I’ll never forget the first time I made these Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes.
It was a sunny afternoon, the kind where the air feels like summer itself. I was prepping for a backyard party and wanted a dessert that tasted like sunshine, celebration, and a little bit of adventure.
Something tropical. Something fun.
One bite of these cupcakes — bursting with sweet strawberries, juicy mango, and a playful hint of margarita lime and tequila — and I knew I had found the perfect party dessert.
They became the highlight of the day. People kept asking, “Where did you buy these?” They couldn’t believe they were homemade!
Now, these cupcakes are a staple whenever I want to bring a little extra sparkle to a gathering.
They’re bright, fruity, light — and just the right amount of cheeky, thanks to the margarita twist.
Table of Contents
Key Benefits of Making Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes
- Fresh and Fruity: Bursting with real strawberries and mango.
- Lightly Boozy (Optional): Perfect for adult celebrations but easily made alcohol-free.
- Visually Stunning: Gorgeous colors and festive vibes.
- Simple to Make: No fancy equipment needed.
- Perfect for Any Celebration: Summer parties, Cinco de Mayo, birthdays, or just because.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes
Full Ingredients List
Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
All-purpose flour | 1¾ cups | Measured correctly for fluffy texture |
Baking powder | 1½ teaspoons | For perfect rise |
Salt | ¼ teaspoon | Balances sweetness |
Unsalted butter (softened) | ½ cup (1 stick) | Room temperature for easy creaming |
Granulated sugar | 1 cup | Sweetens and stabilizes structure |
Eggs | 2 large | Room temperature preferred |
Fresh strawberries (pureed) | ½ cup | For real berry flavor |
Fresh mango (pureed) | ½ cup | Natural tropical sweetness |
Tequila (optional) | 2 tablespoons | Adds authentic margarita flavor |
Lime zest | 1 tablespoon | Brightens and sharpens the flavor |
Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | Warmth and balance |
Milk | ¼ cup | Moisture for a tender crumb |
Powdered sugar | 2 cups (for frosting) | Smooth frosting base |
Cream cheese (softened) | 8 oz (for frosting) | Rich, tangy frosting texture |
More strawberries and mango (for garnish) | As needed | Extra color and flavor for topping |
Ingredient Tip:
Always use ripe fruit for the sweetest, juiciest flavor.
How to Make Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Step-by-Step
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Purees
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
- Puree fresh strawberries and fresh mango separately in a blender or food processor until smooth.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Mixing Tip:
Creaming properly adds air to the batter, giving your cupcakes a lighter texture.
Step 4: Add the Flavor Magic
- Mix in the strawberry puree, mango puree, lime zest, tequila (if using), and vanilla extract.
- Beat just until combined.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk.
- Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Do not overmix — a few lumps are okay!
Step 6: Fill and Bake the Cupcakes
- Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
Baking Tip:
Rotating the pan halfway through ensures even baking.
Step 7: Prepare the Margarita Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and fluffy.
- Add a splash of lime juice or an extra teaspoon of tequila if you like more margarita flavor.
Step 8: Decorate and Serve
- Pipe or spread the frosting generously over each cooled cupcake.
- Top with diced fresh strawberries, mango cubes, and a sprinkle of lime zest.
- Optional: Garnish with a tiny wedge of lime for extra flair!
Decorating Tip:
Dust a little coarse sugar on the frosting rim to mimic a margarita salt rim — fun and festive!
What Makes These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes So Special
- Bright, Tropical Flavors: Fresh strawberries, mango, and lime create a flavor explosion.
- Playful Presentation: Gorgeous pops of red, orange, and green — perfect for Instagram-worthy dessert tables.
- Customizable: Easily swap or adjust flavors based on personal preference.
- No Heavy Frosting: Cream cheese frosting is light, fluffy, and not overly sweet.
Flavor Variations and Creative Twists
Strawberry Lemon Margarita Cupcakes
- Replace mango puree with fresh lemon juice and zest.
- Adds a tangy, fresh brightness.
Mango Coconut Margarita Cupcakes
- Fold shredded coconut into the batter for a tropical twist.
Virgin Margarita Cupcakes (Alcohol-Free)
- Skip the tequila and add extra lime juice instead.
- All the flavor, none of the alcohol!
Creative Tip:
Mix a little passion fruit or pineapple puree into the frosting for even more tropical vibes.
Best Occasions to Serve Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes
- Summer BBQs
- Cinco de Mayo Parties
- Beach Picnics
- Bachelorette Parties
- Tropical-Themed Birthdays
- Weekend Brunch with Friends
Serving Tip:
Pair with real margaritas for adults or a fruity punch for all-ages fun.
Storage and Freezing Tips for Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes

Storage
- Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
Freezing
- Freeze unfrosted cupcakes individually wrapped for up to 2 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and frost fresh.
Freezing Tip:
Freeze frosting separately or make it fresh for best texture.
Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Nutrition Facts
(Approximate per cupcake)
Nutrient | Amount |
Calories | 290 |
Protein | 3g |
Carbohydrates | 34g |
Fat | 15g |
Fiber | 1g |
Sugar | 22g |
(Values vary based on fruit ripeness and frosting quantity.)
FAQs About Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes
Can I make Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes without tequila?
Absolutely! Simply substitute extra lime juice for a bright, fresh, alcohol-free treat.
How long do Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes last?
Frosted cupcakes stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Unfrosted can be frozen for longer storage.
Can I use frozen fruit for Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes?
Yes, but thaw and drain thoroughly to avoid a watery batter.
What frosting pairs best with Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes?
Cream cheese frosting is ideal — it’s lightly tangy and lets the fruity flavors shine.
How can I boost the margarita flavor?
Add extra lime zest and a splash of silver tequila to both the batter and frosting for a stronger margarita punch.
Conclusion
These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are pure celebration in a cupcake liner.
Fresh, fruity, lightly boozy if you want them to be — and 100% delicious.
Whenever I bake these for a party, they’re always the first dessert to vanish.
They capture the spirit of summer, the joy of gatherings, and the simple pleasure of baking something beautiful and fun.
So whether you’re hosting a big celebration or just want to treat yourself to a little tropical magic, these cupcakes are ready to party — are you?
Print
Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes combine the fruity sweetness of strawberries and mangoes with a hint of lime and optional tequila for a tropical, party-ready dessert. Topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes are the perfect mix of fun and flavor.
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour (measured correctly for fluffy texture)
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder (for perfect rise)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (balances sweetness)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (room temperature for easy creaming)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (sweetens and stabilizes structure)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature preferred)
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, pureed (for real berry flavor)
- ½ cup fresh mango, pureed (natural tropical sweetness)
- 2 tablespoons tequila (optional, adds authentic margarita flavor)
- 1 tablespoon lime zest (brightens and sharpens the flavor)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (warmth and balance)
- ¼ cup milk (moisture for a tender crumb)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting, smooth frosting base)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting, rich, tangy frosting texture)
- More strawberries and mango (as needed, for garnish, extra color and flavor for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in pureed strawberries, mango, lime zest, vanilla extract, and tequila (if using).
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk into the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat softened cream cheese until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
- Frost cooled cupcakes and garnish with small pieces of fresh strawberry and mango.
Notes
- Tequila is optional—omit for a kid-friendly version.
- Ensure fruits are pureed smoothly for best texture.
- Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- For extra flair, sprinkle lime zest or a pinch of salt on top of the frosting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Strawberry Mango Cupcakes, Margarita Cupcakes, Tropical Cupcakes, Fruit Cupcake Recipe, Cream Cheese Frosting Cupcakes