Cupcakes Take a Shine to Whiskey by Kristine Hansen

Photo: fiveinchpixie, Flickr

Grown-up cupcakes are the best. And it doesn't get any more adult than a tiny cake spiked with whiskey. A handful of cupcake cafés around the country are celebrating St. Patrick's Day early this year by folding Irish whiskey into the batter or the frosting.

Here's where to find these delicious whiskey cupcakes:

-"Irish Coffee" at Sweets Bakeshop in St. Paul, Minnesota: Espresso ganache is tucked inside the chocolate cupcake, which is iced with Irish-whiskey buttercream and toasted hazelnuts.

-"Irish Whiskey" at Flour & Sun Bakery in Pleasantville, New York: Tasting a lot like Irish soda bread, the batter contains raisins and Irish whiskey, and the cupcake is topped with Irish-whiskey buttercream.

-"Irish Cream" at Sonia's Cupcakes in South Florida: These chocolate cupcakes are dunked in Guinness stout and whiskey. (Note that this appears to be delivery only, while the others have a retail presence.)

-"Whiskey Butterscotch Organic Cupcakes" at Sugar Cupcakery in Milford, Ohio: Any time there's an eco twist on alcohol it's a good thing. These bitty cakes are organic, as are the rest of the cupcakes made here, and the added flavor of butterscotch is intriguing.

-"The Car Bomb" at Robicelli's in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York City: The chocolate-Guinness stout cupcake's ganache is made with Jameson Irish Whiskey and the buttercream frosting is spiked with Baileys Irish Cream.