Let’s make this Thirsty Thursday an epic affair with my bodaciously boozy Key Lime Milkshakes! Featuring creamy, dreamy vanilla ice cream, freshly squeezed lime juice, warmly spiced graham crackers, and three (3!!!) types of alcohol, this boozy milkshakes recipe is designed to make your happy hour a whole lot cooler.
Update: This post was originally published in August 2016. I’ve updated the post below to include more information about homemade Milkshakes. Plus, I’ve included a recipe video to show you how easy this Lime Milkshake is to make!
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About this boozy milkshake recipe
Aside from being a frosty, sippable embodiment of Florida’s favorite pie, this boozy milkshake recipe is:
- Made With Just 7 Ingredients – And 3 of them are booze, so you know this boozy shake recipe is meant for a good time. (Sober curious? No worries! I’ve got you covered with a 5-ingredient virgin key lime pie milk shake adaptation below.)
- Quick & Easy – You only need approximately .47 seconds and a quick spin in the blender to make this key lime pie drink with vodka and tequila. Huzzah!
- Meal Prep-Friendly – Okay, “meal” is a stretch, but you can easily prepare a big batch of these bad boys and keep them in the freezer. That’s what I do so there’s always plenty of boozy milkshakes near me!
Ingredients for boozy milkshakes
- Vanilla Ice Cream – Homemade or premium store-bought are both great options.
- Key Limes – If possible, try getting your hands on fresh key limes. In a pinch, Nellie & Joe’s Famous Key West Lime Juice is a good bottled option.
- In a pinch, slightly more tart, less floral Persian limes are also acceptable.
- Irish Cream – For an added dose of creaminess with an extra shot of boozy fun!
- You can easily swap in milk for any of the booze options if you prefer.
- Lime Vodka – I wanted to double down on the lime flavor, so I went with lime vodka.
- Feel free to use regular vodka and add an extra splash of lime juice.
- Tequila – I used more neutral-flavored tequila blanco, but reposado will also work.
- Not a fan of tequila? Try swapping in white or coconut rum instead.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – Making this lime milkshake with condensed milk helps to give it the real “key lime pie” flavor we’re after.
- Feel free to swap in the plant-based sweetened condensed milk of your choosing if you’re vegan or dairy-free!
- Graham Crackers – Since these are supposed to be key lime PIE milkshakes, I wanted to ensure we got the graham cracker crust flavor in there. You’re welcome to use GF grahams if needed.
- For a slightly spicier alternative, try ginger snaps. You can also use crushed shortbread or animal crackers in a pinch!
Recipe variations
- Virgin Milkshake: If you want to make this milkshake without the booze, increase the amount of lime juice to 1/4 of a cup. Eliminate ALL of the alcohol and substitute 1/2 cup of milk. Follow the recipe as instructed.
- Extra Tart: For a boozy milkshake with a stronger key lime flavor, add 1/2 – 1 teaspoon lime zest. If you want a SUPER strong key lime flavor, increase the amount of key lime juice in the shake to 1/4 of a cup and swap out the tequila for more lime vodka.
- Coconut Key Lime Pie Milkshake: If you are a fan of coconut, these lime shakes taste really delicious with the addition of coconut rum (Malibu) and a toasted coconut garnish!
How to make this boozy shake
These boozy milkshakes with key lime are super simple to prepare. Here’s how:
There is nothing better than a cold, creamy milkshake on a warm summer day! Thankfully, making a milkshake at home is ridiculously easy!
- Add ice cream, key lime juice and either alcohol (for a boozy shake) or milk (for a virgin shake) to a blender.
- Blend on high speed until combined, but still thick, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Pour shake into an ice cold glass, garnish and enjoy!
How to make a boozy milkshake without a blender?
Making this key lime milkshake without a blender is a lot easier than you think! You can either use a different kitchen appliance or a little arm strength. Here’s how:
- Food Processor: Add the ice cream, condensed milk and lime juice to the food processor. Add in either the milk for a non-boozy shake, or alcohol for a boozy shake. Blend until combined.
