Easy and Fun Mint Julep Cupcake Recipe - April Golightly (2024)

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This is an easy Mint Julep Cupcake Recipe. Instead of making a co*cktail this summer, make drink-inspired cupcakes for your next party as a dessert.

These alcohol-infused cupcakes taste divine when paired with my raw honey cosmo drink.

Mint Julep – A Supreme co*cktail

Happy Mint Julep Day! The mint julep is a mixed co*cktail made with bourbon, water, crushed or shaved ice, and fresh mint. I remember Betty Draper ordering it on Mad Men a few times and I started trying to make the perfect Mint Julep ever since I saw it on the show. It is a pretty tasty way to drink bourbon.

Mint Julep History

Are you ready for some history? The original Mint Julep was said to have been created in the South during the 18th century. It is something that people love to drink during the Kentucky Derby so it is no surprise that it has southern origins.

Mint Julep Cupcakes with Fresh Mint from the Garden

I love making Mint Julep drinks and mint julep cupcakes because I grow mint in my herb garden. It is a way to use the amazing fresh herbs that I already have on hand. I also love the glasses that they are served in. They are specifically called Mint Julep cups.

I kinda want to drink all my co*cktails out if mint julep cups! How great is it that Mint Juleps have their own personal cups?!I am taking my mint juleps to the next level with a cool ice crusher.

I made these mint julep cupcakes to bring this awesome flavor to a dessert for my guests to celebrate the Kentucky Derby and Mint Julep Day!

How To Make Mint Julep Cupcakes

This recipe will make a dozen cupcakes.

Cupcake Ingredients

• European sweet cream butter
• white sugar
• Madagascar vanilla extract
• Mint extract
• Eggs
• All-pourpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Whole milk
• Jim Beam bourbon
• Unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
• Powder sugar
• Vanilla
• Mint
• Heavy whipping cream

Directions

You’ll find the complete detailed instructions for my mint julep cupcakes in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post. Here is an overview of how to make them.

1. Preheat the oven and line cupcake tins with liners.
2. In a small bowl, combine salt, baking powder, and some of the flour.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar, eggs, and extracts in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Slowlybeat in the flour mixture until just combined.
4. Add the milk and bourbon to the batter, and then the remaining flour.
5. Bake the cupcakes.
6. Once cool, pick the cupcakes with a fork and then using a BBQ brush, brush the tops with the Bourbon.
7. Add all ingredients into a standing mixer and mix until stiff peaks form.
8. If to powdery, add in another tablespoon of heavy whipping cream.
9. Once stiff, fill a piping bag with frosting and pipe onto cupcakes.
10. Top with mint leaves.

Kentucky Derby Party Ideas

These cupcakes are perfect for a Kentucky Derby party, especially since this drink was created for the Derby!

Here are some more party ideas if you are going to watch the races with your friends:

• Have a hat contest – see who can wear the most outlandish hat
• Serve Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie – The most southern of recipes is both pecan pie and anything with bourbon. Put them together!
• Lucky Horse Game –Randomly hand out names of horses in the race and see whose wins!
• Set up a selfie photo booth – If everyone dresses up, you’ll want to capture this moment! Add a custom hashtag so everyone can see it.
• Decorate with horse-theme decor – Add horseshoes and race bunting and lots and lots of flowers.
• Play horseshoes – This is a fun game for everyone of all ages.
• Send guests home with Derby-themed goodie bags – Everyone loves a goody bag. Put one together for the kids without any boozy treats.

More Alcohol Infused Cupcakes

These Mint Julep cupcakes have bourbon and fresh mint for a sophisticated and perfectly southern dessert. I love making creative cupcakes! Here are some more of my favorite boozy cupcake ideas:

• Moscato Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting
• White Russian Cupcakes
• Lemon Drop Cupcakes
• Kahlua Cupcakes

Mint Julep Cupcakes Recipe

Here’s my boozy cupcake recipe. These are literally brushed with bourbon. You won’t believe how amazing they taste!

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