You're going to love these Margarita Cupcakes! Because sometimes you can't drink tequila, but you can certainly eat it.
This easy recipe uses a simple vanilla cupcake recipe and infuses it with lime flavor. Spiked with tequila, the cupcakes are fluffy and moist.
Alcohol infused cupcakes are a fun dessert idea for parties and these boozy cupcakes have the flavor of a margarita.
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Margarita Cupcakes are boozy and delicious
We just got back from a family vacation to Mexico and I had my fill of margaritas. I mean, I was responsible and all, but there's nothing I love more than sipping margaritas on a beach in Mexico.
While I love the flavor of tequila, I absolutely ADORE the flavor of lime. So it's really surprising that it's taken me this long to make Margarita Cupcakes.
I think cupcakes are the perfect ratio of cake to icing and since I love to sip easy cocktails, this recipe was a must-make!
Are cupcakes with tequila safe for kids
Maybe?? While I always thought that alcohol burns off in the cooking process, leaving only the delicious flavor, this might not actually be true.
There have been several studies done that prove that there is still a fair amount of alcohol leftover after the cooking process.
The science really depends on how long something is cooked, the type of pan, and several other factors. So to be safe, I would say keep these away from children.
And since the frosting is not cooked at all, I would highly recommend not giving your kid the spatula to lick.
In my opinion, if they got ahold of one, it wouldn't be the end of the world, but because I can't definitively answer that for you, I would keep them some without tequila.
How to make Margarita Cupcakes
Making Margarita Cupcakes from scratch is actually really easy. I often think I am too lazy to bake from scratch but the flavor is really worth it.
Scroll to the end of the post for a printable recipe card with measurements and instructions.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes
- flour
- baking powder
- salt
- butter
- sugar
- eggs
- 2 limes
- tequila
- buttermilk
For the frosting
- butter
- powdered sugar
- lime juice
- tequila
- lime zest
- limes
How to Get More Lime Flavor
The trouble with getting a vibrant lime flavor is that if you add too much fresh lime juice, it can make the batter or frosting too thin.
This is why you need to use lime zest. It's a great way to get in more of that fresh lime flavor without the consistency becoming a problem.
Another way you can do this is with lime oil or extract. Just make sure it's food safe. You can't just use any essential oils in baking.
But if your find one that is food safe, it will help add in tons of lime flavor without too much liquid.
What Kind of Tequila Should I Use?
Tequila is very versatile and can be used not only for baking but for cooking too. It's great for marinades and for flavoring sauces. While you might be inclined to reach for a really inexpensive tequila, I would suggest otherwise.
Grab something that you wouldn't gag on if you sipped it. If you're looking for tequila flavor to shine through these cupcakes, you want it to be the actual delicious flavor of the tequila, not the burn.
I prefer sipping on a clear tequila like Casamigos Blanco, but I wouldn't hesitate to use a Resposado (which is aged and a slightly oaky flavor) in this cupcake recipe.
You'll be able to taste the tequila even more in the frosting!
Directions
For the cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Line a muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.
- Add butter and sugar in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment and beat for 2 minutes.
- Add in eggs, one at a time, until mixed.
- Add tequila, lime juice and zest.
- In a bowl whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add one cup of the flour mixture at a time to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer.
- Add a small amount of buttermilk in between each cup of the flour mixture.
- Spoon the batter into each cupcake liner, filling halfway.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool for an hour or so before icing.
The tequila and lime may make the batter look like curdled milk but it's actually fine and will smooth out.
For the frosting
- Place room temp butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
- Add powdered sugar one cup at a time mixing on low until all sugar is added.
- Turn the mixer to medium and add tequila, lime juice, and lime zest.
- Mix well until frosting is stiff.
If the frosting is not stiff enough or too thin, just add a little bit more powdered sugar. If the frosting is too thick, add more lime juice or a little milk.
