It’s only September 2nd (Happy Birthday Tracy!) but I’m already seeing the early signs of fall and couldn’t be more excited! It’s been gloomy and rainy the past several days which just makes me want to snuggle into one of my crazy cat lady/grandma sweaters, grab a book, and sip on a glass of this sangria. Fresh red apples, plums, and pears makes this as sweet and crisp as an autumn day with a finish of warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and pumpkin pie spice. A generous amount of Sailor Jerry Rum accentuates the flavors even more and bubbly champagne adds a festive feel to it.
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Blood Orange Mojito
We’re heading into summer, but you wouldn’t know that around here with our temperatures in the 60’s, gloomy rainy days, and I may or may not be wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, over-sized flannel, and sipping pumpkin spice coffee. What can I say? I’m currently living in a deep state of denial that it’s not October right now.
To try and wrap brain around the concept that the seasons are in fact changing, I’ve been making lots of citrusy fresh cocktails and cooking with summer ingredients. Since we’re nearing the end of the season for blood oranges, I thought I would make use of them once more in this simple and bold mojito. It’s sweet, tart, refreshing, and makes me.. do I dare say? Slightly optimistic about summer!
Spiced Caramel Apple Sangria
Sangria is one those drinks that brings everyone together and since this is the time of year for gatherings and holidays, I couldn’t think of a more perfect flavor for this batch… Spiced Caramel Apple! With each sip you taste the sweet rich caramel, the flavor of fresh green apples, spices, cool crisp wine, and bubbly champagne. Although this makes quite a bit I would still recommend doubling the recipe because it goes quick!
The Heartbreaker Cocktail
We’ve all had our hearts broken a time or two and have probably crushed a few hearts along the way as well. We can all agree that no matter which part you play, the feeling (for lack of a better expression) completely sucks! Instead of wallowing in your misery, get back on your feet, and make yourself a drink to celebrate! You’ve got a fresh start and there’s no sense in wasting it by feeling sorry for yourself… okay.. I’ll allow you to throw a Pity Party for 20 minutes, but after that you’ve got no excuses! Aside from love advice, my Valentines Day gift to you is this refreshing new Heartbreaker cocktail! It’s sweet and crisp with a smooth finish from the Sailor Jerry that will make you forget all about the dirty scoundrel or rotten sea wench that broke your heart in the first place! 😉 [Read more…]
Daily Life
The past few weeks have been extremely busy socially and I’m finding myself struggling to keep up! I know that waiting for life to calm down is a bit of a waste of time because in my experience, it only seems to pick up the pace! I’m doing my best to keep up with comments, emails, and questions so hang in there with me!
Last Saturday we attended the after party for Bon Appetit’s Feast Portland event held at Cooper’s Hall Winery and Taproom. It’s a gorgeous and spacious venue that actually keeps the winery and taproom open to let guests have a closer look at the wine making process. Since Sailor Jerry Rum was one of the sponsors, they invited Josh to tattoo a few Sailor Jerry flash designs on after party-goers as sort of a ‘party favor.’ People were completely bewildered to see tattoos happening at a food and drink festival, but they loved it all the same. Thank you again to Paul for having us and all of the amazing people we met while there!
Earlier in the week we went out for an afternoon date. First up.. coffee and food at Pambiche, a little Cuban restaurant that serves up the best mochas I’ve ever had and even better food! I’ve never been to Cuba to sample their cuisine, but I have to imagine that Pambiche is keeping things pretty damn authentic to recipes from Cuba. After that we headed over to Pix Patisserie so I could FINALLY try a macaron. Probably the best and worst decision of my life.. I now understand what all the hype is about and I can easily see myself devouring an entire box on the couch in lieu of going to the gym!
We also had the Bostons for a few days which was perfect timing with the weather change. Portland finally decided fall was here and it’s been great snuggling up with the pups during these cool days. The cooler weather also brought on a slew of new ideas for October, so if you guys are ready for it… let the Halloween cooking and crafting begin! Tomorrow I’ll be sharing a fall-themed drink at Dream A Little Bigger and Saturday will be a DIY accessory that’s perfect for Halloween!
Have you all made the transition to fall yet? What are you looking forward to the most this season?
