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    Home » Uncategorized

    Coconut Key Lime Pie Coolers

    Published: Apr 6, 2017 · Modified: Jun 16, 2022 by thekitchenprep · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Coconut Key Lime Pie Coolers! The combination tart and creamy will have you reaching for sip of this tasty coconut lime drink and remind you of sweet and smooth key lime pie with an extra tropical twist.

    Coconut lime drinks in glasses with squeezed limes & green napkin beside them.

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means that, at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click a link and purchase an item I’ve recommended. Thanks for your support in running this blog!

    As the mercury rises, so do the cravings for cool, refreshing drinks that chill you from the inside out!

    These Coconut Key Lime Coolers are like a sweet, island vacation in a glass! Made with tart lime juice and creamy coconut milk, the flavor combo is reminiscent of a decadent slice of key lime pie. A crushed graham cracker rim fully drives the flavor home! 

    This coconut lime drink can be made with or without alcohol, so it's a perfect sipper to bust out for the whole family to enjoy!

    Looking for more drink recipes to enjoy throughout the hot summer months? Try some of my favorite family-friendly drink like Strawberry Thyme Lemonade and Sparkling Mint Limeade or a few adult beverages like my Strawberry Mojitos or Watermelon Mojitos!

    This recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan (without the graham cracker rim. See notes in Variations and Substitutions area below.)

    Coconut Key Lime Pie Coolers! The combination of tart lime juice and creamy coconut milk will make you reach for another sip of this tasty drink and remind you of sweet and smooth key lime pie with an extra tropical twist. Rim the glass with crushed graham crackers to drive the flavor home!
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Rim Glasses
    • FAQ's
    • Variations & Subtitutions
    • Coconut Key Lime Pie Coolers

    Ingredients

    • Water. You'll need water to make the simple syrup sweetener as well as to cut the tartness and intensity of the lime juice.
    • Sugar. I used both granulated and brown sugar to give the simple syrup a deeper, more pie-like flavor, but either would work.
    • Fresh limes. You will need both the zest and the juice. Zest the limes before you juice them! You can use key lime juice if you're able to get key limes, but regular lime juice works just as well.
    • Coconut milk. Canned coconut milk, not the refrigerated kind, gives a rich, creamy mouthfeel and flavor to this drink.
    • Sparkling water. Bubbles make this fizzy and fun! Lime sparkling water or coconut sparkling water add extra flavor, but you can also use plain.
    • Honey. I found that honey works really well to adhere the graham cracker crumbs onto the rim, but you can also use a bit of simple syrup if you don't have or don't want to use honey.
    • Graham crackers. The graham cracker rim really gives it that Key Lime Pie flavor!

    Instructions

    Make Simple Syrup

    First things first, you'll want to start by making a quick simple syrup. Simple syrup is (simply!) water and sugar that is boiled until the sugar has dissolved. It can be used in all kinds of drink recipes like coffee drinks, cocktails and iced tea and flavored in a million ways!

    In a small saucepan, combine the sugars and water and bring to a boil over high heat until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the saucepan from the heat and toss in a few strips of lime peel. (I use a vegetable peeler to take of a thick strip of peel, avoiding the pith. The pith is the white layer under the peel that tastes bitter.)

    The essential oils from the lime peel will infuse the simple syrup with a citrusy flavor and give the drink and extra "lime-yness".

    Allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.

    Tip: This can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a week or two.

    Rim Glasses

    To get that tasty crushed graham cracker rim on your glasses:

    Place the graham crackers in a zip top bag (or in a food processor) and pulverize them until they're crumbled. Pour the crumbs onto a small plate.

    Pour honey (or simple syrup) onto a small plate. Flip the glasses over onto the plate to wet the rims and get them sticky.

    Dip the rims into the graham cracker crumbs to adhere. Set aside.

    Make Coconut Lime Drink

    Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the fresh lime juice, coconut milk, and cooled simple syrup. Secure the cocktail shaker top and shake vigorously for about 20-30 seconds.

    For a larger batch, you can stir this together in a pitcher.

    Tip: I love my citrus juicing attachment for my KitchenAid stand mixer any time I need a large amount of orange, lemon or lime juice! If you don't have a stand mixer, there are many inexpensive juicers that are great to have on hand.

    Fill the glasses with ice.

