Boozy St. Germain Cupcakes

These cupcakes are a little buzzed!

It’s easy to make boozy St. Germain Cupcakes especially when you start with a boxed cake mix.

The tender vanilla cupcake has a tasty elderflower flavor that pairs perfectly with a zesty lemon buttercream frosting.

Infused with elderflower liqueur, these moist cupcakes are one of my favorite fun alcohol infused cupcakes to serve for a girl’s night in or bridal shower!

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St. Germain Cupcakes are delicious

These St. Germain Cupcakes are delicate, fresh, bright and oh so easy to make.

The subtle vanilla elderflower cupcake is topped with a velvety and super creamy lemon frosting.

If you are looking to celebrate something, this French-inspired cupcake is the treat you need to make and it couldn’t be easier since it uses a boxed cake mix!

What is St. Germain

If you have never heard of it before, St. Germain is a French liqueur.

It’s made with handpicked elderflower blossoms, which taste slightly floral with minor citrus notes and is on the sweet side.

I often use it in a simple champagne cocktail (1 part St. Germain to 3-4 parts bubbly) but it’s a fun way to add a little flavor to baked goods too!

I thought the flavor would be interesting in a cupcake so I decided I need to give it a try.

St. Germain is one of those liquors that I first purchased because the bottle was pretty and it was kind of trendy.

However, it’s not just pretty, it’s actually quite delicious!

What can you use instead of St. Germain

St. Germain (or another brand of elderflower liqueur really does have a unique flavor.

If you can’t find it, you might be able to find an elderflower syrup. Ikea used to sell a drink concentrate that I used in champagne cocktails instead.

Or try something else that has floral notes like rose, orange blossom water or a violet liqueur.

And if you don’t want to buy a full bottle of the liqueur to make these Elderflower Cupcakes, you can always purchase one of the airplane sized bottles from your local big wine shop!

What’s the best boxed cake mix to use for these

I prefer to use a classic vanilla cake mix to make these Lemon Elderflower Cupcakes but they are also delicious when using lemon cake mix.

Yellow cake mix is also a great option that has a more distinct “cake batter” flavor so that works great as well but may not let the elderflower flavor shine through.

How to make moist cupcakes

I’m going to share a little secret with you. The most moist and fluffy cupcakes are usually the ones made with equal parts butter and oil.

Creamed butter has a lot of air incorporated. Oil, on the other hand, provides a lot of moisture.

When combined, oil and butter, create a moist, fluffy and delicate cupcake that’s to die for.

And when you are using a flower-y French liqueur that makes people feel a little fancy, a delicate cupcakes is what you want!

How to make Lemon Elderflower Cupcakes

Because of the subtle citrus notes in the elderflower liqueur, lemon is a great complimentary flavor to pair with it.

You’re going to love this Elderflower Cupcakes Recipe!

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for measurements and detailed directions.

Ingredients for cupcakes

• Boxed cake mix (I prefer white cake mix)
• Butter
• Oil
• Eggs
• St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a bit acidic to it is what really helps to make the cupcake tender.

Ingredients for Lemon Buttercream

• Butter
• Vegetable shortening
• Confectioners sugar (also known as powdered sugar)
• Heavy cream
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• Lemon zest
• Lemon Juice

I always start with my favorite vanilla buttercream recipe and add flavors as needed.

It’s a quick and easy recipe that is always delicious!

Instructions

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

In a small bowl combine St. Germain and buttermilk and set aside.

In a bowl beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add oil and beat until incorporated. Slowly beat in the eggs, adding them one at a time. 

Alternately mix in cake mix and St. Germain in 3 batches, beginning and ending with cake mix.

Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners and put in the oven.

Turn down the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 15 minutes or until done. 

Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.

Meanwhile, whip up the frosting.

Use a mixer on medium speed to incorporate lemon zest and lemon juice to the very best vanilla frosting. 

Decorate the cooled St. Germain Cupcakes with the lemon frosting and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs.

I LOVE using fresh herbs to garnish my cupcakes! And thyme pairs really well with both the lemon and elderflower flavors.

SO tasty! Of course, you can serve these Elderflower Cupcakes for any occasion, but they are super great for any type of girly party.

From a girl’s night in or a bridal shower, these feel feminine and fun.

But they are boozy! A spiked cupcake is fun to share with friends.

These cupcakes with lemon and elderflower would be a fun surprise to drop off at a friends house, just because.

Are you an elderflower fan? Leave me a comment and let me know how you use it!

Supplies to make this recipe

More boozy cupcakes to try:

• Prosecco Cupcakes are a fun spiked cupcake to make for a celebration.
• I LOVE to drink Moscow Mules and love to eat Moscow Mule Cupcakes even more!
• Get a shot of cinnamon whiskey in a cupcake with these Fireball Cupcakes!
• How yummy do these Lemon Cupcakes with Limoncello Buttercream, by Dangerous Cupcake Lifestyle sound?!

Printable recipe

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You’re going to love these delicious St. Germain Cupcakes with Lemon Buttercream!

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