Last Ghost in the Kitchen (for Now!)
A Thank-You, a Ghost Story, and What’s Next…
It’s the final week of my birthday month, and I want to say a huge thank you for letting me share this ghostly culinary adventure with you.
All June long, I’ve been sharing a weekly ghost story + Southern recipe just like I do in my new Cooking with Ghosts: Hauntingly Good Southern Recipes cookbook, inspired by my Confessions of a Closet Medium series.
Raise a Glass… Carefully
Southern gatherings wouldn’t be complete without a drink in hand—whether it’s a tall glass of iced tea or something with a little more bite. Every sip in this section is a tribute to ghost stories whispered over porches, bar tables, and firepits.
Here’s to the spirits who sit with us a little longer, the recipes we stir with love, and the quiet clinks of unseen glasses when no one else is in the room.
Drink responsibly. Or at least with one eye on the mirror.
Cheers from the other side!
This Week’s Haunting: The Spirit in the Cider
Ava thought it was a harmless birthday toast—until she poured herself a glass of apple cider, splashed in a little bourbon, and heard a soft clink from an empty glass across the table.
That’s when Josiah Calhoun appeared, looking dapper in a 1920s bow tie, holding up a glass of the same golden elixir. Legend says Josiah was a bootlegger who ran apple brandy out of the orchard before he died in a distillery explosion. Now, he shows up when the cider’s just right—smooth, warm, and spiced with cinnamon and clove.
“Never skimp on the bourbon,” he whispered before fading away, leaving Ava’s glass tinged with a little extra spirit.
🧀 This Week’s Recipe:
Southern Spirit Elixir (Bourbon Apple Cider)
Ingredients:
• 2 cups apple cider
• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Dash of clove and nutmeg
• Apple slices for garnish
Instructions:
1. Warm cider with spices in a small saucepan.
2. Pour into a mug, add bourbon, and garnish with an apple.
Ghostly Tip: Stir clockwise three times and say, “To the ones who came before.” It’ll keep your cup—and your heart—warm.
This wraps up your June sampler of ghost stories + recipes from Cooking with Ghosts. If you enjoyed these little slices of haunted Southern life, I’d love for you to stick around.
Starting in July, I’ll send out a brand-new ghost story + recipe every month—but only to annual paid subscribers. It's a cozy, magical little club, and there's still time to join.
🎉 Join the haunted kitchen before June 30th: https://substack.com/@mistyevansauthor
Thank you for being here. You make this storytelling magic possible.
With gratitude and ghostly snacks,
Nyx 💜