Mojito Cupcakes
58 comments » 
Remember yesterday when we were talking about hamburger buns, and I mentioned that I’m very much a “meat and potatoes” kind of girl? Well, along those same lines, I’m typically a beer girl, not a mixed drink kind of girl. I’ve always enjoyed a good beer and usually find most mixed drinks to be either way too sugary, or way, way too heavy on the alcohol, so much so that it ruins them. As a result, I don’t venture far outside of my comfort zone (see: living in a bubble and my affinity to Ron Swanson) when it comes to ordering drinks and will more often than not just order a beer. My Chief Culinary Consultant is also very much a beer person (although we both enjoy wine with a nice dinner), but he has mentioned numerous times over the last few years about how he always enjoyed mojitos. I’d never had one myself, and made a mental note to try one in the future. It took until our vacation in Florida a few months ago for me to finally get my first mojito! We went out to dinner on my birthday and I decided that it was the perfect time to try a new drink, especially since we were in Southern Florida. It was complete shock and awe for me. Quite possibly the most delicious drink I’ve ever had – so light, bursting with flavor and refreshing. I could have easily had multiple drinks, but lucky for me (and those with me), I capped it at one 
The combination of lime, mint, rum and sparkling water was amazing, and almost as quickly as I drank it, I knew I wanted to make a cupcake version of the drink.
My birthday mojito:
Mojitos are similar to margaritas in that they both use lime to impart citrus flavor, but a mojito adds fresh mint and uses a white or clear rum instead of tequila. The flavor profiles are similar enough that I was easily able to adapt my favorite Margarita Cupcake recipe into a Mojito Cupcake with a tremendous amount of success.
One of the best parts of growing a little herb garden out on the deck? Being able to pop outside, cut off a few sprigs of mint (or basil or parsley), and not have to pay $4.99 at the grocery store for the same amount. It’s so liberating!
One of the key steps to making a mojito is the “muddling” or bruising of the mint leaves. This is basically rubbing the leaves together or using the back of a spoon to smash the leaves together so that they look darkened and bruised. This helps to release the oils of the mint, which strengthens the flavor. That’s especially important in these cupcakes since we’re relying on an infusion of flavor. Your kitchen is going to smell fantastic!
A couple of quick notes on the recipe and ingredients:
- Make sure to use sweet mint or spearmint in this recipe; you don’t want to use peppermint.
- An authentic mojito uses white or clear rum. For these cupcakes, I picked up a bottle of Don Q Crystal white rum after reading through some recommendations on Chowhound.
- The quantities for the frosting are based on my preference to pile frosting nice and high on top of cupcakes (as seen in the photos).
These cupcakes are light and moist, infused with a fantastic combination of lime and mint, with a subtle undertone of rum throughout the cupcake and frosting. The flavors reflect the best part of the drink – bright and fresh, and bursting with flavor. They’re not too heavy or overpowering, which makes them perfect for any summer picnic or party. Recreating favorite drinks into baked goods is always a fun challenge; I’ve already got a few more ideas up my sleeve!
What’s your favorite mixed drink?
One year ago: Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie Bars
Two years ago: Blueberry Boy Bait
Three years ago: Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies
Four years ago: New York-Style Crumb Cake
Mojito Cupcakes
Yield: 12 cupcakes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup mint leaves, bruised
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
Zest and juice of 1½ limes
2 tablespoons white rum
¼ teaspoon vanilla extractTo Brush the Cupcakes:
2 tablespoons white rum
2 sprigs fresh mintFor the Frosting:
1½ cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
4¼ cups powdered sugar
1½ tablespoons lime juice
3 tablespoons white rumDirections:
1. Combine the buttermilk and the ½ cup mint leaves in a small saucepan over medium heat. Warm until just starting to steam (do not simmer), then remove from the heat and cover. Let steep for 15 to 30 minutes. Once finished, strain the milk into a bowl using a fine mesh sieve. The milk may appear curdled or clumpy, but don't worry, it will come back together. Press on any milk solids and mint leaves to extract all the liquid possible. Give the milk a quick stir to smooth it out and set aside.
2. While the mint is steeping in the milk, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners; set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
4. In an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter and sugar together until pale, light, and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
5. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and add the eggs one at at time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
6. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the lime zest, lime juice, vanilla extract and rum. Mix until combined. (The mixture may start to look curdled at this point, but don’t worry, it will all come back together, power on!)
7. Reduce the mixer speed low. Add the dry ingredients in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk in two batches. Mix only until just incorporated, using a rubber spatula to give it one last mix by hand.
8. Divide the batter between the muffin cups. Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until just slightly golden and a skewer shows only moist crumbs attached, rotating the pan at the halfway point.