- Immersion Blender: Add all of the milkshake ingredients to a deep bowl. Insert the immersion blender, turn it on and blend until the shake is thoroughly mixed.
- Mason Jar (or any container with a lid): Make sure you use a jar big enough to hold all of the milkshake ingredients with a bit of room to spare. Seal with a lid and shake for several minutes until combined.
- Whisk & Bowl: Make sure you start with slightly softened ice cream. Place ice cream in a deep bowl and whisk to break up the ice cream until it’s a thick consistency. Add the remaining ingredients and continue to whisk until combined.
Expert tips for the best lime milkshake
- I found exactly 1 ½ full sheets of graham crackers to be the perfect amount to give the key lime pie shake the perfect amount of graham cracker crust taste without being overwhelming. However, if the crust is your favorite part of the pie, you can certainly add more crushed graham crackers to your shake! I also strongly suggest making a graham cracker rim for extra yumminess.
- You can transfer the tequila milkshake to an ice cream container and keep it in the freezer for up to 2 months. I like to triple the recipe and keep them in the freezer to have on hand when I need a boozy little treat at the end of the day. It’s the best idea ever, and I strongly suggest you follow my lead!
FAQs: milkshakes with booze
Can you make key lime milkshakes in advance?
Yes! Blend the milkshake according to recipe directions and then transfer the key lime rum cream drinks to a freezer-safe air-tight container and store in the freezer until you are ready to use. The addition of booze helps keep the mixture from freezing all the way through, so it’ll stay roughly soft-serve consistency.
Make sure you let the frozen key lime pie drink mixture sit out for about 5 minutes or so to soften so you can easily pour it into serving glasses!
How do you make a milkshake thick?
The secret is all about balancing out the frozen ingredients with the liquid ones. If you shakes feel a little too loose, you can either add a bit more ice cream to the mix and reblend, or pop them in the freezer for about 30 minutes to an hour to get frostier and firmer.
Serving boozy milkshakes recipe
Ready to take a delicious twist on a classic dessert? Let’s talk about serving up your fantastic Boozy Key Lime Pie Milkshakes in ways that’ll have everyone cheering for another round. 🥧🍹
- Tropical Luau Party: Hosting a tropical-themed get-together? Serve your Boozy Key Lime Pie Milkshakes in coconut half-shells. Rim the edges with toasted coconut for that extra flair. Garnish with a mini paper umbrella and a slice of fresh key lime on the rim. Your guests will feel like they’re sipping paradise in a glass!
- Dessert Bar Delight: If you’re throwing a dessert bar extravaganza, set up a “Shake Your Own Adventure” station. Provide various toppings like crushed graham crackers, zesty lime wedges, colorful sprinkles, and even a selection of mini liqueur bottles for an extra splash of boozy fun. Let everyone customize their milkshake masterpiece!
- Movie Night Magic: Planning a cozy movie night at home? Transform your Boozy Key Lime Pie Milkshakes into the star of the show. Serve them in vintage-style soda fountain glasses with long spoons for easy sipping and scooping. Pair these treats with classic popcorn for the ultimate movie snack combo.
- Beachy Bonfire Bliss: Headed to the beach for a bonfire evening? Pack your milkshakes in insulated tumblers to keep them frosty. Bring along a small portable cooler with crushed ice and let guests help themselves. After roasting marshmallows, gather ’round the fire and enjoy the tangy-sweet goodness of your Key Lime Pie Milkshakes against the backdrop of crashing waves.
- Fancy Friday Night: Elevate your milkshake game for a fancier dinner party. Serve your creations in elegant martini glasses for a sophisticated twist. Rim the glass edges with salted graham cracker crumbs, and garnish with a thin lime wheel perched on the rim. Your guests will be wowed by this dessert cocktail concoction!
Storing leftover shakes
- Leftovers of your boozy milkshakes can be transferred to an airtight container and frozen for up to 2 months. Allow to defrost at room temp for about 5 minutes to return to a pourable consistency, or dive right in with a spoon for boozy soft serve. 🍦
- For virgin key lime shakes, pour leftovers into popsicle molds. Without the booze in there, they’ll freeze harder, making them perfect for ice cream bars.
