These Margarita Cupcakes with Tequila Lime Frosting bring all the fun flavors of a classic margarita into a sweet, boozy treat! Made with a zesty lime cupcake infused with tequila and topped with a creamy, tequila-lime buttercream, these cupcakes are perfect for Cinco de Mayo, summer parties, or any festive occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright & Citrusy – Fresh lime juice and zest add a refreshing tang.
- Boozy & Fun – A hint of tequila in both the cupcake and frosting.
- Soft & Moist – Buttermilk keeps the cupcakes light and tender.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients with a gourmet result.
- Perfect for Celebrations – A fun treat for any party or special event.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Margarita Cupcakes:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs (room temperature)
- Vanilla extract
- Fresh lime zest
- Fresh lime juice
- Tequila (silver or blanco)
- Buttermilk
For the Tequila Lime Frosting:
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh lime juice
- Tequila
- Lime zest
- Salt (a pinch for balance)
Optional Garnishes:
- Lime wedges or zest
- Coarse sugar or sea salt rim
- White chocolate drizzle
Directions
Make the Cupcakes:
- Preheat Oven – Set to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter & Sugar – Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs & Flavorings – Mix in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice.
- Incorporate Tequila & Buttermilk – Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing just until combined.
- Bake – Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool – Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
Make the Tequila Lime Frosting:
- Beat Butter – Whip softened butter until creamy.
- Add Sugar & Flavorings – Gradually mix in powdered sugar, followed by lime juice, tequila, lime zest, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
Assemble the Cupcakes:
- Frost the Cupcakes – Pipe or spread frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
- Garnish – Decorate with lime wedges, zest, or a sugared rim for a margarita effect.
Serve & Enjoy:
- Chill Before Serving – For best flavor, let cupcakes sit in the fridge for 15 minutes before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 cupcakes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Cooling & Assembly Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Variations
- Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes – Add puréed strawberries to the batter and frosting.
- Salted Rim Cupcakes – Dip frosted cupcakes in coarse sugar or salt for a true margarita touch.
- Coconut Margarita Cupcakes – Add shredded coconut to the batter for a tropical twist.
- Spicy Margarita Cupcakes – Mix a pinch of cayenne pepper into the frosting.
- Non-Alcoholic Version – Skip the tequila and replace with more lime juice.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
- Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 3 months. Thaw before frosting.
- Serving Tip: Let refrigerated cupcakes sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before eating.
FAQs
Can I use a different alcohol?
Yes! Triple sec or rum also work well.
How do I make these extra boozy?
Brush baked cupcakes with tequila before frosting.
Can I use store-bought frosting?
Yes, but homemade tequila-lime frosting tastes much better!
What’s the best tequila to use?
Silver or blanco tequila gives a clean, smooth taste.
Can I use lemon instead of lime?
Yes, but lime gives the classic margarita flavor.
How do I keep my cupcakes moist?
Use buttermilk and don’t overbake!
Can I add food coloring?
Yes! A drop of green food coloring makes them more festive.
Can I make mini cupcakes?
Yes! Adjust the baking time to 10-12 minutes.
Do these taste like actual margaritas?
Yes! They have a sweet, tangy, tequila-lime flavor just like a classic margarita.
What pairs well with these cupcakes?
Enjoy with a margarita, lime soda, or fresh fruit.
Conclusion
These Margarita Cupcakes with Tequila Lime Frosting are a fun, boozy dessert bursting with citrusy flavor! Perfect for summer parties, Cinco de Mayo, or any festive occasion, they bring the taste of a margarita in cupcake form. Try them today for a zesty, tequila-infused treat!
Print
Margarita Cupcakes with Tequila Lime Frosting
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired
Description
These Margarita Cupcakes are soft, zesty, and infused with lime and a hint of tequila, just like your favorite margarita! Topped with a creamy tequila lime buttercream frosting and a sprinkle of sea salt, they’re a fun and festive treat.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon lime zest (from about 2 limes)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons tequila
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
For the Tequila Lime Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons tequila
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- Pinch of salt
For Garnish (Optional):
- Lime wedges or zest
- Coarse sea salt or sugar (for rimming)
Instructions
Make the Cupcakes:
-
Preheat & Prep:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
-
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
-
Cream Butter & Sugar:
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
-
Add Eggs & Flavoring:
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in lime zest, lime juice, tequila, and vanilla extract.
-
Combine Wet & Dry:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, mixing until just combined.
-
Bake:
- Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
Make the Tequila Lime Frosting:
-
Beat the Butter:
- In a bowl, beat butter until creamy.
-
Add Powdered Sugar & Tequila:
- Gradually mix in powdered sugar, tequila, lime juice, lime zest, and a pinch of salt, beating until fluffy.
-
Frost the Cupcakes:
- Pipe or spread frosting over cooled cupcakes.
Garnish & Serve:
- For a classic margarita look:
- Lightly sprinkle the edges with coarse salt or sugar.
- Garnish with lime wedges or extra zest.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Want an extra boozy kick? Brush the tops of the warm cupcakes with a little tequila before frosting.
- Make it kid-friendly: Omit tequila and replace it with more lime juice or milk.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temp for 1 day or refrigerate for up to 3 days.