A warm welcome from The Island Spirit Kitchen!
Whether you’re here to sip, sauté, or explore the delicious side of island living, this page has the answers you need—from recipe tips to subscription info and more.
General Prep & Cooking
Q: How many people do your recipes serve?
A: Most of my recipes serve about 4 people, perfect for a family dinner or leftovers for the next day. Party-style recipes may serve more, and smaller desserts or snacks may serve 2. Cocktail recipes are often measured for a single person, but look for the Servings note in each recipe.
Q: Can I scale your recipes up or down?
A: Absolutely. Most can be doubled or halved with ease. Sauces and marinades often don’t need to be doubled exactly—just enough to coat. I include scaling tips in many posts to help you feel confident in the kitchen.
Q: Do I need special ingredients?
A: Nope! Most ingredients can be found at your local grocery store. I sometimes share where to shop smart (like Amazon, Ross or Target) and offer substitutions when possible. You’ll also find plenty of inspiration from local Hawaiian flavors.
Q: Do I need to prep ahead of time?
A: Only if it helps you! I often include make-ahead tips in the Culinary Tips section, but every recipe works just fine when made fresh.
Q: Do I have to use rum in every recipe?
A: No, but it’s a fun twist! Think of rum like a spice—it enhances flavor without overpowering. I try to offer suggestions in my recipes on how to reduce the alcohol or swap it if needed.
Q: Is the alcohol cooked off?
A: In many savory dishes, YES. But some sauces and desserts retain a little more. I sometimes include notes if you’re cooking for kids or prefer a more subtle touch.
Specific Ingredients & Dietary Info
Q: Do you have vegetarian or gluten-free recipes?
A: Yes, I do and more will coming out in the future! While not every post is labeled that way, I often provide substitution options and lighter alternatives to fit different lifestyles as the recipe allows.
Q: I’m watching my sugar intake—do you offer low-sugar recipes?
A: Yes! Paid subscribers get access to my Low-Sugar Rum Series where I share recipes and tips on how to use rum in a more health-conscious way. These recipes focus on flavor without the sugar spike, perfect for mindful eating with a tropical flair.
Billing & Subscriptions
Q: What do I get as a Free Subscriber?
A: You’ll receive one Free recipe on the 1st of the month—sent straight to your inbox with no Ads or Spam . See our Subscription Benefits page to learn more.
Q: What do I get as a Paid Subscriber?
A: Paid subscribers ($7/month or $70/year) receive:
2 exclusive rum-infused recipes monthly via the Substack App and Email.
Access to the full archive of rum-infused recipes
Full access to the “Low-Sugar Rum Series” and “Markets and Mixers”
Bonus content, prep tips, culinary guides, and sneak peeks
The satisfaction of supporting a small creator (me!) and helping fund future recipe development!
Q: Can I preview content before subscribing?
A: Of course! Browse my free archive for recipe sneak peeks and tropical inspiration. When you are ready you may sign up as a FREE or PAID Subscriber and begin receiving the benefits of recipes sent directly to your Email .. (one or two) each month.
Q: How do I upgrade from being a free subscriber to a paid subscriber?
A: Learn how to Upgrade your Subscription.
Q: Need help with billing?
A: Find many answers to common billing questions on Substack.
Q: Need help with a refund?
A: Learn about how to get a refund here. If you are still having trouble contact us at: support@theislandspiritkitchen.com and we will do our best to help you.
Q: I subscribed to your Substack publication, but am not receiving any emails. What can I do?
A: My recommendation is to check your Spam or Junk folder first and if its not there, go to Substack Support where you will find lots of helpful information on how to trouble shoot this issue. Remember.. FREE subscribers will receive their recipe on the 1st of each month. Paid Subscribers receive two additional recipes on the 1st and 15th of each month.
Q: How do I cancel my paid subscription on Substack?
A: Visit Substack Support for directions on how to un-subscribe.
Q: Do you offer any discounts?
A: Yes! I occasionally offer special subscription rates. If you’re in the military or a veteran or eligible for support programs like SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, SSI, or TANF, you may be eligible for 50% off a paid subscription. I invite you to email support@theislandspiritkitchen.com and share a photo or PDF of your eligibility letter or card—anything that shows your name and a recent issue date (within the past year). My goal is to make this content accessible to everyone who wants a little island spirit in their kitchen.
And if you're just getting started, you can also redeem a 7-Day FREE Trial to explore the full experience before subscribing!
Access, Downloads & Contact
Q: Do you post videos?
A: Not yet—but maybe in the future! Paid subscriptions help make this possible and support the time, tools, and tech needed to share more multimedia content.
Q: How do I contact a writer on Substack?
A: Click here to get steps to contacting a writer thru Substack or you may contact me directly at: support@theislandspiritkitchen.com
Q: How does Following work on Substack?
A: Learn about the benefits of Following on Substack
Mahalo nui loa for cooking with me and being part of The Island Spirit Kitchen!
Let’s keep the flavor flowing.
Nicole