Tequila Sunrise Cupcakes

Whip up a batch of these Tequila Sunrise Cupcakes and celebrate happy hour with something a little sweeter.

Tequila Sunrise Cocktails always remind me of my mother. Growing up my mom was not much of a drinker but on occasion she would order a Tequila Sunrise when we went out to dinner.

In fact, I served up Tequila Sunrise Cocktails at a “Cars” DisneySide Brunch I threw for my boys several years ago. The sweet combination of orange juice, grenadine and tequila was my inspiration today for these Tequila Sunrise Cupcakes.

Tequila Sunrise Cupcakes

To make the Tequila Sunrise Cupcakes I gathered my ingredients. Note below there are two sets on instructions – one for the cupcakes and one for the frosting.

Tequila Sunrise Cupcakes

Recipe Type: Dessert

Author: Linda Arceo

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 40 mins

Serves: 12

A delicious boozy cupcake

Ingredients

FOR THE CUPCAKES
6 tbsp unsalted butter at room temperature
¾ cup sugar
6 tbsp sour cream
½ tsp vanilla
½ tsp finely grated orange zest
3 egg whites
1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
2 tbsp tequila
2 tbsp milk
FOR THE FROSTING
¾ cup salted butter
½ cup shortening
5 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tbsp tequila
1 tsp orange zest
2 tsp fresh orange juice
5 tsp grenadine
Orange icing color; optional
12 cherries; optional
12 orange slices; optional

Instructions

FOR THE CUPCAKES
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a cupcake pan with liners
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes
Next, add sour cream, vanilla, and orange zest and mix until combined. Add egg whites in two batches, mixing each until combined. Be sure to scrap down the bowl.
Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then combine the orange juice, tequila, and milk in a measuring cup. Continue by adding half of the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Add the orange juice mixture and mix until combined. Finally, add the remaining half of the dry ingredients and mix until well combined
Fill the cupcake liners about halfway and bake for about 15 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean
FOR THE FROSTING
Beat the butter and shortening together until soft and fluffy. Half of the powdered sugar should be added and mix until combined. Add the tequila, and then add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until fluffy
Divide the frosting in half, add the grenadine to one half and mix until fully combined
Add the orange juice and orange color to the remaining frosting and mix until combined
Place the frosting mixture into to their own piping bag or ziplock and cut a hole in one corner
Together, add those piping bags into a bigger one and fit with a big star tip. Pipe a swirl of frosting on each cupcake and top with cherries and oranges.
Keep in the fridge in an air tight container for up to three days

I just love how my boozy Tequila Sunrise Cupcakes turned out.

They are perfect for a Summer BBQ or even a fun girls night/couples night. Just make sure to keep them away from the kiddos as these are an “adults only” dessert.