ounces of vanilla vodka and 1/2 ounce of pineapple juice. You can substitute lemon juice if you like, but pineapple juice is commonly used in a key lime pie recipe. Add ice to the drink shaker so it's about 3/4 full, then pour in the vodka and juice. Squeeze the fresh lime to expel the juice in the shaker then toss the lime in the mix. Put the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously, so you thoroughly combine the juice and the liquor together. You will also make the drink ice cold. Stop shaking the mixture and remove the lid. Measure out and add 1/2 ounce of heavy cream. Put the lid back on and shake gently to combine. Under most circumstances, the cream would curdle due to the citrus, but the liquor acts as a stabilizer.

Step 3 - Straining and Pouring

Now that the key lime martini is fully mixed, all that's left is to strain and pour it. The glass is prepared, so place the straining lid on top of the drink shaker. Hold it over the center of the prepared martini glass and slowly pour the key lime martini into it. The strainer will prevent any of the ice making its way in to the glass, as well as bits of the actual lime. Be careful to not fill the glass too high. Stop pouring once the key lime martini reaches just below the lime-flavored cocktail candy rim.

Step 4 - Serving the Key Lime Martini

This is as sweet as it is tart and bitter. It is, in fact, a dessert cocktail. A good pairing would be with graham crackers and lemon curd. This combination will truly make it a key lime pie.