I fell in love with Cosmopolitans at the height of the popularity of the show, Sex and the City. At that time in my life, I was fascinated with all things fashion and New York. I spent way too much on clothes and shoes. My girlfriends and I would go out, sometimes with our boyfriends, and get Cosmo’s. We felt so glamorous, even though we were so not. We’d talk about New York, L.A., and Atlanta, and how much we wanted to escape to a better life.
I still dream of a fab life in Manhattan every once in a while (even though in reality I much rather visit regularly than live permanently), and while I daydream about the city, I like to have a Cosmopolitan. They are simple and you can buy the mix for them and just add the alcohol.
And what goes better with a Cosmopolitan than a sweet cupcake. And what is more Sex in the City? But you won’t have to travel to New York for this sweet treat. This is a super simple recipe that uses cake mix, and replaces the water with Cosmo mix. Then I add a little food coloring and more of the Cosmo mix to the frosting. I made a huge batch of these last month for all the ladies in my husband’s class. They were a huge hit.
The cupcake liner’s I used are the Breast Cancer awareness pink liners from Reynold’s.
Yield: Serves 4
Cake
1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist® Vanilla Cake Mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 cup Cosmopolitan Drink Mix (without alcohol)
Frosting
1/2 cup shortening
1 stick, or 1/2 cup butter
1 lb. (about 4 cups) powdered sugar
2 - 3 tablespoons Cosmopolitan Drink Mix (without alcohol)
a few drops of red food coloring
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine Betty Crocker Super Moist® Vanilla Cake Mix, 1/2 cup oil and 1 cup Cosmopolitan Drink Mix in stand mixer or large mixing bowl. Add eggs. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer and beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Then turn mixer to medium speed for 1 minute.
Fill each cupcake liner in cupcake pan 2/3 full. Bake cupcakes at 350° for 21 - 26 minutes. Check cupcakes for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of one. Toothpick should be clean when pulled out if cupcakes are done.
Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
Combine butter and shortening in in stand mixer or large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream butter and shortening on high speed for 3 minutes or until light in color.
Add powdered sugar to mixing bowl. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds. Then turn to medium speed for 1 minute, or until sugar is incorporated.
Add 2 - 3 tablespoons Cosmopolitan Drink Mix to frosting. Mix on high until light and fluffy. Add a few drops of food coloring and mix on high again until the desired color is achieved.
