Key Lime Colada

key lime colada

If blender drinks are your thing, you’re gonna love this key lime colada. Like a frozen piña colada but with real key lime juice instead of pineapple.  These boat drinks will have you crooning to your favorite Jimmy Buffett tunes!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve naturally  considered frozen piña coladas  to be the ultimate summer vacation beverage. Whenever we’d travel during the sweltering summer months, it wasn’t a vacation until I’d had my first piña colada.  In South Florida, however, there’s a spot that makes a Key Lime Colada and I think it may have knocked the original off its lofty perch.

adding a graham cracker rim to the glass.

I don’t claim to be the originator of this cocktail, just an avid fan.  When we visit my parents in the Keys we always visit the Lorelei. It’s a very casual spot perched on the edge of the Florida Bay with spectacular sunsets, live music on the weekends awesome grilled fish sandwiches and ice cold margaritas and of course these spectacular key lime coladas. They are sweet and tangy and so good that brain freeze is almost guaranteed!

fresh squeezed key lime juice

At Lorelei, they’ve got multiple blender drinks dispensed from industrial frozen drink machines. All it takes is the pull of a lever to dispense their icy Key Lime Coladas, Bushwackers and Rum Runners.  In my own kitchen, I turn to my trusty Vita-Mix for blender drink recipes.  Naturally, Key Lime Coladas start with real key lime juice — each drink gets about 3 tablespoons of juice or 3 whole key limes. 

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rum and ice in the blender.

Next comes the rum. There are so many different varieties and price points of rum out there.  If I’m sipping rum or mixing it in a ‘Ti Punch, I go for Rhum Agricole from Martinique, but if I’m blending it with Coco-Lopez, I don’t feel I need to be as picky.  Mount Gay rum is moderately priced and gives this Key Lime Colada the flavor profile and  kick.

adding key lime juice to the blender.

Instead of pineapple juice I use key lime juice in a different ratio than you would for a frozen piña colada.  Pineapple juice is sweet after all, and these key limes are pucker-your-lips tart. Three parts cream of coconut to one part key lime juice gives you a lightly sweet, tangy and smooth libation.

Pouring key lime colada into a prepared glass.

In a nod to the world famous key lime pie – I’ve included a graham cracker rim (they do that at the Lorelei too) .

key lime colada with a graham cracker rim.

Finish the Key Lime Colada with a floater of rum and a thin slice of key lime for the glass.  The paper straw gives this cocktail a beach-vacation feel.  Just turn on Pandora and queue up Jimmy Buffett’s “Boat Drinks” to be transported to your idyllic island getaway. Happy va-cay!

key lime colada with a lime garnish.
key lime colada with bougainvillea.
key lime colada with a floater.

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4.71 from 17 votes

Key Lime Colada

Straight from the Florida Keys and perfect for a sweltering summer day, Key Lime Coladas are a perfect blend of sweet and tart with a kick!
Author: Lisa Lotts
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Keyword alcoholic drinks, boat drinks, cocktails, colada, cream of coconut, frozen drinks, key lime, rum drinks
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cups ice
  • 2 ½ ounces dark rum (divided)
  • 1 ounce key lime juice from about 3 key limes
  • 3 ounces cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez) Do not use coconut milk or coconut water
  • 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs optional

Optional Garnish

  • thin slice key lime
  • sprinkle toasted coconut
  • sprinkle graham cracker crumbs

DIRECTIONS:

  • Dip the rim of a glass in a shallow bowl of water to wet the rim. Add Graham cracker crumbs to a shallow dish and lightly shake so it’s a thin even layer. Dip the rim of the glass into the graham cracker crumbs until they stick. Set aside.
  • Add the ice, rum, key lime juice and cream of coconut to a blender. Blend until smooth and pour into the prepared glass.  Top the Key Lime Colada with the remaining 1/2 ounce of rum (a floater) and garnish as desired.

NUTRITION:

Calories: 664kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 52mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 63g | Vitamin C: 8.5mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1.2mg

“Pin It” For Later!

If you like frozen pina coladas & boat drinks, this key lime colada is for you. Fresh key lime juice, cream of coconut & dark rum make great blender drinks. #pinacolada #keylimes #keylimecocktails #frozendrinks #blenderdrinks #boatdrinks #cocolopez #creamofcoconut #darkrum #rum #keylimejuice, #coladarecipe, #vitamix #keylimecolada #islanddrinks #vacationdrinks #vacationcocktails #cocktails #alcoholicdrinks #rumdrinks

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15 Comments

  1. Melia Salisbury says:

    5 stars
    I made this because we just went to the Keys and we went to Lorelei’s and fell in love with this drink. The first time I made it per directions and the 2nd time I added a bit of Graham cracker crumbles to the drink and blended that in and OMG! 100% tastes like there drink. Thank you for the recipe. A drinkable Key Lime Pie.

  2. 5 stars
    Very good a keeper! Made on 7/14/23 used Malibu Coconut Rum

  3. Patricia Ashworth says:

    I had this at blind pelican in hollysprings NC and amazing is the first word that came to mind. Can’t wait till it warms up I’m definitely making this at home!!!

  4. Holly Keller says:

    Just had this at Lorelei so I had to google how to make it! And here I am, can’t wait to make it at home!

    1. You’ll have to let me know how my version stacks up to the Lorelei — of course, you won’t have that great view…

      1. Melia Salisbury says:

        5 stars
        I made this because we just went to the Keys and we went to Lorelei’s and fell in love with this drink. The first time I made it per directions and the 2nd time I added a bit of Graham cracker crumbles to the drink and blended that in and OMG! 100% tastes like there drink. Thank you for the recipe. A drinkable Key Lime Pie.

  5. Pinning it for later use… sounds like a winner! Enjoy your visit with family and Happy Fathers Day to the guys. I know between your mom and you in the kitchen you are all in for some really good meals!

    1. We’ve been eating non-stop — time for a diet!

  6. 5 stars
    wow the flavors in this are the perfect drink for us in Florida. Brings me right into Key West in my mind. I love this one!

  7. 5 stars
    Omg this sounds amazing, I love finding new fun cocktails to try!

  8. 5 stars
    This looks like an easy and perfect recipe for summer! Yum!