    Strain the lime juice into the graham cracker rimmed glasses, filling them about half-way. Top each with about ½ cup lime or coconut sparkling water (or more depending on how tart you like your drink) and stir to combine.

    Note: This version is non-alcoholic, but if desired, it can be turned into a cocktail with a shot of coconut rum or regular rum!

    Garnish with a strip of lime if desired.

    Coconut Key Lime Pie Coolers! The combination of tart lime juice and creamy coconut milk will make you reach for another sip of this tasty drink and remind you of sweet and smooth key lime pie with an extra tropical twist. Rim the glass with crushed graham crackers to drive the flavor home!

    FAQ's

    Can this be made ahead?

    The simple syrup can be made ahead and the limes can be juiced ahead of time (both stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator), but the drink should be put together just before serving for best results.

    What is a key lime?

    Key limes are small, round limes that are native to tropical Southeast Asia, but can be found in many tropical areas around the world. In contrast to standard Persian limes, Key limes contain more seeds, have a thinner skin and are less acid, making their juice ideal for baked goods and drinks.

    Variations & Subtitutions

    Want to try a twist on this refreshing concoction? Here are some variations:

    • Add vanilla extract or a knob of fresh ginger to the simple syrup for a flavorful addition.
    • Replace the sparkling water with ginger beer (Fever Tree is my favorite) for a spicy bite.
    • Add a shot of your favorite liquor to make it a cocktail. Coconut rum, plain rum or tequila are all good choices!

    Diet-Specific Substitutions

    • Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free graham crackers for the rim.
    • Vegan: Use date syrup or simple syrup and vegan graham crackers to rim the glasses for a vegan-friendly version.
    Coconut Key Lime Pie Coolers! The combination of tart lime juice and creamy coconut milk will make you reach for another sip of this tasty drink and remind you of sweet and smooth key lime pie with an extra tropical twist. Rim the glass with crushed graham crackers to drive the flavor home!
    Coconut lime drinks in glasses with squeezed limes & green napkin beside them.

    Coconut Key Lime Pie Coolers

    Dianna Muscari | The Kitchen Prep
    Coconut Key Lime Pie Coolers! The combination tart and creamy will have you reaching for sip of this tasty coconut lime drink and remind you of sweet and smooth key lime pie with an extra tropical twist.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup water
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    • zest of 1 lime
    • 1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice or key lime juice
    • ⅓ cup tablespoons canned coconut milk
    • 2 cups sparkling water lime flavored, coconut flavored or plain

    For Rims

    • 2 tablespoons honey or simple syrup
    • ¼ cup crushed graham crackers

    Instructions
     

    Make Simple Syrup

    • In a small saucepan, bring the water and sugars to a simmer over medium-high heat. Boil for about a minute until the sugars are completely dissolved.
    • Add the lime peel and allow to steep as it cools, about 10 minutes.
    • Discard the lime peel and set aside.

    Rim Glasses

    • Pour honey or simple syrup onto a small plate. Place the graham cracker crumbs onto another small plate.
    • Dip the rim of each glass first into the honey or syrup, allowing any excess to drip off, then into graham cracker crumbs.
    • Fill each glass with ice and set aside.

    Make Coconut Lime Drink

    • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the fresh lime juice, coconut milk, and cooled sugar syrup. Secure the cocktail shaker top and shake vigorously for about 20-30 seconds.
    • Strain into glasses, filling each about half way.
    • Top each with about ½ cup sparkling water (or more) and stir with a drink stirrer to combine.
    • Garnish with a lime twist, if desired.

    Notes

    Variations
    • Add vanilla extract or a knob of fresh ginger to the simple syrup for a flavorful addition.
    • Replace the sparkling water with ginger beer (Fever Tree is my favorite) for a spicy bite.
    • Add a shot of your favorite liquor to make it a cocktail. Coconut rum, plain rum or tequila are all good choices!
    Diet-Specific Substitutions
    • Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free graham crackers for the rim.
    • Vegan: Use date syrup or simple syrup and vegan graham crackers to rim the glasses for a vegan-friendly version.

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    Hi! I'm Dianna. I used to think cooking had to be complicated to be good, so I never considered it "my thing." Now I know that's far from true, and my mission is to create & share easy, mouthwatering recipes - from weeknight dinners to simple bites for entertaining - that anyone can make! Join me in my South Florida kitchen and let's get cooking!

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