I'm not an expert at cupcake decorating so typically I would just use an offset spatula to swipe some on the top.
If you want them to look nice and finished like in these images, just fill a piping bag with star tip attachment and pipe the frosting onto the Margarita Cupcakes.
I've also used a sandwich bag, with the corner cut off, to pipe cupcakes and it works pretty great!
Place a slice of lime on top of each cupcake. And it looks super festive.
If you're a margarita fan, you'll love these cocktail-inspired cupcakes. With fluffy cake and a tequila-infused frosting, these will remind you of that beach vacation with every bite.
You may not have added tequila to cupcakes before but you'll really love how they turn out. These make a fun edible gift idea for any adult celebrating a birthday and, of course, for any Mexican fiesta your host.
More Margarita Recipes to Try
- Blended Cucumber Margaritas: Cucumber Margaritas are refreshing and delicious and it's easy to make several at one time!
- Strawberry Basil Margaritas: Make a fruity Strawberry Basil Margarita for your next happy hour.
- Best Frozen Margarita: This recipe for the best Frozen Margarita is quick and easy and only needs a few ingredients. It's frosty and refreshing!
More Boozy Desserts to Make
- Sherry Wine Cake: This Wine Cake is one of my most popular recipes. It's full of flavor that you're going to love.
- Easy Rum Cake: This Rum Cake recipe has yummy cinnamon flavor and works well for a brunch cake or something to serve after dinner.
- Bailey's Chocolate Truffles: These Chocolate Truffles, from Live Love Texas, sound decadent and rich!
Printable recipe for Margarita Cupcakes
Margarita Cupcakes
Ingredients
FOR THE CUPCAKES
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 limes; zested and juiced
- 4 tablespoons tequila
- 1 cup buttermilk
FOR THE FROSTING
- 2 cups unsalted butter at room temperature
- 4 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 3 tablespoons tequila
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 2 limes; sliced
Instructions
For Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line a standard muffin tin with paper liners.
- Add butter and sugar to stand mixer with a paddle attachment and beat for 2 minutes until fluffy (medium speed).
- Add one egg at a time until mixed.
- Add in tequila and lime juice and zest (this may look like curdled milk it's fine and will smooth out).
- In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add one cup at a time of the flour mixture to the mixing bowl of wet ingredients.
- Add a little buttermilk in between each cup of the flour mixture.
- Spoon the batter into each cupcake liner filling half way.
- Bake for 25 about minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool for an hour or so before icing.
For Frosting:
- Place room temperature butter into the mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment.
- To the mixing bowl, add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, on low speed until all sugar is added.
- Turn the mixer up to medium speed and add in tequila, lime juice, and lime zest.
- Mix well until the frosting is stiff (if too thin, add more powdered sugar - if too thick, add more lime juice)
- Put frosting in an icing bag with piping tip or sandwich bag with the corner cut to pipe the cupcakes or use an offset spatula.
- Place a slice of lime on top to garnish.
Nutrition
Pin to save these boozy cupcakes for later
You'll LOVE these easy Margarita Cupcakes! You may have to adjust the tequila and lime to get the flavor to your preferences but once you do, you'll want to make these for all your parties!
Jenna says
If I were to use a box cake mix and frosting. What would recommend?
For tequila margarita cupcakes
Sharon Garofalow says
For the cupcakes, I would use a white cake mix and follow the directions on the back of the box. But I would replace some of the water (which is probably around 1 1/4 cups total) with tequila and lime juice and some water. The recipe calls for the juice and zest from 2 limes so I would keep that. I would use about 1/4 - 1/2 cups of tequila and the rest water. I haven't made them this way so I'm not sure exactly how much tequila flavor will come through. But in most of my other boozy cupcakes I use 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup of alcohol. I wouldn't recommend trying to add flavoring to store-bought frosting. I haven't worked with those so I'm not sure it would turn out. Good luck! If you make them, let me know how they turn out!