As you embark on your Boozy Key Lime Pie Milkshake journey, remember that the zest is yet to come! So go ahead, whip up a smile and raise a glass to this slurpable slice of pie-fection. Cheers to liming and dining with a twist that’s as sweet as it is tangy! Until next time, stay sweet, stay zesty, and keep on shaking it, you milkshake maestro!
Cheyanne
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The best Key Lime Pie Milkshake recipe👇
Boozy Milkshakes
Equipment
- 1 High Powered Blender
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 Cups Vanilla Ice Cream
- ¼ Cup Irish Cream Liqueur (SEE NOTES for non-boozy milkshake)
- 3 TBS Lime Vodka (SEE NOTES for non-boozy milkshake)
- 3 TBS Key Lime Juice
- 2 TBS Tequila (SEE NOTES for non-boozy milkshake)
- 2 TBS Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 ½ Sheets Graham Crackers
- 1/2 -1 tsp Key Lime Zest - OPTIONAL (see notes)
RIM:
- 3 TBS Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 2 Graham Crackers - crushed
- Optional Garnishes: Graham Crackers, Lime Zest, Homemade Whipped Cream
Instructions
- For the Rim: Place the sweetened condensed milk in a small, shallow dish dish. Place the crushed graham crackers in a second small, shallow dish. Dip the rim of each glass into the condensed milk, twirling to coat. Then, dip the rim into the crushed crackers to evenly coat. Transfer the glasses to the freezer until ready to serve.
- For the Milkshake: Place all the ingredients for the milkshake into a high-powered blender. Process until well blended, but still thick, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Serve: Divide the milkshakes between the prepared glasses. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with lime zest and crushed graham crackers. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If you want to make this milkshake NON boozy, increase the amount of lime juice to 1/4 of a cup. Eliminate ALL of the alcohol and substitute 1/2 cup of milk. Follow recipe as instructed.
- For a milkshake with a stronger key lime flavor, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon lime zest!
- Coconut Lime Shakes: If you are a fan of coconut, these lime shakes taste really delicious with the addition of coconut rum (Malibu) and a toasted coconut garnish! Add 1 TBS Coconut Rum (Malibu) to the milkshake recipe.
- If you want a strong key lime flavor, increase the amount of key lime juice in the shake to 1/4 of a cup and swap out the tequila for more lime vodka.
- Graham Crackers: I found exactly 1 ½ full sheets of graham crackers to be the perfect amount to give the shake a pie crust taste without being over whelming. However, if the crust is your favorite part of the pie, you can certainly add more crushed graham crackers to your shake!
- Storing: You can transfer the milkshake to an ice cream container and keep these milkshakes in the freezer for up to 2 months. I have been making these shakes for the past few months, tripling the amount and keeping them in the freezer to have on hand when I need a boozy little treat at the end of the day. It’s the best idea ever, and I strongly suggest you follow my lead!
Nutrition
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I love all things key lime and these milkshakes look SOOO creamy! I’ll take the triple booze option please! 😉
This a definite must try for the summer, love the 2 options too! Key lime is a must go to!
Sign me up for one of these Chey! I adore key lime pie, so add some booze and make it into a shake and I’m all in! Happy 4th Chey. Hope you have an awesome week!
A milkshake is kind of like a smoothie, which means I can have this for breakfast right? It sounds AMAZING! I absolutely love lime and who doesn’t love a good milkshake? Have a great week, Chey! And happy July 4th!
My response to this is a big huge “YES PLEASE”.
first of all key lime is hands down my favorite pie. and then you make it into a boozy milkshake. hats off my friend! cannot wait to give this one a try. delish!!
Cheyanne! These milkshakes are everything! I am in love with the coconut key lime combo, and I don’t think there’s a a better time to enjoy them than right now. Such a perfect way to soak up the last of summer!
Boozy milkshakes are the best! This looks delicious! So glad you shared this recipe! Love the flavors!
