Do you have thoughts on the Florida Keys? This Key Lime Pie Shot is a sweet-tart vodka shooter made with whipped cream vodka, key lime juice, and an optional gluten-free graham cracker rim. It has the bright citrus flavor of key lime pie with a creamy vanilla-style finish from the whipped cream vodka — no RumChata needed.
If you love dessert shots, summer cocktails, or drinks inspired by the Florida Keys, this easy key lime shot is a fun one to make for parties, girls’ nights, cookouts, or a tropical happy hour at home. It takes just 5 minutes and only 2 main ingredients.
The drink will take you to a tropical day on a boat off the coast of the Florida Keys, in a hammock between palm trees, or your favorite watering hole in Key West.
What Is a Key Lime Pie Shot?
A key lime pie shot is a dessert-style vodka shooter inspired by the flavors of classic key lime pie. Most versions include lime, a creamy or vanilla-flavored alcohol, and a graham cracker rim to mimic the pie crust.
This version keeps things simple with whipped cream vodka and key lime juice. The whipped cream vodka adds sweetness and a creamy vanilla flavor, while the key lime juice keeps the shot bright, tart, and refreshing.
❤Why You’ll Love This Key Lime Pie Shot Recipe
- Only 2 main ingredients: whipped cream vodka and key lime juice.
- No RumChata needed: This version is lighter, brighter, and less creamy than many key lime pie shot recipes.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs for the rim.
- Fast party drink: It takes about 5 minutes from start to finish.
- Sweet, tart, and tropical: The flavor is inspired by key lime pie and the Florida Keys.
- Easy to scale: Make one shot or shake up a batch for a group.
🛒Key Lime Pie Shot Ingredients
Whipped cream vodka: This gives the shot its sweet, creamy, dessert-like flavor. It helps create that key lime pie flavor without needing heavy cream or RumChata.
Key lime juice: Key lime juice gives this shot its bright, tart citrus flavor. Fresh key lime juice is delicious, but bottled key lime juice works well too. I prefer Nellie and Joe's Key Lime Juice.
Graham cracker crumbs: These are optional, but they make the shot taste more like key lime pie crust. Use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs if you need this recipe to stay gluten-free.
Key lime wedge: A small lime wedge or wheel makes the shot look fresh and party-ready.
How to Make a Key Lime Pie Shot
Rim the glass. Dip the edge of the shot glass in key lime juice, then dip it into graham cracker crumbs. Use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs if needed.
Shake the shot. Add whipped cream vodka and key lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Pour and garnish. Shake until chilled, pour into the prepared shot glass, and garnish with a key lime wedge.
Serve right away. This key lime pie shot tastes best cold and freshly shaken.
Tips and Tricks for this Key Lime Pie Shot
- Chill the shot well. Shake the whipped cream vodka and key lime juice with ice for about 30 seconds so the shot is cold and smooth.
- Use a graham cracker rim. The rim gives the drink that classic key lime pie crust flavor.
- Make it gluten-free. Choose gluten-free graham cracker crumbs if needed.
- Serve immediately. This shot tastes best freshly shaken and poured.
- Adjust the tartness. If you like a sweeter shot, use slightly less key lime juice. If you love tart citrus flavor, use the full amount.
- If you do not have whipped cream vodka, vanilla vodka is the easiest substitute. If using a cream liqueur, always check the label to ensure the drink is gluten-free.
- Key lime juice gives the shot its classic tart lime flavor. If you are feeling froggy on your bottled key lime juice, try a bottle of Kermit's in Key West.
Can I Use Regular Lime Juice Instead of Key Lime Juice?
Yes, you can use regular lime juice if you do not have key lime juice. Key lime juice has a slightly more floral, tart flavor, while regular lime juice is sharper and easier to find. For the best key lime pie flavor, use key lime juice when possible.
Do You Need RumChata for a Key Lime Pie Shot?
No, you do not need RumChata for this key lime pie shot. Many key lime pie shot recipes use RumChata or another cream liqueur, but this version uses whipped cream vodka for sweetness and creamy flavor. That keeps the shot simple, bright, and easy to make with just 2 main ingredients.
How to Make Key Lime Pie Shots for a Party
To make a batch, multiply the recipe by the number of shots you need. Add the whipped cream vodka and key lime juice to a cocktail shaker with ice, shake until chilled, and pour into prepared shot glasses. Rim the glasses with gluten-free graham cracker crumbs before serving for the best key lime pie flavor.
Key Lime Pie Shot FAQs
What is in a Key Lime Pie Shot?
This key lime pie shot is made with whipped cream vodka and key lime juice. You can also add a gluten-free graham cracker rim to give it more classic key lime pie flavor.
What does a Key Lime Pie Shot taste like?
A key lime pie shot tastes sweet, tart, creamy, and citrusy. The key lime juice gives it a bright lime flavor, the whipped cream vodka adds sweetness, and the graham cracker rim makes it taste more like key lime pie.
Can I make this Key Lime Pie Shot gluten-free?
Yes. The drink itself is made with vodka and key lime juice, but the graham cracker rim needs to be made with gluten-free graham cracker crumbs if you are serving someone who avoids gluten.
Can I use bottled key lime juice?
Yes, bottled key lime juice works well in this recipe. Fresh key lime juice is great if you have it, but bottled juice makes this shot quick and easy.
Can I make this shot without a cocktail shaker?
Yes. Add the whipped cream vodka and key lime juice to a glass with ice, stir well until chilled, and strain into a shot glass. A cocktail shaker gives the coldest, smoothest result, but stirring works in a pinch.
Does this Key Lime Pie Shot have RumChata?
No. This recipe does not use RumChata. It gets its sweet, creamy flavor from whipped cream vodka instead.
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Key Lime Pie Shot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 oz whipped cream vodka
- 1 oz key lime juice
- key lime wedge optional garnish
Optional to Rim the Glass
- 1 oz key lime juice
- ¼ cup graham cracker crumbs (gluten free if needed)
Instructions
- (Optional) To rim the glass, add the key lime juice to a small shallow bowl and the graham cracker crumbs to another small shallow bowl. Dip a shot glass in the lime juice and then in the graham cracker crumbs.
- Add the whipped cream vodka and key lime juice to a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake until chilled– about 30 seconds.
- Pour the shot into the prepared glass and garnish with a wheel of key lime. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Rimming the glass with graham cracker crumbs adds that classic buttery crunch to the shot that we all love in key lime pie!
- Whipped cream vodka adds a sweet creamy flavor to the shot. If you don’t have whipped cream vodka on hand, you can use ½ ounce vodka and ½ ounce Bailey’s Irish cream.
- Key lime juice is what gives the shot its classic tart lime flavor. I’m using fresh key lime juice but bottled would work too.
