Key Lime Colada

The Key Lime Colada is a blended cocktail made with vodka inspired by the classic light rum cocktail, the Piña Colada. It combines lime-flavored vodka, coconut milk, fresh lime juice and simple syrup, topped off with biscuit crumbs. Blend and serve in a highball glass and you’ve got one dreamy, creamy cocktail.

“If you like key lime and if you want to feel like you’re sitting in the Florida Keys, this is your drink. You think it’s going to be super heavy and creamy, but it’s actually very light and flavorsome. This is a little twist on a Piña Colada,” shares Rico.

You’ve got the taste of zesty, tart lime mingling with rich, dessert-like coconut creaminess, plus a crunchy, malty biscuit finish. Rich, creamy and zesty!

The Key Lime Colada takes inspiration from the classic Piña Colada cocktail. For our recipe, we use Lime-Flavored Vodka where people commonly use Rum.

The Piña Colada is said to have been invented at a seaside bar in Puerto Rico during the 1950s. However, the date and birthplace of the Key Lime Colada is unknown. 

Key Limes are popular throughout the U.S., especially in Florida, where the iconic Key Lime Pie was not only invented but is “the official Florida state pie.”

As a contemporary variation on the classic Piña Colada, the Key Lime Colada was likely devised by bartenders looking to add a Floridian twist to the popular tropical cocktail.

Use Fresh Lime Juice
Ever wonder why your homemade drinks don’t quite match up to those bar favorites? The secret is fresh ingredients. It makes all the difference, especially when it comes to juicing your fruits.

Hot tip! Grab a Citrus Press and squeeze your own Lime Juice—it’ll give your Key Lime Colada that tart edge to cut through the thick creaminess of the Coconut Cream and perfectly complement the Lime-Flavored Vodka.

• Rum and Cream of Coconut
  Although we use Lime-Flavored Vodka for our Key Lime Colada recipe, you’ll find most recipes use Rum and Cream of Coconut (instead of Coconut Milk and Simple Syrup like we use here).Many recipes use Dark Rum, while other recipes use Coconut-Flavored Rum such as Malibu. Try this: Mix 2.5 parts Dark Rum, 1 part Lime Juice and 3 parts Cream of Coconut. Mix in a Blender with Ice Cubes. Garnish with Biscuit Crumbs and a Lime Wheel.
• Use Key Lime Juice
  If you want to capture those Florida vibes and the flavors of Key Lime Pie, try using Key Limes instead of regular limes—if they’re available where you are. 
  
  Key limes offer a more intense, tangy taste with a sharp, zesty, and slightly bitter profile. So, adjust the recipe to your taste.

• A Highball Glass is the perfect glassware type for this cocktail.
• To garnish, pop a Lime Wheel on the side of your glass to highlight the Lime Juice and Lime-Flavored Vodka. And for a delicious finishing touch, sprinkle some crushed biscuits on top.

Use Graham Crackers or Digestive Biscuits.

While most recipes for the Key Lime Cola and other creamy cocktails like Piña Colada use Cream of Coconut, for this vodka cocktail recipe, we recommend using Coconut Milk together with Simple Syrup.

Follow the simple instructions in our article on how to make Simple Syrup.

You can find Coconut Milk in any supermarket. If not, you’ll most certainly be able to find it in an Asian grocery store.