9. While the cupcakes are baking, combine the rum and mint sprigs in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat until the rum is heated through (do not let it simmer). Remove the pan from the heat, cover, and let steep until ready to use.
10. Allow cupcakes to cool for 5 to 10 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack. Brush the tops of the cupcakes with the mint-infused rum. Set the cupcakes aside to cool completely before frosting them.
11. To make the frosting, whip the butter on medium-high speed of an electric mixer using the whisk attachment for 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing and scraping the sides of the bowl until all is incorporated. Give it a mix on medium speed for about 30 seconds. Add the lime juice and rum and mix on medium-high speed until incorporated and fluffy. If the frosting appears a bit too soft, add some additional sugar, one spoonful at a time until desired consistency is reached. Frost cupcakes and garnish, if desired, with a lime wedge and sprig of fresh mint.
(Recipe adapted from my Margarita Cupcakes recipe)
print
save
email
What a cool idea…i have a friend (big Mojito fan) who would go crazy for these.
Reply
What a lovely idea! Boozy adult cupcakes, sound delicious and refreshing for a summer pudding. I may just have to give these a go!
Reply
Mojitos are my absolute favourite drink! I spent a month in SE Asia and had one almost every day. Iv noticed heaps of margarita baked goods popping out and have been hoping for a mojito one! Hooray
Totally trying these next weekend
Reply
Love me some boozy cupcakes!
Reply
That’s very original, surely i’ll try them.
Reply
How pretty!!
Reply
I’m no longer a drinker, so I must get mojito flavor through other channels. I’m perfectly fine with the fact that channel is cupcakes!
Reply
These look amazing! Im so nosy to see what they taste like,going straight onto my to-do list
Reply
I love mojitos! What a great way to incorporate them into a cupcake!!! Yum!!!
Reply
I do like mojitos on occasion, and I’ve always wanted to try cupcakes that highlight some of the mixed drinks I like to have sometimes. These look like a good thing to test out this weekend!
Reply
These are so cute! Love this idea!
Reply
These sound so refreshing! I, too, was surprised by how much I liked mojitos. Anxious to try! Pinned.
Reply
What a fantastic idea! Very creative, and they look delicious. Great for summer, thanks for sharing!
Reply
This is my dream cupcake. Mojitos are my favorite drink, so I’ll be trying these soon.
Reply
Uh….YUM
Reply
Hands down best cupcake recipe I’ve seen. Can’t wait to try them!
Reply
It’s so awesome that your turned a mojito into a cupcake. You’re a genius!
Reply
I bet my favorite drink makes a fabulous cupcake!
Reply
Mojitos are our go-to summer drink, so this cupcake version will definitely be happening!
Reply
A lovely blog, thank you!
Reply
I love Mojito’s they are my go to summer drink! I have been trying to decide what kind of cupcakes to make for my birthday this weekend, and I think I just found the winner!! THANKS!!
Reply
Michelle on June 7th, 2012 at 11:11 am
Happy early birthday, Jen! Enjoy!
Reply
I tried a mojito a while back and I love it. I love anything mint!
I use to say midori sours or even pineapple and rum were my favorites, but after trying the mojito, IT became my favorite!
Happy birthday!
Reply
ThankYou!ThankYou!ThankYou!! Mojitos are my ABSOLUTE favorite drink!! I spent last summer obsessing over making the “perfect mojito”… which included making my own mint infused simple syrup (with a little brown sugar for smoothness), some presecco & spumante (yum!) and LOTS of yummy errors… But I know these babies will come out perfect on the first try because you are an evil genius!! (I can foresee this summer being filled with batch after batch of these little cupcakes from heaven). Thank You!!!
Reply
I’m not a big fan of mint, but these look so good, I might have to give them a try.
Reply
Hi Michelle,
Once again, seems like you are always reading my mind. I am actually planning a whole rum/mint infused menu this weekend. Grilled pineapple salsa with cilantro and mint, rum glazed pork tenderloin and, of course, MOJITOS! Your cupcakes seem like the perfect ending, thank you for sharing these today!
Just a sidenote on Mojitos, I recently tried cutting up small pieces of fresh lime and muddling it in with the mint and I was hooked! I will never go back to the old way of making them by just using the lime juice. The oils from the actual lime mixed in with the mint made this drink tastes even more fresh and invigorating, if that’s even possible! Sometimes, I switch it up and use Bacardi Coconut instead of plain rum and that is also a treat. I just love coconut and lime together
Have a great weekend!
Kristin
Reply
I tried your Irish Car Bomb cupcakes on St. Patrick’s day and they were awesome! I cannot wait to try these cupcakes!!
Reply
Ok, I’m not a beer girl, there is something in the beer that I don’t like, so I prefer drinks like this, with Vodka or a local one liquor named Pisco.
