Find yourself a bottle of limoncello and settle in for an interview with Steffanie Holmes!

We're gonna talk Pisces season, the Nevermore Murder Club and Smutty Book Coven (best series name ever? I think so), cocktails, and general shenanigans.

Affirmation:

I release my mistakes and open myself to new opportunities.

Resources:

Follow Steffanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steffanieholmeswrites

Sign up (for free!) for Steffanie's Spookybat fan club: https://www.patreon.com/cw/SteffanieHolmesWrites

And buy all her books! https://www.nevermorebookshop.co.nz/

Find the Cracked Amethyst tarot deck: https://www.thecrackedamethyst.com/

Watch us on YouTube at https://youtu.be/WT_O6f4pOw0

Follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/, check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ and sign up for our newsletter!

Theme song: Chernoye Vedma by Ian Post

Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share!

Thanks - the Caftan Coven

Limoncello Spritz (Energy: Cleansing and releasing negative emotions, lifting spirit, attracting luck and connection.)

Ingredients:

• 90 mL (3 oz.) Prosecco
• 60 mL (2 oz.) Luxardo Limoncello
• 30 mL (1 oz.) Club soda
• 15 mL (½ oz.) Fresh lemon juice (optional)

Garnish: Lemon slice

Directions:

1. Fill a balloon glass with ice. (Can also use a highball glass or large wine glass.)
2. In order, pour in Prosecco, limoncello, and fresh lemon juice (if using).
3. Top with club soda.
4. Add citrus slice for garnish.

Today's minisode is a bit more serious than usual. Join Shéa and Amy as they talk about writing during hard times, including physical and mental health issues.

But always remember -

If you CAN write, write.
If you can’t, care for yourself and return when you can.

The words will come back.

They always do.

Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/find-your-local-nami/

• Suicide & Crisis Hotline: call or text 988 (USA/Canada)
• The Trevor Project (US): For LGBTQ youth, call 1-866-488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678.
• Crisis Text Line (US): Text "HOME" to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor.
• Veterans Crisis Line (US): Dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255 to connect with the Veterans Affairs specialized team.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline (US): 1-800-799-7233(SAFE)
• Domestic Violence Hotlines (EU): https://www.improve-horizon.eu/helplines
• Find a Helpline (EU): https://findahelpline.com/

Watch us on YouTube at https://youtu.be/cqe42D9yRkU

Follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/, check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ and sign up for our newsletter!

Theme song: Chernoye Vedma by Ian Post

Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share!

Thank you!

The Caftan Coven

Grab some gin, cherry liqueur, and bubbles, and join us for Amy's 49th birthday episode. We're gonna talk Pisces facts, Amy's upcoming release, cocktails, and general shenanigans.

Affirmation:

Magic flows through me, adapting to the shape of my energy.

Resources:

Amy's cocktail cherry recipe: https://www.crowdedkitchen.com/homemade-cocktail-cherries/

Visit Amy's website & sign up for her newsletter at: https://amycissell.com

Pre-order Wolf Pack of the Apocalypse! https://books2read.com/wolfpackoftheapocalypse

Norse Goddess Rune Oracle by Rebecca Joy Stark: https://blueangelonline.com/shop/card-decks/oracle-cards/norse-goddess-rune-oracle/

Watch us on YouTube at https://youtu.be/mpz53KInJII

Follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/, check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ and sign up for our newsletter!

Theme song: Chernoye Vedma by Ian Post

Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share!

Thanks - the Caftan Coven

Portuguese 77 (Energy: Protection, Divination, Renewal, Love, Luck, and Celebration)

Ingredients:

• 60 mL (2 oz) gin (Portuguese gin for best Portuguese energy, but any London dry style will be amazing)
• 30 mL (1 oz) cherry liqueur* OR 100% cherry juice
• Juice of 1/2 lemon (from the Azores, if you can get it!)
• Espumante (or bubbles of your choice)
• Ice

Garnish: Cocktail cherry* in a lemon peel twist!

