The Sara by Sara Galactica

This Lounge styled by Sara Holodnick of Sara Galactica

“I’m a writer and storyteller based in Bellingham, Washington. I love finding ways to tell stories through unexpected mediums such as original cocktails, events, tarot, and more.”

Sara is as colorful of a person as the ink on her arms. A writer by trade she has her talented hands in many different pots around Bellingham. You may find her at one of our favorite spots, The Temple Bar, whipping up a custom cocktail for a Twin Peaks screening, or throwing lavish costume parties. She is fun, she is creative, she is a #girlboss. Making it happen everywhere she goes and she is one of the most welcoming people we have met on our journey thus far.

We invited Sara out to the warehouse to style a lounge that represents her and the business empire she has created. Sara is a creator of custom cocktails, after styling a bar and seating area she came up with Halfway to Marrakesh. (Recipe Below) The story that inspired this creation was almost as good as the cocktail itself. We asked Sara a few questions about her lounge and her personal style. This is what she had to say:

Tell us about the cocktail you created? Halfway to Marrakesh is a take on traditional Moroccan mint tea: A sweetened combination of gunpowder green tea and fresh mint. My cocktail infuses those flavors into a simple syrup which is combined with gin, lime juice, and muddled with mint and lemon balm… And an absinthe rinse. It’s surprisingly simple to make (and way cheaper than a ticket to Tangier). 

What style would you call your lounge? I would describe my lounge as late 1960s Moroccan bohemian.

What was your inspiration? The fabulous green bar reminded me of vintage photographs of Morocco from the 1970s. I could see the brilliant green and gold hues of mosaics and fabrics and knew I had to fill my lounge with brass, wicker, and tapestry-like rugs.

Describe your personal style? I take a somewhat minimal approach to my own personal style. I wear a lot of permanent color on my body with my tattoos, so I prefer dark neutrals like black and grey and classic silhouettes over trendy designs. The same goes for my aesthetic at home: I gravitate toward interesting shapes and silhouettes instead of bright colors. I love the look of mismatched brass candlesticks against grey. For me, style is all about balance (and the same goes for great cocktails).

 How would you use this lounge? I would love to use this lounge for a backyard summertime cocktail party. The wicker chairs, floor pillows, and rugs would be perfect seating tucked away under trees or umbrellas, and Halfway to Marrakesh is a tasty sipper ideal for sunny days.

What is your favorite piece? This is a tough one! I’m in love with the bar, but I’d have to say my favorite piece is probably the curvaceous, large brass vase I chose to sit on top of the bar. I love the shapely look of this– it would be so versatile to decorate with and would fit right in with my little collection of brass pieces.

How does this style represent your business? When I meet new people I introduce myself as a writer because I see all of the facets of my work as modes for telling stories. This styled lounge represents my business because it encourages imagination, transporting people to another place just like a great piece of writing can.

SARA GALACTICA

Moroccan Mint Tea Syrup

1 cup organic cane sugar

1/2 cup water

4 tablespoons loose gunpowder green tea

1/2 cup fresh mint

  1. Combine sugar and water in a pan. 
  2. Cook over medium heat, stirring often to dissolve sugar.
  3. Bring just to a simmer and reduce heat to low. 
  4. Add green tea and mint sprigs. Allow to simmer for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove syrup from heat and steep for 10 minutes. 
  5. Strain syrup into an airtight jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. 

 

Halfway to Marrakesh

2 oz gin

1/2 oz Moroccan Mint Tea Syrup

1/2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice

2-3 full sprigs of mint

2-3 full sprigs of lemon balm (optional)

Absinthe (to rinse)

  1. Place sprigs of mint and lemon balm in the bottom of an empty cocktail shaker. Mash the herbs with a muddler (or a wooden spoon) until well bruised and aromatic. 
  2. Pour about a teaspoon of absinthe into a rocks glass and swirl it around so that it coats the inside. Shake what’s left into the sink (or your open mouth, I won’t judge). Fill with ice and set aside.
  3. Add gin, syrup, and lime juice and fill shaker halfway with ice. Shake vigorously until well chilled (about 20 seconds). Strain into your cocktail glass. 
  4. Garnish your glass with fresh mint. Enjoy!

 

Party tip: Preparing cocktails for a crowd? Muddle fresh mint and lemon balm (about a 1/4 cup each) in the bottom of a pitcher. Add two cups of gin, 1/2 cup Moroccan Mint Tea Syrup, and 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice to pitcher. Fill with ice and stir well. Strain into absinthe rinsed, ice-filled rocks glasses. Serves 8-12.