Frozen Pineapple Mai Tai
About a month ago I had an entire pineapple that I had no clue what to do with. I sliced it up into chunks, froze them, and there in the freezer they stayed until just a few days ago. Since Portland has had a sweltering summer so far, I’ve been craving icy cold slushy drinks and couldn’t think of a better way to use up that frozen pineapple than with a delicious twist on the classic Mai Tai! I kind of just threw everything into the processor and hoped for the best, but was blown away by the perfect consistency and flavor of the drink! Smooth and fruity, yet balanced by the spices and notes from the rum. Whip one up for yourself the next time you need to beat the heat!
Surf and Turf Bloody Marys
Every time I make a Bloody Mary I use it as an opportunity to let my imagination run wild. I put a slightly different spin on each one to see how much I can change the flavor while still remaining true to the classic. And of course you can’t forget about the garnish! I’ve seen everything from an entire slice of pizza, to a slider, to crab legs.. which is what inspired my ‘surf and turf’ take on the drink. I decided to use tomato juice straight from my juicer to get the freshest boldest flavors that I could and keeping with my sea theme, added Sailor Jerry Rum instead of vodka.
I know it may seem like a lot of work to make your own tomato juice versus just using store bought, but I definitely noticed a big difference between the two. Store bought seems to be very heavy and high in sodium, whereas the fresh tomato juice was very light, both in consistency and flavor. It’s a great way to use up extra tomatoes from your garden and you can pass off your happy hour treat as a healthy one! You’ll still have a delicious tasting Bloody Mary regardless of which route you go, but give fresh tomato juice a try some time to see for yourself!
No juicer? No problem! I’ve included a few links to my other Bloody Mary recipes as well!
Caramel Corn Cupcakes
If you’re a caramel lover.. consider this recipe tailor made for you! Fluffy vanilla cake, rich caramel buttercream frosting, and topped with fresh baked caramel corn that gives them a satisfying crunch! They’re perfect for birthday parties, movie nights, and any other cupcake making occasion. But who really needs a reason to make them? Get baking!
Red, White, and Booze Slushies
Growing up, we lived just a block away from the nearest convenient store, so during the summer we loved to walk over and stock up on candy cigarettes, gummy bears, and of course SLUSHIES! There was just something magical about artificial fruit flavored syrupy slush that gave you a killer brain freeze with each sip. I set out to make an adult version of this childhood classic, but found that most of them contained a ridiculous amount of sugar as well. I decided to get back to basics by using fresh fruit, honey, and the pure bold flavor of Sailor Jerry Rum to create festive slushy libations just in time for the Fourth of July!
Tropical Heat Mojito
If you’re a fan of the sweet and spicy cocktail combo like me, then this drink is MADE for you! The slight heat from muddled jalapeños and the sweetness of fresh mango puree, come together perfectly with the bold kick of Sailor Jerry Rum. Mix one up for yourself this weekend and enjoy a mini-tropical vacation in a glass!
Queens Park Swizzle
Portland is holding true to its rainy reputation this week and as much as I love a little gloom and doom, I’m really longing for some warm sunny days and strong tiki drinks! Since the forecast shows no sign of these spring showers stopping, I decided to kick off the weekend with a Sailor Jerry original recipe for a Queens Park Swizzle! The perfect blend of strong, sweet, and sour that instantly makes you think of summer!
Red Hot Pin-Up
Valentine’s Day is next week and instead of going with the norm of making ‘Love-tinis’ or any other cheesy cocktail, I decided to spice things up! Red Hots are one of my favorite candies and there’s always a surplus of them this time of year. I infused Sailor Jerry Rum with the Red Hot candies to make a lusty libation that’s delicious enough to enjoy any time of year!
Shave and a Haircut
I wanted to recreate a Sailor Jerry original drink recipe that is as classic and bold as Norman’s tattooing style was and the Shave and a Haircut jumped out at me as the perfect cocktail for it!
Pineapple Cinnamon Mojito
This is a cocktail I’ve been dying to try from my Sailor Jerry recipe book and now that I have, I don’t think I’ll drink a mojito any other way! It’s an unexpected yet wonderful combination of flavors that make you think of relaxing on a tropical beach and curling up in front of a fireplace on a cold winter day all in one! The original recipe calls for a cinnamon foam which is prepared in a whipped cream siphon with egg whites, apple juice, cinnamon, sugar, and house bitters, but I made it a bit simpler by using French vanilla whipped cream and adding cinnamon to the cocktail. You can get fancy or take the quick route, but either way this is a must-make cocktail!