Directions:

1. Add gin, cherry liqueur, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is cold - about 20 seconds.
3. Strain the cocktail into a couple glass.
4. Top with espumante
5. Garnish with a cherry & lemon twist.

*Amy made her own cocktail cherries/liqueur-ish type stuff. https://www.crowdedkitchen.com/homemade-cocktail-cherries/

In today's episode, Shéa and Amy talk about how mixers make magic, how stirring, muddling, pouring, and balancing transform a simple cocktail into a purposeful potion.

Mix yourself a cocktail and learn about the energy you can find in the various juices, herbs, spices, carbonated beverages, and sweeteners used in your mixed drinks.

Remember to choose your mixers with intent, because you’re not just mixing a drink.

You’re mixing magic.

Resources:

Witchcraft Cocktails by Julia Halina Hadas

Moon, Magic, Mixology and Witchcraft Cocktails by Julia Halina Hadas

The Witches' Encyclopedia Of Magical Plants Book History Folklore Correspondences & Spells Ultimate Guide To Plant Magic Herb Magick Witch by Sandra Kynes

Watch us on YouTube at https://youtu.be/DC8uE0L9H-Y

Follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/, check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ and sign up for our newsletter!

Theme song: Chernoye Vedma by Ian Post

Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share!

Thanks - the Caftan Coven

Vodka Drinks! (Energy: Purification, clarity, new beginnings)

Cape Cod (Energy: Banishing negativity, strengthening confidence, purification, protection)

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz (~50 mL) Vodka
• 4 oz (~120 mL) Cranberry Juice
• Ice

Directions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour vodka over the ice.
3. Add cranberry juice and stir briefly to combine

Vodka Lemonade (Energy: Attracting money, protection from negativity, expressing joy, sweetening relationships

Ingredients:

• 2 oz (~60 mL) Vodka
• 4 oz (~120 mL) Lemonade
• Ice

Directions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour vodka over the ice.
3. Add lemonade and stir briefly to combine

Today's minisode is a bit more serious than usual. Join Shéa and Amy as they talk about writing during hard times, including physical and mental health issues.

But always remember -

This is not the time for perfection.
This is the time for gentleness. Especially with yourself.

Resources

• Suicide & Crisis Hotline: call or text 988 (USA/Canada)
• The Trevor Project (US): For LGBTQ youth, call 1-866-488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678.
• Crisis Text Line (US): Text "HOME" to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor.
• Veterans Crisis Line (US): Dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255 to connect with the Veterans Affairs specialized team.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline (US): 1-800-799-7233(SAFE)
• Domestic Violence Hotlines (EU): https://www.improve-horizon.eu/helplines
• Find a Helpline (EU): https://findahelpline.com/

Minisode 2: Writing Craft & the First Draft - September 2, 2025. Watch on YouTube at https://youtu.be/k2KhWZdoW3I

Watch us on YouTube at https://youtu.be/wF-Mgk1_3vE

Follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/, check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ and sign up for our newsletter!

Theme song: Chernoye Vedma by Ian Post

Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share!

Thank you!

The Caftan Coven

Creative Shadows Martini (Energy: Focus, Creativity, Renewal, Prosperity)

Ingredients:

• 1 oz coffee liqueur*
• 1/4 oz amaretto
• 1 oz vodka
• Whipped cream

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake and strain into chilled coupe or martini glass.
3. Garnish with whipped cream.

*Coffee Liqueur Recipe

• 2 cups hot water
• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ instant coffee
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Pull up an Aviation cocktail, don your fanciest party attire, and help us celebrate Shéa's 52nd birthday!

Today, we talk about Aquariuses (Aquariusii?), cocktails, and Shéa's newest book, Night of the Conjurer!

Affirmation:

Today and every day I will celebrate myself.