Oh my gosh, these look so decadent and delicious! I’m down with life goals .
I think it was worth the wait….cause we can make them NOW! Nothing better than a dessert and drink all in one 🙂
Thank goodness you finally shared this recipe, because it looks OUTSTANDING! Coconut and key lime pie are the best summertime milkshake flavors. I could definitely suck this down real quick. Love it!
Boy, I could use this right about now! We’ve been packing Nick up for his move back to college (sniff sniff) and this is the first real break I’ve had in a couple days…. Wishing I could enjoy one of these boozy refreshments right about now!! Delicious and oh so pretty! Thanks for sharing, sweets! Here’s to a great weekend! Cheers! xoxo
you make the best milkshakes Cheyanne! this sounds delicious!
Your boozy milkshakes are the bomb, Cheyanne! Love them – and it’s friday so I know what’s on my to do list for tonight! Have a great weekend!
These milkshakes look incredible, Cheyanne! Love the coconut and key lime flavour – so yummy. These are definitely the perfect weekend treat! 🙂
OK, I need one of these asap, I love your shots, they make me feel cooler already!
Well, I know what I’m going to be craving this weekend. Thanks a lot. People don’t do lime in milkshakes enough. Thanks for fulfilling my lime dreams, girl!
The IMPORTANT thing is that you finally shared them, and since they are lightening fast to make we can all make lots and lots and lots of them so that we can catch up on all the coconut deliciousness! And meantime, how is it that I am just finding out about Thirsty Thursday? Because that is something that I can definitely support with all my heart and soul. Happy weekend, sweet pea!
It’s probably for the best that you held off on sharing these 😉 I would have been drinking them nonstop if I knew about them sooner! What the perfect flavor!
I have been craving an ice cream milkshake for ages now and one with coconut in it sounds like it has to be made this weekend!
This is a dream come true for me. As a lover of all things coconut, key lime, boozy, and anything related to a milkshake, I wholeheartedly approve of this recipe and will make it every chance I get. Thanking you in advance for my anticipated extreme weigh gain. Oh well, winter (and baggy sweat pants) are right around the corner so it’s all good to get a little fluffy 😉 BTW, throughout my whole childhood in South Florida, we had a key lime tree in our backyard. I swear I miss that tree more than anything and what I wouldn’t give to have one in my yard now.
Now, THIS is how key lime pie should be enjoyed!!! I forgive you for holding out 🙂
You’re forgiven for holding out on us, lol, it was worth the wait! These are summer fabulous and will hit the spot on these hot and humid days! Take care.
Ohmigosh. This looks like a creamy boozy dream. Just in time for the weekend!
Did you say coconuts, lime and booze? Count me in! These look awesomely decadent delicious, Cheyanne!
GIRL!!! I absolutely love key lime pie and coconut too. GAAAHHHH!!! I need this. Love your idea of making ahead and keeping in the freezer. Genius my dear. I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on us with this recipe but at least you finally came clean. That’s the important thing. Ha ha. Gotta try this and tomorrow is Friday and I’m so happy it’s weekend!!! Woo hoo.Wishing you and Boy a wonderful one, stay cool if you can. I will too, and this boozy milkshake will help for sure! <3
Coconut key lime pie + milkshake + booze = my happy place! Uh, yes please! Aren’t adult milkshakes just the best! This has my weekend brunch written all over it! And some dessert after dinner too 😉
Cheyanne, I feel a case of the sniffles coming on and I’m thinking these are definitely gonna make me feel “infinitely” better! I mean booze kills germs – right? 🙂 Nope – no hard feeling for not posting these – because – IMO – this is perfect timing and let’s be honest – it’s all about me right?! Just kidding, just kidding!
