ShRee Gossen

It’s the most seasonal time of the year! That’s right, the winter holidays are here and with them come the Christmas beers. Now, I know what you’re thinking but a Christmas beer doesn’t need to be spicy or strong, dark or sweet; it only needs to be special to you and shared in the spirit of the holiday with loved ones.The tradition of brewing special beers for this time of year draws on a number of deeper traditions. For example, the Scandinavian countries have, perhaps, the strongest cl... Read More

Every year on December 20th, National Sangria Day is observed by holiday going folks who need a break from all the festivities. So, gather your ingredients and get your friends and family together, because tis the season to celebrate and we’ve got a collection of sangria recipes for you to try!

Christmas Sangria
Ingredients

Large bottle of Pinot Grigio
1 cup Club soda
1 cup Cran-apple juice
2 Green apples chopped
1 Red apple chopped
2 cups Fresh cranberries
¼ cup Sugar
Fresh... Read More

Besides family and celebrations, there is another thing that can bring everyone together and put you all in a jolly and festive mood – cocktails! More specifically, Christmas cocktails.

We’ve put together a list of our favorites and added some new ones for 2018. All you have to do is take a deep breath and open up the bar.

1. Spiced Rum Punch with Citrus and Luxardo
Ingredients

1 cup High-proof rum
1 cup Spiced rum
⅓ cup Luxardo maraschino liqueur
2 teaspoons Peychaud�... Read More

You have to make a list before you can check it twice! Thankfully, we’ve put together a list of ten gifts that’ll have your recipients praising your glorious gift for gifting. All you have to do is check it twice.

Fat Ice Whiskey Cube 6 pack
These 1.8 x 1.8 x 1.8” crystal clear cubes of artisanal ice are perfect for slowly watering down their favorite whiskey or artistically chilling craft cocktails.

Spec’s Stainless-Steel Tumbler
The ultimate solution for taking hot or cold drin... Read More

To keep your spirits bright and the good cheer in sight we’ve put together a list of holiday wine that’s sure to shine on Santa’s Wish List Day! Explore our top ten wines that will keep you on the good list this year.

1. Let’s Celebrate Moscato
As the name implies, this Moscato is the life of any occasion. Featuring a balanced sweetness that’s rounded out with flavors of ripe peach and fresh apricot for a combination of crispness and fruitiness that will please every palate.

2. ... Read More

Celebrities like their fame, why else would they have so many award shows? But it doesn’t stop there. You’ll find everything from furniture to make-up with a famous name on the package.

When it comes to finding a star in your local bar (we’re talking bar shelf not barstool), we have the best celebrity spirits to choose from. There are quite a few fermentations of fame out there and it’s hard to know which ones are hype and which ones hold up. That’s why we’ve put together our list... Read More

French toast, a favorite across America, has many names throughout the world – eggy bread, German toast, poor knight’s pudding, Bombay toast, and the French call it pain perdue which literally translates to “lost bread” as it was often made with stale or old bread.

But you didn’t think this was just going to be a French toast blog, did you? This is Spec’s! So of course, we have a collection of spirited French toast recipes to take your brunch game to the next level on French Toast... Read More

When someone opens their home to you and plans and prepares a Thanksgiving Day feast, it’s always appropriate to show your gratitude by bringing something your host or hostess will appreciate. The time of year lends itself to celebration through giving.

To help with any gift-giving anxiety you may be experiencing, we’ve put together a handful of gift items that are perfect for a host who loves to plan dinner parties.
Spec’s Homemade Crown Royal Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie
After spending a... Read More

Thanksgiving cocktails are just as important as the food itself. Instead of showing off your wine-corking skills, shake up a batch of drinks that will surely impress your guests.

Here are the top 6 cocktails (and a digestif!) to imbibe before, during, and after the family feast.
1. Bourbon Apple Cider Sour
The tartness of this cocktail will awaken your palate and fire-up your taste buds for the coming feast.
Ingredients

1½ bourbon
1 oz. apple cider
1 oz. lemon juice
1 egg wh... Read More

November 12th is National Happy Hour Day!

The term took on a different meaning during prohibition, 1920 to 1933, where “Happy Hour” became a euphemism for people meeting to drink secretly before having dinner at a public restaurant, where the sale and consumption of alcohol was illegal. Think of it as the early predecessor to “pre-gaming.”

From sailors to sinners – the history of “Happy Hour” is almost as interesting as actually going to happy hour!

Now that you know a bri... Read More