To start off, I have to admit that this recipe has a few steps and an array of ingredients - although most you will likely already have in your pantry (or liquor cabinet). Because of this, I wouldn't necessarily bust these out to eat by myself on a Tuesday night. Rather they are great for a party, BBQ, girls night... you get the idea. I promise you though if you take your time with each step you will end up with a delicious, gourmet cupcake that will blow people away. This is a cupcake worthy of a $4.50 price tag.
You will see that I use gin in all of the cupcake elements - the actual cupcake, the glaze and frosting. When I first created this recipe I was nervous that it would taste really alcoholic and be more like a jello-shot dessert than a refined cupcake. Thankfully it did not turn out that way! Instead, this cupcake is moist, zesty and totally satisfying. Just make sure to use real limes and not that junk out of a squeeze bottle, it will make a world of difference. Would love to hear your stories of how these went down at your party or event - be sure to share in the comments!
***UPDATE*** If you are looking for another awesome cocktail cupcake, check out my new recipe for Piña Colada Cupcakes. Yum!
Gin & Tonic Cupcakes
Ingredients
- CUPCAKES
- 2/3 c. butter, softened
- 3/4 c. caster sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tbl gin
- 2 tbl tonic
- 150g flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 tbl milk
- zest of one lime
- ----
- G&T SYRUP
- 1/3 c. sugar
- 1/4 c. tonic
- 2 tbl gin
- 1 tbl fresh lime juice
- ---
- FROSTING
- 1 c. butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- zest of 1 lime
- 2 tbl gin
- 2 tbl tonic
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 4 c. powdered sugar
- ---
- DECORATION
- Lime slices and zest for decoration
Directions
- Step 1 Preheat oven to 350F and line cupcake tin with 12 wrappers
- Step 2 CUPCAKE BATTER
- Step 3 With a hand or stand mixer, cream your softened butter and sugar. Mix in your eggs and vanilla (do not over beat).
- Step 4 Fold in your gin, tonic and lime zest.
- Step 5 In a separate bowl, combine your flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Blend into your wet mixture until combined. Your batter will be a bit thick - this is okay.
- Step 6 On low speed, mix in your milk. This will thin out your batter and make for a good consistency.
- Step 7 Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds of the way up, there should be enough batter for 12 cupcakes.
- Step 8 Bake at 350F for 18-20 minutes, or until the top of the cupcakes spring back to the touch.
- Step 9 G&T SYRUP
- Step 10 As soon as your cupcakes come out of the oven get started on your syrup - you want to glaze the cupcakes while they are still warm.
- Step 11 Combine 1/3 c. sugar, 1/4 c. tonic, 2 tbl gin and tbl lime juice in a pan on medium heat and bring to a soft boil. STIR CONSTANTLY until the syrup starts to thicken - this should take 4 or 5 minutes. Your glaze is ready when it sticks to the back of a spoon. Take off the heat and set aside.
- Step 12 Using a toothpick, poke several holes in the top of your warm cupcakes. Then, using a pastry brush, brush your G&T syrup over each cupcake - I had enough syrup for two layers. Set cupcakes aside to cool.
- Step 13 FROSTING
- Step 14 In a large bowl, cream your butter, cream cheese, lime zest and vanilla together with a mixer. Once blended, fold in your gin and tonic.
- Step 15 Slowly, add your powdered sugar to your mix until well combined, 4-5 minutes.
- Step 16 Frost your cooled cupcakes and top with a slice of lime and some fresh lime zest.
- Step 17 Enjoy!
