ShRee Gossen

Today is National Chocolate Day! Say no more. You won’t have to try very hard to convince us to celebrate this special day.  Instead of your standard candy bar, celebrate this special day with one of these sweet and chocolate-y cocktails!   Chocolate Martini: 2 oz vodka 1 oz coffee liqueur 1 oz walnut liqueur 1 oz chocolate liqueur 1 tbsp finely grated bittersweet chocolate for garnish. Combine vodka and liqueurs in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well and pour into two glasses over... Read More

Ingredients 1 1/2 oz gold rum 1 tsp light brown sugar 1/4 tsp minced lemon rind 3 pinches of cinnamon Pinch of ground cloves Pinch of nutmeg Boiling water to top off 1 tsp unsalted butter Preparation In a warm glass mug, add Continue reading Hot Buttered Rum

Cold nights are becoming more frequent and our warmer days are behind us. If you’re like us, your go-to drinks are changing along with the winter weather. To battle the cold fronts, we’ve put together a list of great wine choices that will keep you feeling warm as the temperature drops. Ruby Style Port: This rich and full-bodied wine is higher in alcohol content and is sure to warm you up. With intense berry fruit flavors and a touch of spice with warming notes, it is perfect for a chilly ni... Read More

Sangria isn’t just for the summertime. In Spain, this classic cocktail is enjoyed year-round, especially today — National Sangria Day! Not to mention, Sangria’s ruby red color and fresh, fruity taste makes it perfect to serve at any holiday party. Spec’s carries a variety of savory Sangrias, or you can customize your own recipe! What is Sangria? It is a refreshing and sweet variation of wine that combines it with chopped fruit, sweeteners and a small amount of brandy. Nearly 2,000 ye... Read More

Ingredients 2 oz bourbon 3 drops Angostura bitters Sugar cube Orange slice Maraschino cherry Splash of club soda Preparation Place sugar cube in a glass and add bitters. Muddle Continue reading Warm Old Fashioned

Ingredients 6 oz bourbon 1/4 cup cocoa powder 3/4 cup sugar 3 1/2 cups milk Pinch of salt Whipped cream for garnish Cinnamon for garnish Preparation In a small saucepan combine Continue reading Hot Cocoa and Whiskey

One of our favorite things about this time of year is that it is the peak of pomegranate season. This rich, sweet fruit is only available a few months out of the year, so we’ve decided to mix things up and see how many different ways we could incorporate the popular holiday fruit into some of your favorite classics. Pomegranate Margarita: 2 oz tequila ½ oz simple syrup 1 oz pomegranate juice Fresh pomegranate seeds Muddle about 10 fresh pomegranate seeds in the base of a cocktail shaker. Add ... Read More

Ingredients 2 oz Irish whiskey 4 oz hot coffee 1 1/2 oz cream 1 tsp brown sugar Preparation Pour the brown sugar then the coffee into a mug and stir until sugar dissolves. Add Continue reading Irish Coffee

It’s that time once again to highlight one of the countless things that makes Texas so great – its very own distilleries. This month, we’ll be taking a closer look at Railean Distillery in San Leon, TX – home of the original American rum. Founded by Kelly Railean along the shores of Galveston Bay, Railean Distillery produced the first handcrafted American rum to be certified as Made in the USA. They now actively produce 4 distinct rum types that have quickly gained popularity across ... Read More

As the days grow colder, ice cold beers and chilled wines aren’t the first drinks that come to mind when enjoying the crisp fall air. We’ve put together some of our favorite heated cocktails that are sure to hit the spot on those cooler nights. Hot Cocoa and Whiskey 6 oz whiskey ⅓ cup cocoa powder ¾ cup sugar 3 ½ cups milk Pinch of salt Whipped cream for garnish Cinnamon for garnish In a small saucepan combine milk, cocoa powder, sugar and salt over medium heat. Do not boil. Whisk unti... Read More

Ingredients 2 oz silver rum 2 oz eggnog 2 oz white chocolate liqueur Chocolate shavings for garnish Preparation Whisk the eggnog until it is frothy and pour into a glass Continue reading Eggnog Delight

December is here and that means we finally get to celebrate National Eggnog Month! But what makes this cold weather favorite so special, and why do we only enjoy it during the holiday season? We’re here to shed some light on December’s favorite libation. History of Eggnog A variation of eggnog dates back as early as the 14th century. Then it was a popular drink in England known as posset. While similar to eggnog, posset did not contain eggs and had a base of milk curds.  Over the years, eg... Read More