Resources:

Amy's cocktail cherry recipe: https://www.crowdedkitchen.com/homemade-cocktail-cherries/

Visit Shea's website & find all her socials + sign up for her newsletter at: https://www.sheamacleod.com/

Buy Night of the Conjurer! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GD2R4YCK/

Lady Rample Steps Out special edition kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sheamacleod/lady-rample-steps-out-special-edition-cozy-mystery-hardback

Mythweaver Tarot: https://cosmicseedstudio.com/the-myth-weaver-tarot

Watch us on YouTube at https://youtu.be/r8_bq6MvR8Y

Follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/, check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ and sign up for our newsletter!

Theme song: Chernoye Vedma by Ian Post

Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share!

Thanks - the Caftan Coven

Aviation (Energy: Celebration, Protection, Renewal, Luck)

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces gin (Botanist please)
• ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice (RealLemon is fine)
• ½ ounce maraschino liqueur (Luxardo)
• ¼ ounce crème de violette liqueur (Gifford for the win)
• Ice

Garnish: A brandied or maraschino cherry, or a lemon twist

Directions:

1. Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker cold as heck, about 20 seconds.
3. Strain the cocktail into the glass to ensure a smooth texture.
4. Garnish with a cherry or a lemon twist.

Pour yourself a lemon drop and join us for a brief history of Imbolc, a briefer and way less accurate account of goat-whacking, and a dive into ways to celebrate Imbolc today!

Resources:

Make an Imbolc Brigid corn husk doll: https://www.morbitorium.co.uk/s/stories/make-an-imbolc-bridey-doll

Make a Brigid's cross: https://youtu.be/Yn_MG4HZVOo?si=_2BzCu7LtjsIq48d

Ideas for your Imbolc feast: https://gathervictoria.com/2016/01/20/midwinter-feast-of-light-reviving-the-magical-foods-of-imbolc/

Watch us on YouTube at https://youtu.be/RX39hg486Qc

Follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/, check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ and sign up for our newsletter!

Theme song: Chernoye Vedma by Ian Post

Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share!

Thanks - the Caftan Coven

Imbolc Cleansing Limoncello Lemon Drop (Energy: Cleansing & Renewal)

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounces Vodka
• 1 Tablespoon triple sec
• ½ ounce limoncello
• ½ to 1 ounce Bay Leaf Simple Syrup (depending on how sweet you like it)*
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 2 dashes lavender bitters
• Ice
• Lemon twist or sprig of lavender for garnish

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients (except garnish) in cocktail shaker.
2. Shake it while visualizing the cleansing and renewing energy of fire and the sun.
3. Strain into coupe glass.
4. Garnish and enjoy.

*Bay Leaf Simple Syrup (Energy: Purification, Strength, Renewal from the Sun)

Equal parts granulated sugar and HOT water. Put sugar in hot water and stir until dissolved. Add 1 – 2 bay leaves. Let sit until cool. Store in fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Note: I leave the bay leaves in the syrup the entire time so it really steeps into the syrup.

In today's episode, Shéa and Amy talk about the foundation of a good, magical cocktail - the base spirit. Pour yourself a cocktail and learn about the energy you can find in the various liquors used in your mixed drinks.

Remember to choose your spirits with intent, because you’re not just mixing a drink.

You’re mixing magic.

Interested in learning more about the cocktail classes Shéa takes https://www.tammystastings.com/

Watch us on YouTube at https://youtu.be/EEMpGA3YZ7U

Follow the pod on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cliffhangersandcocktails/, check out our website at https://www.cliffhangersandcocktails.com/ and sign up for our newsletter!

Theme song: Chernoye Vedma by Ian Post

Don't forget to like, rate, review, subscribe, and share!

Thanks - the Caftan Coven

Classic Highball (Bourbon Energy: Protection spells, stability workings, honoring elders, or creating something meant to last.)

Ingredients:

• 2oz Bourbon
• 4 - 6 oz Ginger ale
• Ice

Directions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Add 2 ounces of bourbon (or other whiskey) over the ice.
3. Pour the chilled ginger ale into the glass.

Ginger Snap (Rum Energy: Abundance, love, success, joy, and emotional warmth.)

Replace the bourbon with rum!