Say Cheers with Boozy Moscow Mule Cupcakes

These Moscow Mule Cupcakes taste just like the cocktail! And cocktail cupcakes are delicious!

Spiked with vodka, these cupcakes are easy to make and are perfect for your cocktail-loving sweet tooth.

With lime, ginger beer and vodka, these alcohol-infused cupcakes are a must for your next girl’s night in.

Moscow Mules are one of my favorite things to serve at a party. And now you can toast your special occasion with a Moscow Mule for dessert too.

Why Make These Cupcakes

If you’ve never tried vodka-infused cupcakes, you must give these a try! I don’t think the vodka gives off that much flavor but it seems to do something to the crumb that is just delightful!

The addition of ginger beer keeps these moist and the zesty frosting, made with lime and ginger powder, really brings out the flavor from this classic cocktail.

The flavor combination is refreshing in a cocktail and super flavorful in a cupcake. And because this recipe starts with a boxed cake mix, these are perfect for people who don’t consider themselves bakers. Because cake-mix desserts are awesome!

Serve Moscow Mule Cupcakes, alongside a Classic Moscow Mule, at your next party or girl’s night. They’ll definitely be a hit. 

Not a fan of the mule? Try Fireball Cupcakes, Margarita Cupcakes, Sangria Cupcakes or decadent Southern Comfort Cupcakes!

Ingredient Notes

Starting a dessert recipe with a boxed cake mix is always a time-saver. By just adding a few flavors to it, you can create all kinds of yummy cocktail cupcake flavors.

For the Cupcakes

Vanilla Cake Mix creates the perfect base for this recipe. While some desserts call for yellow cake mix (like in my favorite Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake), it can have too much flavor. If you can use, white cake mix, but in a pinch, yellow would work.

The addition of lime zest and ginger really kick up the flavor and help to bring in those cocktail-inspired flavors and are a must in this recipe.

Buttermilk, ginger beer and vodka do incredible things to make these cupcakes tender and delicious!

If you don’t have buttermilk you can make your own with an easy swap of 2 % milk and white vinegar or lemon juice.

Ultimately, you can leave the vodka out (replace with the same amount of water) but you’re basically taking all the fun out of the recipe… These cupcakes will still have the same citrus and ginger flavors you love though.

For the Frosting

I always start my flavored frostings with my basic vanilla buttercream recipe. So be sure to head over to that post to check out the ingredients you need for that first!

More ginger powder and lime zest jazz up the flavor to reinforce the cocktail flavors.

Adding the vodka to the cake mix, where it cooks and mellows a bit, keeps these cupcakes from tasting like a shot. But if you want to kick up the booze factor a little, you can add a little vodka to the buttercream too.

How to Make Moscow Mule Cupcakes From a Cake Mix

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and set it aside.

In a bowl combine boxed mix with egg, lime zest, ground ginger and butter.

With the help of a mixer combine all the ingredients until crumbly, it should resemble wet sand.

Mix in vodka. Slowly incorporate ginger beer and buttermilk mixing well until there are no lumps left.

Divide the batter between the cupcake liners and take to the oven. Bake for 15 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack.

While the cupcakes are cooling prepare the frosting. Mix the vanilla buttercream with ginger powder and lime zest.

Frost the cupcakes and decorate them with lime wedges, mint, and lime zest. That’s what gives these cupcakes their distinct Moscow Mule flavor and makes them look cute too.

Tips and Tricks

• Using silicone cupcake liners means these cupcakes are easy to remove and can the liners can be reused.
• To make these look even more like a cocktail you can stick a straw out of the frosting! Cut them to size with scissors. It makes a fun garnish.
• Make sure the butter is at room temperature before making the buttercream. You’ll get the best results that way!
• The focus of this recipe should be the ginger since that’s really what makes this resemble a Moscow Mule! It may make your frosting an off-white color. It’s not coming through in the photos but just know, it won’t be a stark white!

Frequently Asked Questions

These spiked Moscow Mule Cupcakes are great for summer! The citrus flavor makes them almost as refreshing as the cocktail.

Just picture these at a pool party! If that doesn’t make you excited for warmer weather I don’t know what will!

Related Recipes

• Margarita Cupcakes – Vanilla cupcakes infused with the flavors of your favorite tequila lime margarita.
• Red Wine Chocolate Cupcakes – Chocolate and red wine are a delicious pairing, and these cupcakes are the perfect dessert for a girls night.
• White Russian Cupcakes – A sweet, Bailey’s infused buttercream tops a coffee flavored cupcake with all the classic flavors of a White Russian.

These Moscow Mule Cupcakes are a sweet twist on the classic cocktail recipe. If you’ve never tried vodka-infused cupcakes before print or pin this recipe for later!