Murderous Mai Tai
A few weeks ago we threw a Haunted Luau, which doubled as a housewarming and an early Halloween party. On top of large quantities of food and treats, I made several pitchers of new cocktails to try out with my guests. The first to go was a batch of Murderous Mai Tai’s.. a dangerously delicious mix of Sailor Jerry Rum, fruit juice, and grenadine to give it a sweet taste and killer appearance! Make one just for you or whip up a large batch for your next Halloween party!
Salted Caramel Chocolate Souffles
For a while (okay.. as of this morning) I thought soufflés were really difficult! Each time has been a failure for me.. blame it on the recipe or “user error” but they just never turn out right. Today was a semi-success though! I found a really easy recipe to follow and threw my own spin on it by adding my caramel rum sauce and a bit of sea salt for that irresistible sweet and salty combo! There’s still room for improvement on my soufflé skills, but we all start somewhere! The recipe makes two soufflés so I photographed attempt #1 and #2 to help you when making your own!
Mini Apple Pie Tarts
I was craving apple pie, but I wanted to make individual sized portions that would be ideal for a party. I combined my crunchy buttery mini tart crust recipe with warm cinnamon and sugar baked apples, homemade whipped cream and caramel rum sauce for a crowd pleasing decadent dessert! [Read more…]
Boozy Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes
After trying these, I don’t think you’ll be able to have pineapple upside-down cake any other way! Warm fluffy cake topped with Sailor Jerry Rum infused pineapple chunks with caramelized butter and brown sugar. They make the perfect addition to any summer party or BBQ! So crack open that bottle of rum and get baking!
Homeward Bound
The first week of June in Portland is typically known as Fleet Week, where the U.S. Navy arrives and docks at Portland’s sea wall during the Rose Festival. Unfortunately, this year they had to cancel because of the budget cuts. Since the U.S. Navy cannot make it here I decided to bring them to you with a Sailor Jerry classic, the Homeward Bound! This simple yet delicious combination of fresh squeezed lemonade and Sailor Jerry Rum, makes the perfect thirst quenching summer cocktail!
Happy 1 Year!
Today is special for a few reasons.. one being that it’s my last day in Iowa to see friends and family before I fly back to the wonderfully weird, Portland, OR tomorrow morning and two.. It’s my one year blogging anniversary!!
I doubted myself a long time while doing this, but with the encouragement and support from friends, family, and all of my amazing readers I kept working hard and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! I cringe at some of my old posts and photos, but it’s good to look back and see the progression of Tattooed Martha and how far it’s come!
Whether you’ve followed me from the very start or you’re a new reader, I want to thank each and every one of you!
I’ll keep it short and sweet and end with a list of my Top 10 posts in the last year!
10. Broken Record Ombre Wall Art – One of my favorite wall-art projects so far!
9. Red Velvet Ex-Girlfriend Cupcakes – Over the last few years I’ve had to handle a lot of crazies, so I thought I would make fun of the situation with these delicious cupcakes! A lot of you must have been able to relate because this remained my number 1 post for several months!
8. Classic Mai Tai – This is one of 3 posts involving Sailor Jerry Rum that made it onto this list! This particular recipe is straight from the Sailor Jerry recipe book!
7. DIY Fabric Panel Shorts with No Sewing – This look was wildly popular last year, but I saw no need to pay $40-$60 for a pair! You all seemed to agree and loved this tutorial for interchangeable fabric panels for shorts!
6. Pink Champagne Cupcakes with Champagne Frosting – I created these scrumptious cupcakes near New Year’s Eve (as an excuse to buy MORE champagne!) and I’ve had tons of emails and comments from others telling me they’ve made them for bridal showers, 21st birthday parties, and sometimes made for no occasion at all, other than to enjoy them..and some champagne! ; )
5. Heart Elbow Patches for Cardigans – An easy project for sewers and non-sewers to spruce up a plain cardigan!
4. Spicy Rum Pulled Pork Sliders – Slow cooked pork shoulder marinated in BBQ sauce and Sailor Jerry Rum – It’s no surprise to see this was a fan favorite!
3. DIY T-Shirt Skirt – This easy DIY project was featured on Buzzfeed in a list of ways to make an old band t-shirt cool again! Thanks Rachael! : )
2. Sailor’s Sweetheart – This delicious cocktail became a favorite near Valentine’s Day when Sailor Jerry featured it on their Facebook page!
