When life gives you a free bottle of Lemon Sour, make cupcakes. (Or you know, mix it with whiskey.)
There are many awesome things about working in a building full of food magazines. I could go on and on, but for this blog post, all you need to know is that sometimes we get left over or extra products that aren’t needed. Like this bottle of Lemon Sour. I got it off the “free table”. While most people would think of making actual whiskey sours (which is what it’s made for after all), I was excited to bake something with it too.
And there’s plenty left for the whiskey, so it’s a win-win.
I wasn’t sure how much of the flavor would come through in the cake batter (I probably added a little too much–is that even a thing?) but it’s definitely there. You can taste the whiskey and the lemon, but it’s nothing overpowering. I wanted the cupcakes to have more of a whiskey base, and then focus the lemon flavor on the frosting. Then to top it off, lemon slices and cherries were very necessary!
These cupcakes were a nice way to enjoy the long weekend. I literally did nothing. Except bake things for blog posts. It was really nice to get a head start on things instead of scrambling during the week because I feel like that is my life sometimes!
I think these cupcakes would be so fun for a Super Bowl party! Football games and alcoholic beverages always go together right?
These cupcakes turned out so well, and I’m excited to do some other flavor combinations. I’m not sure when the next one will be, but I’m thinking it’s going to be a honey + whiskey situation. 😉 Maybe there will just be a whole line of boozecakes.
(Does boozecakes by bethcakes sound too ridiculous?)
If you don’t have this Lemon Sour, or don’t want to order it, I would just use lemon juice in its place. I haven’t tried that, but I’m sure it will work just as well.
Whiskey Sour Cupcakes
Ingredients
for the cupcakes
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup whiskey
- 1/4 cup lemon juice I used Lemon Sour
- 2 tsp grated lemon rind
for the frosting
- 3/4 cup 1 1/2 sticks butter, room temperature
- 1 tbsp lemon juice I used Lemon Sour
- 1 tsp lemon extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- Lemon wedges and cherries - optional
Instructions
for the cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
- Combine flour and baking soda in a bowl, stir, and set aside.
- In a medium sized bowl, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until completely incorporated.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix well.
- Add whiskey and flour mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined.
- Add lemon juice and mix until completely incorporated.
- Spoon cupcake batter into the prepared pan, filling paper liners about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Let cupcakes cool in the pan for five minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely. (Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.)
for the frosting
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter on medium high speed until smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute.
- Add lemon juice and lemon extract.
- Then add half of the powdered sugar. Mix on low speed until just combined. Then mix on medium speed until powdered sugar is completely incorporated.
- Repeat with the rest of the powdered sugar. (If the frosting is too thin, add another 1/2 cup powdered sugar and mix well.)
i think boozecakes is a fantastic idea 🙂
Thanks, Bianca! 🙂
I like that you are experimenting with different flavor combinations. These two worked together really well and your made from scratch lemon frosting is the best. 🙂
Thanks! I’m really glad you liked them. More of these flavor combinations in the future!
Beth – these photos are pretty much my favorite. I love the pic with all the lemons. You are so talented!
Aw, thanks Chelsea!! 🙂
Oh my goodness – and the TASTE!!! These were just about the best tasting cupcakes I’ve ever had too and I’m not even a big lemon fan! Delish!
Thanks! I used to think I wasn’t a big fan of lemon either, but I really liked it in these. Glad you liked them!
I love the idea of boozecakes. Yes please! I love these- I’ll def be making for my 21st birthday!
Oh, wonderful! If you make them, let me know how it goes! 🙂
These are so different! I love it! And yes please, continue with a whole line of boozecakes : ) That would be amazing.
oh wow, your whiskey sour cup cakes looks delicious. Great idea 🙂
Thanks, Michael!
Ha – yes, the leftover treats are the best part of working anywhere there’s food production going on! Whiskey sour is my absolute favourite cocktail so I am in loveeee with these cupcakes. Very creative Beth, Pinned!
Thanks so much, Katy! The leftover treats are the best! And thanks for pinning. 🙂
I love this! These would be perfect for any sort of celebration (including baking these cupcakes…)
Thanks, Jessica! I love the idea of celebrating cupcakes with…more cupcakes. haha 🙂
these are adorable. love the idea!
Thanks, Dina!
These cupcakes are beautiful and man I love your way of thinking! When life gives you lemons, definitely make a boozy cupcake!! Oh and boozecakes by bethcakes sounds like a great venture :))) Do it!!
Haha, thanks Zainab! There will be plenty more boozecakes in the future. 🙂
So fun! I saw a cookbook at Urban Outfitters awhile ago…I think it was titled something along the lines of The Boozy Baker. Definitely a fun concept! Look forward to seeing your future boozecake recipes 🙂
I need to look that book up then! haha. Thanks so much, Lily!
I am such a fan of whiskey cocktails! What a fun way to be inspired. I’ll take two with a whiskey sour on the side please 🙂
Oh, that sounds like a wonderful idea! I like you’re thinking. 🙂
Oh man I’m so jealous ! I want a “free” table at work! 😉 I love how you put the lemon sour to good use in these cupcakes though. Beth, these are fabulous! 😀
I absolutely love these cupcakes! Adorable. I do not think adding a little bit more whiskey is a bad thing. 🙂
Oh, me either! 😉 Thanks, Chelsea!
Drool!
Thanks, Matt! 🙂
Wooo weeee!! Me likey!! Seriously though, these are gorgeous and sound heavenly! 🙂
Haha, thanks so much Jocelyn! 🙂
The cupcakes look delicious! 🙂
Oh man, I’ll take half a dozen please! Whiskey sours used to be my go-to drink (still love them). These are beauties!
These are darling! I love the lemon and cherry garnish–totally perfect for game day!
These cupcakes are pretty adorable and a cherry on top? My favorite!
This recipe is fantastic! I have TONs of boozy desserts on my blog, they are some of my favorite to make!
Wow, these cupcakes are beautiful Beth! Haha, I think boozecakes should totally be in your future, love the idea!
Gosh, these cupcakes look perfectly divine. I love the flavour combination also. Perfect…
my husband go super excited when i showed him your cupcakes! great recipe!
This IS brilliant! You can call yourself brilliant all you want! I love whiskey sour Cupcakes! So cute 🙂