(A concoction inspired by tattoos, but with rose, red wine, and lemon, is perfect for the Spring Pink Scorpio Moon, too!)

Energy: Beauty, Love, Lust, Optimism, Creativity, Rebirth

Tattoos are often a way to physically express and embody one’s experiences, perspective, and aspirations as we walk through life – or sometimes we just want some cool ink! In celebration of tattoos for Westport Library’s Tattoo Tales event, here is a grounded yet floral cocktail that celebrates the spiritual nature of tattoos, as a means of owning one’s story and experiences! (And just a D*mn good drink to enjoy if you like craft cocktails and tattoos 😉 ).

With rye whiskey celebrating the body and roots from which we all come, purifying and optimistic lemon, sweetening simple syrup, aromatic rose, elevating and creative orange, this sour variation is as addictive as getting a tattoo itself! Topped with a float of red wine to represent the body and lust, egg white for rebirth (which also adds texture and cohesiveness to the concoction), and a “tattoo” drawn on the egg white with angostura bitters, the Painted Lady is as visually tantalizing as she tastes!

The Painted Lady

A floral, balanced, refreshing sour variation with rye whiskey, rose, orange notes, and red wine! Inspired by tattoos, with the energy of creativity, rebirth, beauty, and celebrating the physical.

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Ingredients

1.5 ounces rye whiskey
1/2 ounce simple syrup (equal parts sugar to water)
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce triple sec
4 dashes/drops rosewater
1 egg white*
1/2 ounce red wine for float
5 drops/dashes angosture bitters

Instructions

In a shaker, pour in rye whiskey, simple syrup, lemon juice, triple sec, rose water, and egg white. Add ice, and shake. Remove ice and shake mixture again, without ice (known as a dry shake. You are doing a dry shake on the second time around to allow for a better foam with which to make your "tattoo"). Strain into a coupe glass, and using the back of a barspoon (or whatever spoon you have handy), carefully pour red wine into cocktail so that it rests at the top of the drink as a layer. Drop bitters into flower pattern on foam, and use a toothpick to draw your flower or symbol with the bitter drops on the foam. (For my witches, you can use this to draw a sigil!). Garnish with rose petals.
You can also roll the cocktail – pour from one glass to another – to mix the red wine and bitters in, for a burgundy-pink colored concoction.

Notes

*Egg white is great for purification, and can add texture, as well as mellow out the acidity of drinks. If you don’t feel comfortable with using egg white however, you can forego it, or try using iced tea instead (I’ve seen some people do that! The foam still won’t last as long though).

Optional Swap: For a sweeter, more floral concoction, you can swap the rye whiskey with white rum and perhaps use a little less simple syrup.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Ingredient Alignment

Egg – Protection, Rebirth/New Life, Cleansing, Abundance, Healing, Divination

Lemon (Moon, Water) – Creativity, Fidelity, Friendship, Happiness, Joy, Longevity, Love, Purification

Orange (Sun, Fire) – Love, Divination, Luck, Money, Beauty, Purification, Creativity/Inspiration

Rose (Venus, Water) – Love, Psychic Powers, Healing, Love, Divination, Luck, Protection

Sugarcane (Venus, Water) – Love, Lust

Works Cited

Here are the resources I used to help guide my work beyond what I already know! I highly recommend these reference tests 🙂

Disclaimer: In order to support in my work bringing you this information each week, on occasion I may earn a small commission from endorsements, recommendations, or links to any products from this website. These are links to actual products and resources I use and suggest.

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen. Llewellyn Publications, 1990.

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn Publications, 1985.

The Painted Lady