1. Six Unique Things to do with Cardboard Letters – I’m very happy that this is my number one post because that one word is what fuels this blog: CREATE. It doesn’t matter if you burn the cookies, forget a step, spill paint, or accidentally drop the eggs on the floor (guilty of all of these!), the point is that you deliberately set out to create something and that takes courage. If there’s one thing I want everyone to take away from this blog, it’s to never give up creating each and every day!
Classic Mai Tai
Blame it on my overwhelming need for a vacation to somewhere with white sand beaches, but I needed a taste of paradise and this did the trick! Sweet and citrusy with a kick of spice from Sailor Jerry Rum is all you need to transport yourself from this gloomy rainy spring weather!
Roasted Pear Sundaes with Homemade Caramel Sauce
Roasted Pear Sundaes with Homemade Caramel Sauce
Last night I made this as a trial run so I could adjust ingredients, time, and difficulty of the recipe. My intentions were to try a bite and put the rest in the freezer. That didn’t happen.. I quickly devoured the entire bowl and justified my ‘dessert dinner’ as acceptable because it had fruit in it.. If you’re okay with this little white lie to yourself or if you’re just looking for a fresh take on a classic dessert, dig in! It’s as easy as it is delicious!
Daily Life
We live in this age where we type out little blurbs about our lives and with one click, share with the world about how awesome everything is. We also get to take dozens of photos of ourselves, choose our favorite one, edit and add filters, and then present this flawless version of who people think we are. My point is that even though I haven’t been sharing a whole lot lately, I’m still guilty of filtering or withholding what’s really happening, thus causing me to be quite dormant on the blog and on social media.
I’ve been experiencing a lot of stress, pressure, frustration, disappointment, and homesickness leaving me unmotivated and too exhausted to write. I kept telling myself that things would change soon and I would have something positive to share instead, but they haven’t and I can’t just continue to remain silent.
I crave balance in my life (go figure.. I’m a Libra), so when my life feels like it has none, I become very unhappy, very quickly. Right now I’m overwhelmed with trying to balance work, friends, family, the blog, and of course this mythical thing called “Me Time.” I put an extreme amount of pressure on myself to keep all of these aspects in my life harmoniously synced, but I’m failing and it adds to the list of nasty feelings I’m harboring inside.
My mental and physical endurance, time management, and problem solving skills are all being put to the test and so far I haven’t been able to keep up. I’m not writing about it because the bad times have passed and I no longer feel those things, I’ve just simply decided to open up, write no matter what, and take things one day at a time. Are you guys ready for weekly Daily Life posts again? If so, speak up! I’ll share the ups, downs, and in-between so long as you’re still hanging in there with me.
A friend and I celebrated a much needed day off and her birthday by heading for the coast to picnic, drink lots of wine, and take photos. It felt like a weight was lifted off of my chest as soon as I set my eyes on the ocean, which reminded me how much I need nature in my life to stay sane. We finished the day off with tiki drinks at Trader Vic’s and then several hours of pinball and arcade games at Ground Kontrol.
Another exciting thing that happened is that the new issue of Skin Deep came out with a feature about the blog and myself! It was pretty surreal to flip through one of the number one tattoo magazines in the UK and see my silly mug staring back at me! It’s also the first time I’ve had one of my recipes published in a magazine! It’s an exclusive so I won’t be sharing the recipe here, but you can get it by ordering a copy or online version from SkinDeep.com. And believe me.. you’ll want it: It’s a Rum Spiked Salted Caramel Milkshake made with.. you guessed it: Sailor Jerry! After taking several long sips I exclaimed, “Oh shiiiiiii… this is way too good!” and proceeded to take down the rest of the boozy ice cream concoction and call that my supper. And while you drink your own dinner you can flip through the rest of the awesome artwork, convention coverage, and interviews!
That’s all I have for you guys today, but stay tuned for some new recipes and DIY projects!
Chocolate New Year’s Eve Cupcakes
Call it dedication or procrastination, but before packing, running errands, and attending to last minute chores before we left for Iowa on Sunday morning, I decided, ‘I’m going to bake cupcakes for the blog instead!’ With New Year’s Eve tomorrow, I didn’t want to leave you guys hanging without a festive and delicious recipe to ring in 2014! I even incorporated my Sailor Jerry Chocolate Rum Balls to create the iconic ball drop countdown in New York City! Whether you’re keeping it low-key or throwing a big NYE bash, you don’t want to leave these cupcakes off the menu!