{TIP}sy Tuesday...Captivating Cocktails

My toes in the sand, an ice cold fruity cocktail in my hand!

From Painkillers in White Bay JVD, Cayman Sunsets in Grand Cayman, to Miami Vices in Cancun, or Scooby-Doos in Cozumel...Strawberry Shortcakes in Aruba, and Bob Marleys in Jamaica~there's a captivating cocktail to accompany the memories from each of our Island adventures. But of all the fruity concoctions I've had the pleasure of sipping on in paradise, there's one that tops the list as the most memorable. It's the Lime-in-de-Coconut cocktail!!

On a recent trip to St. John for our 20th wedding anniversary, this was my go-to cocktail while in the USVI~

The best way to describe it? A cross between a pina~colada (minus the pina) and a margarita (minus the tequila)! It's a mix of both light & dark coconuts rums, whole lime wedges (yes, the entire wedge), Coco Lopez, fresh lime juice, and lemon-lime soda. It's very light and refreshing, not too "alcohol-y", and creamy! But what makes this cocktail so unique, are the small bits of ground up lime peel throughout! Ooohhhh, so good!!

 

 

I have searched all over the net & Pinterest for a recipe that comes close to the real deal. The best one I've found is from rumtherapy.com ! But, I've tweaked it a bit to my liking.

 

Lime-in-de-Coconut Cocktail
1 oz dark rum
4 oz coconut rum
2 lime wedges (the entire wedge, peel and all)
2 oz Coco Lopez
4 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
1/2 can of lemon-lime soda for sweetness (Sprite or 7-Up)
Ice

In a blender, add the rums and lime wedges. **important**be sure to blend the rums & lime wedges together in the blender before adding in the other ingredients, so that the lime wedges are good & ground up before the ice goes in! Blend until the lime wedges are ground up into tiny little specks. Next, add in the Coco Lopez, fresh lime juice, soda, & ice. Blend until smooth. Garnish your glass with a sugar rim, lime wedge, and don't forget the paper umbrella!!
~enjoy~

A side note about RumTherapy.com...I LOVE their site! They have tons of Island cocktail recipes, travel tips, and Island eye candy! You can also find them on social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Goggle +, and Pinterest! Below is the direct link to their Lime-in-de-Coconut recipe! Stop by and check out their site!!

~Cheers~
please drink responsibly

 

http://www.rumtherapy.com/2013/03/lime-in-de-coconut/

 

A Sunny Place For a Shady Broadcast

soggydollarradio.com

If you've read my previous post, you already know that my favorite place on earth, to date, is White Bay, Jost Van Dyke BVI! Everyday, I dream of the day that I will once again be under it's spell. But, until we meet again...I have the Soggy Dollar Radio channel, broadcast live from White Bay, Jost Van Dyke BVI, to tide me over! It's a laid back mix of today's hits, Island tunes, and a few blasts from the past. It's the next best thing to actually being there. Any beach~aholic will love it! Available on the TuneIn App or at the link above!

Enjoy~



~I Love This Bar~

People often ask me..."What's your favorite place in the Caribbean?"  To date, it's hands down White Bay, Jost Van Dyke BVI...Home of the famous Soggy Dollar Bar and the original Painkiller! There's nothing I love more than a great beach bar with a low-key vibe, great music, and tasty cocktails. And, the Soggy Dollar Bar has it all!

Why is it called the Soggy Dollar Bar? There isn't a dock in White Bay, so visitors must shuttle in by dinghy or swim to shore from their vessel...thus their dollars are "soggy" from the swim in. The process is known as the "Soggy Dollar Survivor Challenge".

1. swim in

2. drink

3. swim out

I survived the Soggy Dollar challenge in June 2015, & I have been dreaming of my return ever since!

White Bay is a small crescent shaped beach with a handful of beach bars and restaurants.

The sand is white and powdery, and the water is the most gorgeous, clear, turquoise water I have ever seen.

and those painkillers...