I seriously adore these no-bake coconut key lime pie boozy shakes! Thanks for holding onto them till the perfect time – hope you have a wonderful weekend, friend! XOXO
Ice cream + irish cream + coconut rum + key lime pie + coconut cream? Oh my my! A boozy milkshake? what else could I ask for. How could you do this to use, glad that you decided to share this. This coconut key lime pie boozy milkshake is pure genius, Cheyanne! Wish you a lovely weekend! 🙂
haha you’re sharing them now and that’s all that matters!! It has been a WEEK getting ready to move (next week!!) and I soooo could use one of these boozy milkshakes to get me through the next few days! So badly! lol I love that you used graham crackers and toasted coconut!
I have never had a boozy milkshake…this looks so GOOD. Awesome clicks too, Cheyanne.
Oh yum!! There’s nothing I like more than a nice boozy milkshake! And this coconut key lime flavor sounds divineee. I love that you added graham crackers too – what a great treat! <3
Oh wow, do these milkshakes sound (and look!) good or what? Absolutely delicious!
You’re definitely the Queen of boozy shakes (I bet which is why your kingdom’s name is Bourbon Country, right?) Ice cream, irish cream, and coconut rum (Sorry, not a fan of vodka or tequila) combined with the flavors of key lime pie and coconut cream? Are you serious? Please stop doing whatever you’re doing and send this to me please (opt for express delivery. Fantastic shakes Chey! And happy (almost) Friday:)
Sometimes we have to wait until it’s just the right time, and it IS the right time to share these delicious, BOOZY, milkshakes (jam packed boozy!)! It’s damn hot out there, so anything to cool us off, right? I hope your vaca was fabulous and you soaked in ALL the sunshine! Thank you for this, Chey!!
How could you keep these from us?!?!? HOW?? I thought we were friends?? Hm. Lol. Okay, since we share bestie bracelets, I guess I can let this one go. Girl, you know I’ve been dreaming about your white chocolate strawberry boozy milkshake… so the fact that you just released this: BIRTHDAY awesome. Just sayin’. Can I also just say, the styling is so awesome, fun and cute! Makes me happy just looking at these milkshakes. 🙂
Ya know, my mom would totally love this too. Coconut, Lime and Pie are all her jam. So… coulda ya send like a dozen of these over? Crank up the conveyor belt! 😉 Muah! Can’t wait to chat this weekend. xoxo Pinned, duh!
Boozy milkshakes are the best thing ever! Loving this key lime/coconut version. I must get on the Thirsty Thursday thing (I’m thirsty 😉
Like, whoa, Cheyanne! I can’t believe you held out on the recipe! But I totally understand your reasoning and now it’s going to taste that much better!
Coconut is one of my favourite flavours EVER! So, I’m all over this milkshake. And key lime? YES! Girl, you have a total winner here and it’s just in time for the weekend! Fist bump back at ya 😉
Pinned, of course!
Have a wonderful weekend! xo
This milkshake loos so heavenly! Glad you finally shared this recipe with the rest of us 🙂 Much needed for these last days of summer!
Boozy shakes are definitely making my Thursday better! And I don’t blame you for holding out on this recipe (I do that all the time, too, since I plan so far ahead) but I’m glad you finally shared it because it looks AMAZING! I love the key lime pie flavors and the graham crackers in here, too. What a perfect drink for the summer! Pinned, of course!
Yay for Thirsty Thursday Cheyanne! I hope you can hear me applauding from here because these boozy milkshakes are da bomb!! Key lime pie and coconut cream pie have to be two of my most favorite summer time desserts and combine them into a boozy milkshake?! You’ve won my heart with this one my friend! LOVE it!
Hey, I can’t be mad at your for holding onto this recipe almost ALL SUMMER LONG when it would have been PERFECT because, you know, it still is. 🙂 Honestly, it’s gorgeous. I’m making one tomorrow night for Friday happy hour! Blending in the graham crackers is so brilliant!
Summer life goals indeed! I do forgive you for not bringing these to us until now because now seems like the perfect time to have one! We’re squeezing out the last bits of summer before school starts and this is just how to go out with a bang! Decadent but with a light fresh flavor – and all the rich vanilla ice cream goodness – gimmme! Love that I can have it on hand in the freezer too 😉 Cheers girlfriend, to a wonderful weekend! XO