National Chip and Dip Day

National Chip and Dip Day

National Chip and Dip Day is officially observed on March 23, but if you’re like us, every day is national chip and dip day. We just call it chips and salsa, a true Texas staple! From tailgating to a day at the lake, dips like salsa, guacamole, queso, and hundreds more make awesome snacks. They’re easy to make and don’t require a lot of prep. Just grab a bag of chips and dig in! Nowadays, you’ll find all kinds of chips available at your local Spec’s from traditional tortilla chips, pot... Read More
Texas-Owned Liquors

The Spirits of Texas

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and nowadays that goes for liquor too! Texas has become a hotspot for up and coming spirits as well as the base of operations for several established Texas-owned brands. We’ll be taking a look at some of these and introducing you to a few new ones you may not have heard of yet. Tito’s Handmade Vodka First up is Tito’s Handmade Vodka. If you haven’t heard of Tito’s, you must have just gotten here so, Welcome to Texas! Tito’s Handmade Vodka i... Read More
St. Patrick's Day Drinks

St. Patrick’s Day Party Drinks

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
The pubs will be packed and the green beer will flow once again. It’s March 17, that one day of the year when ‘everyone’s Irish’—St. Patrick’s Day! But why contend with crowded elbow-to-elbow pubs when you can host a stellar St. Paddy’s Day party in the comfort of your own home? Everyone knows that Irish beer and whisky are staples on March 17th. Here’s a few of our recommendations: Must-Try’ Irish Beers: Murphy’s Irish Stout, O’Hara’s Irish Wheat, O’Hara’s Celtic Sto... Read More
March Madness party pitchers

Pitcher Cocktail Recipes for your March Madness party

March Madness is upon us! Once again, NCAA sports history will be forged before our very eyes, with glorious buzzer-beating points that can either score a winning victory— or spell a heart wrenching loss. We’ll all cheer on our teams from living rooms with our friends. Because let’s face it, whether your team wins— or loses, it’s always more fun sharing the experience with pals. So why not make an event of it and throw a March Madness party? Victory tastes so much sweeter when you wash... Read More

Specsology Presents: The Slam Dunk

Take the party into overtime with this crowd pleaser! This delicious cocktail is the perfect teammate for all your watch party guests! The Slam Dunk Ingredients: 2 oz Orange Juice 1 oz Southern Comfort 1 oz Cranberry Juice Directions: Add ingredients to a glass with ice, stir, garnish with an orange to enjoy!  
SXSW Facts

10 Fun Facts about SXSW

Spec’sology Blog, Events
If you love a good celebration like we do here at Spec’s—then you’re no stranger to SXSW Austin! Even if you’ve never attended SXSW yourself, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the cultural phenomenon. Every year, in mid March, SXSW Austin is a showcase of film, music, and interactive media. It captivates local audiences, and brings in thousands of tourists and partygoers, along with pioneers of the tech and entertainment industries. Sure, sure. You’ve heard this all before! But... Read More
Bloody Mary Variations

Unique Bloody Mary Recipes

The Bloody Mary is our favorite way to get your daily serving of veggies. This savory concoction got its start in 1921 from a Paris bartender named Fernand Petiot. Petiot basically improvised the drink on the fly using only vodka and tomato juice. Today though—a standard ‘Mary combines a plethora of other ingredients; such as spices, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, piri piri, garlic and herb, beef consommé, horseradish, the list goes on! It’s no wonder why a Bloody Mary is one of the mos... Read More
Cigar Pairing for New Aficionados

Cigar and Beverage Pairing Basics for the Beginner Cigar Aficionado

Ahh—the pleasure of a cigar! Few things are as relaxing as the soft smoke of fine, hand-rolled tobacco passing through your lips. But what is a cigar to a distinguished person of leisure such as you—without the appropriate beverage to pair with it?  What works well? Many classic cigar pairings work well with cognac, single malt whisky, bourbon, rum, rye, and port. But today, the art of perfect cigar pairing has evolved to include a larger variety of beverages, like coffee, wine, and beer. B... Read More
Louis XIII #IfWeCare

#IfWeCare

LOUIS XIII and Pharrell’s partnership On November 13th, 2017, LOUIS XIII Cognac premiered “100 Years”, a song we’ll hear in a century, but only #IfWeCare about the planet. “100 Years” is a first-of-its-kind musical composition created by Pharrell Williams and not set to be publicly released until the year 2117. LOUIS XIII and Pharrell’s partnership is the result of a mutual dedication to the environment and an appreciation for its fragility. This artisti... Read More
Movie Cocktails

Celebrate Oscar Night with Movie Themed Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
Roll out the red carpet! Hollywood’s biggest night is almost here. In honor of the 2018 Oscars, we have some very classy, (and creative) cocktails inspired by a few of the top nominated films. They’re perfect for sipping in style with your friends, while you watch your favorite stars make their celebratory speeches this Oscar Sunday. Lady Bird Cocktail Taking parts from the Jungle Bird cocktail, and the White Lady, this vibrant cocktail should be nominated for “Best in Taste”. Yum! Ingre... Read More

March 2018 Connoisseur

TRIG POINT CHARDONNAY Before they handcrafted this Chardonnay, the winemakers at Trig Point filled their passports producing great wines all across the globe. Their cultured expertise really shines through in every sip of this cheery Chardonnay. Bright and zippy with peach skin aromas and flavors. One of the best times to drink this wine is right now! Helpful Highlights Origin California Region Sonoma County Aroma Peach skin and crisp citrus Taste Grapefuit, lemon and peach ABV 13.5% ‘RUDY’ ... Read More

March 2018 Enthusiast

CHATEAU MARTINON ENTRE-DEUX-MERS A white Bordeaux with palpable crispness and aromas surprisingly similar to a Chardonnay. Straw in color with good legs. Vibrant and fruity but not overwhelmingly sauvignon on account of the Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris. With refreshing and balanced acidity, you’ll find this Bordeaux as easy to get along with as an old friend.Helpful Highlights Origin France Region Entre-Deux-Mers Grapes 55% Sémillon with 25% Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Gris Arom... Read More