The cupcakes looks great, I always like cakes with a touch of liquor.
Reply
These cupcakes look like the perfect “adult” dessert for this summer, I love anything with mint, so I am sure these would be a winner!
Reply
Perfect! I’m not a beer drinker. In fact, the only things I do drink are spirits, I dislike everything else! This looks like it was made for us fussy peeps like me. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Oh, this reminds me of how much I miss mojitos right now! These cupcakes sound fabulous!
Reply
Being a non-drinker, is there something I could substitute for the white rum because these sound amazing.
Reply
Marla on June 7th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
You might try rum extract… might have to mess around with your other liquids though.
Reply
Michelle on June 8th, 2012 at 10:30 am
Hi Darcie, You can just omit it in the cupcakes, and substitute heavy cream in the frosting. You can steep the mint in a simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar) for brushing on the top. Enjoy!
Reply
One of the first cocktails I ever tried was a mojito, and I’ve loved it ever since! These cupcakes look incredible!
Reply
oh my oh my this recipe could be dangerous to have!! haha they look incredible! thanks for sharing!
Reply
My mint is growing out of control so I was thinking of mojitos. So making these!!
Reply
I have been ALL about mojitos lately. These will be my new favorite cupcake. I know it!
Reply
Mojitos are my fave!!! This recipe looks beyond delish and I will be trying it this weekend!
Reply
What a brilliant idea for a vocals flavor… Especially for summertime!
Reply
Not much of a cocktail fan myself. I’m more of a glass of wine with dinner type…
Reply
Favorite refreshing drink turned into my favorite meal of the day, dessert… definitely a must-try recipe!!!
Reply
I’m definitely going to try this out in Summer! A Few cocktails which I thing will translate wonderfully into a cupcake is: Strawberry Daiquiri, Long Island Ice Tea, Pina Colada and then what I’ve also seen everywhere, Margarita. All on my summer to do list. Mmmmm…
Reply
I tried your guiness/baileys cupcakes ages ago (i swear they’re how i won my now boyfriend) and finally made it to the margarita ones last weekend (they can definitely mend a friends broken heart) – these are absolutely my next bake!!! I cannot wait.
Reply
WOW! this cupcake was amazing, thank you so much everyone loved them!
Reply
I made these for a 4th of July BBQ and they were such a hit! I only wish I would have made a double batch so that my husband and I could have had some leftovers.
Reply
Well, I have made your margarita cupcakes many times (I’ve even been PAID to make them for other people!) and considering that mojitos are my all time favorite drink – I think I definitely need to make these asap!
Reply
Just made these, can’t wait to taste them, recipe sounds delish. I made creamcheese frosting instead of butter frosting though, just cause I like it better.
Reply
I’ve made your margarita cupcakes (absolutely delicious!) a few times in the last several weeks & wanted to adapt that recipe since mojitos are my favorite summer drink. I decided to look for ideas of how to add the mint part & this recipe came up first. I can’t wait to try it!
Reply
Can you substitute spiced rum for the white rum?
Reply
Michelle on November 17th, 2012 at 11:54 am
Hi Kayla, Yes you can use spiced rum; I used white since that is what is traditionally used in mojitos.
Reply
Can you make this into a cake?
Reply
Michelle on January 9th, 2013 at 11:12 am
Hi Kam, I think you should be able to, but you will need to double the recipe for a two-layer 8-inch or 9-inch cake.
Reply
It’s buttermilk or milk? You have mentioned buttermilk but later on call it milk. That’s the short form for buttermilk right. Sorry, just wanted to clarify because I know of steeping in milk but never heard of steeping in buttermilk.
Reply
Michelle on March 1st, 2013 at 11:39 am
It’s buttermilk.
Reply
Hi, i made this and everyone loved them! I Will make them again SOON!!
Reply
Michelle,
This recipe sounds amazing! Thank you so much for sharing it!
I have a super huge favor to ask. I am desparate to make these for my girlfriend, but with a few alterations. I would like to make them chocolate cupcakes. I am trying to figure out the best way to do that. She made us your Carbomb cupcakes and they were phenomenal. So I tried looking at that recipe to adapt the chocolate portion, but I’m not sure if I need to compensate for the extra cocoa-powder. It will actually be a chocolate mojito, because I have been infusing some organic vodka with organic “chocolate mint” leaves. The vodka tastes amazing and I’m saving the leaves to use in the steeping process somewhere. Can you please help a beginner baker make his girlfriend the most amazing cupcakes for her birthday? <3
Reply
Michelle on May 15th, 2013 at 9:36 pm
Hi Karl, I would recommend using this cupcake as a base, then adding the mint leaves, rum and lime zest as directed above: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/06/10/dark-chocolate-cupcakes-with-peanut-butter-frosting/. Good luck!
Reply