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Margarita Cupcakes with Tequila Lime Frosting

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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

this recipe

Make the Cupcakes:

  1. Preheat Oven – Set to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cream Butter & Sugar – Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add Eggs & Flavorings – Mix in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice.
  5. Incorporate Tequila & Buttermilk – Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing just until combined.
  6. Bake – Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool – Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.

Make the Tequila Lime Frosting:

  1. Beat Butter – Whip softened butter until creamy.
  2. 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:

  1. Frost the Cupcakes – Pipe or spread frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
  2. Garnish – Decorate with lime wedges, zest, or a sugared rim for a margarita effect.

Serve & Enjoy:

  1. 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!

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Margarita Cupcakes with Tequila Lime Frosting

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  • Author: clara
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired
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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

Scale

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:

  1. Preheat & Prep:

    • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
    • Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.

  2. Mix Dry Ingredients:

    • In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

  3. Cream Butter & Sugar:

    • In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).

  4. Add Eggs & Flavoring:

    • Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in lime zest, lime juice, tequila, and vanilla extract.

  5. Combine Wet & Dry:

    • Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, mixing until just combined.

  6. 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:

  1. Beat the Butter:

    • In a bowl, beat butter until creamy.

  2. Add Powdered Sugar & Tequila:

    • Gradually mix in powdered sugar, tequila, lime juice, lime zest, and a pinch of salt, beating until fluffy.

  3. Frost the Cupcakes:

    • Pipe or spread frosting over cooled cupcakes.

Garnish & Serve:

  1. For a classic margarita look:
  • Lightly sprinkle the edges with coarse salt or sugar.
  • Garnish with lime wedges or extra zest.
  1. 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.

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