AMAZING!!!

A mix of premium dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple and orange juices, and topped with fresh grated Grenadian nutmeg...it's the strongest drink that I never tasted. And by that, I mean it's a creeper! It goes down sooo smooth and tastes sooo incredible, that you don't even notice the alcohol! Don't say I didn't warn you!

I literally dream of this paradise, everyday!

~It wasn't goodbye, I'll see you later JDV~

for more info, visit their website

soggydollar.com

Yeti Tumblers...Beach Day Essentials

FINALLY...a cup that will actually keep your drink cold for hours on a hot day! These are the Yeti Rambler 20oz & 30oz Tumblers. Equally as impressive as their coolers, these Yeti tumblers are well worth the $30-$40 price tag. They keep ice for hours so your drink doesn't get watered down, and the "no sweat" design keeps your hands dry! I love the clear lids too!! Definitely an essential for your next day of fun in the sun!!

What a difference a year makes...

photo credit:Michelle (Shellie) Ross

It has been a little over a year since my last post. This past year has brought forth some "rough seas". I turned 40, sent my oldest daughter off to college, buried my father-in-law, sold the "dream house", and have endured fire, floods, and financial decline. Although, I should be throwing a huge pity party, I am fortunate to have learned a very valuable lesson... With adversity, comes clarity! I have come to realize what is most important in my life. It was not the "things"that I was trying to fill my life with that made me happy, it was the "moments" that filled my life.  I am now living my life collecting moments, not things...less stuff, more life! And, it feels amazing!

"A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner."

English Proverb

{TIP}sy Tuesday...Aunt Sandy's Cayman Rum Cake

"Dippin' our toes in the water. I don't care if it gets any hotter, its you and me rememberin' how to have fun. Let's put our hearts together, two parts love and a pinch of good weather. Top it all off with the sun. Mix it with rum, mmmm, mmmm, mm, mm..." Brothers Osborne-Rum

I love that song! When I'm at the beach, I love indulging in a fruity rum cocktail or two! In my opinion, anything with rum is the ultimate tropical treat! This rich, moist bundt cake is perfect for a summer BBQ or pool party. It's always a hit with our crowd!! I got this recipe from my Aunt Sandy. She and her family vacation in the Cayman Islands several times each year. Whenever she makes this cake, she uses Tortuga Rum which is made in the Cayman's. But, I haven't been able to find it here in the states, so I substitute with dark rum or coconut rum. 

Enjoy~Cheers!!

Cayman Rum Cake

Cake:

1 cup chopped pecans (optional...see directions below if using)

1 package yellow cake mix

1 3.4 oz package instant vanilla pudding

4 eggs

1/2 cup cold water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup rum

Glaze:

1 stick unsalted butter 

1/8 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup rum

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325. Generously grease a 10 inch bundt pan. If using pecans, sprinkle the pecans around the bottom of the greased bundt pan. 

Mix all the cake ingredients together with a hand mixer, about 2 minutes. Pour the batter into the bundt pan. 

Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.

**note, I use the convection feature on my oven and it takes exactly 50 minutes**

While the cake is cooling, melt the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Stir in the water and sugar. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the rum. Let stand a few minutes to cool slightly. 

Pour the glaze into the bundt pan. Let it sit about 10-15 minutes so the cake can absorb the glaze.

Carefully turn the cake onto a large plate or cake stand.

mmmmmmm!!

{TIP}sy Tuesday...Sandy Toes

"You can shake the sand from your shoes, but it will never leave your soul."

Author Unknown

OR...your feet, legs, and other various (ahem)"places" it finds its way into! There's not much I love more than having my toes in the sand, but getting it off myself at the end of a beach day seems near impossible! Until, I ran across this pin on Pinterest.

 "Dirty Little Secret, Baby Powder Tip"

Why have I never heard of this simple little trick? 

Simply rub some baby powder on your skin, and the sand will rub right off! 

I'm speechless...

Happy Tuesday, Sea~Shell