I first had the Ispahan cupcake made by Devrah Otten at Cupcake 2.0 at SXSW 2009.  It was fantastic, so I decided to try making a version of my own.  One night at FINO restaurant in Austin, Bill Norris let me smell the St. Germain Elderflower liquor that is used in the Paloma Flower drink.  After one sniff, I knew it was perfect for the Ispahan.  It smelled like lychees.  It smelled like apples.  It smelled like peaches. But it wasn't any of those.  It was just an absolutely fabulously fragrant liquor. I immediately went to Austin Wine Merchant for a bottle.  At 36 bucks a bottle, St. Germain was well worth it.

This recipe is under wraps, but it is Amaretto cake, brushed with rose water, filled with Lychees and Raspberries, topped with St. Germain Buttercream. I love this cupcake.

All recipes and cupcake names copyrighted. 2002-2009 Jennie Chen