Spec’sology Blog

How do you make happy hour even better? Simple, you just turn your glass of wine into a cocktail! It’s easier than it sounds and requires zero mystical powers (a plus for us muggles). We’ll be focusing on Italian wine cocktails, but feel free to do some experimenting based on the recipes below! Lambrusco Sangria Ingredients 1 ounce brandy 1 ounce Tuscan Sangiovese wine ¾ ounce blood orange juice ½ ounce Cherry Heering ¼ ounce Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao ¼ ounce lime juice Lambrusco, to top Blood orange slice, for garnish Directions In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine

Prosecco is one of the most famous and appreciated Italian wines in the world due to its great pleasantness and versatility. If you don’t know much about Prosecco, you will after this article! Prosecco's Bubbly History Prosecco is made from a blend of grapes that must be at least 85% glera, with the rest being local and international varieties including verdiso, bianchetta trevigiana, perera, chardonnay, pinot bianco, pinot grigio and pinot noir. The Glera grape is thought to be of Slovenian origin and was probably cultivated in the vineyards of the Italian village of “Prosecco” in Trieste which shares a

There’s just something about the taste of a tropical rum cocktail that can instantly transport you to a palm tree-lined beach. The steel drums fade in as the surf tickles your toes and the fresh saltwater air dances under your nose. No matter where you’re sitting, all it takes is one sip of paradise in a glass to have you longing for some serious R&R. So, in lieu of sunburns and jellyfish, we’ve put together a few of our favorite, lesser known, tropical rum cocktails that’ll have your sea legs running back for refills! 🏴‍☠️ Pirate Punch Sweet, fruity, big

An ice-cold hard seltzer by the pool is pretty much the perfect day, but with so many options out there you could get a little heated just trying to decide how to keep cool! Thankfully, you know a guy who knows the guys that make the stuff…we’re that first guy. So, without any further ado, Spec’s presents the best new seltzers of summer 2022! Spritz Society Spritz Society takes real, recognizable ingredients and packs them into convenient sparkling cocktails you can take anywhere. They use natural fruit flavors, real wine, and 7 or less ingredients in every can for fresh

When it’s this hot out the only thing sweating should be your ice-cold beverage. And that’ll definitely be the case when you’re celebrating National Tequila Day with one of our highly recommended slushes in hand! Whether you’re lounging by the pool, grilling at a cookout, or just unwinding after a long hot day, these delicious frozen tequila cocktails are surprisingly easy to make with just a blender, some ice and a handful of ingredients. If slushes aren't your thing, be sure to check out our take on the best sipping tequilas for those that like to keep it simple. For

The summer’s hottest sipper is a refreshingly delightful twist on the vintage Shirley Temple - introducing the Dirty Shirley! The Shirley Temple may have been invented in the 1930s by a bartender at Chasen's, a restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, to serve then-child actress Shirley Temple. Of course, there are other claims to its origin, but we like that one best. The Shirley Temple has been a favorite drink order for kids since the 1930s, but in the hands of crafty adults, it’s being made “dirty” and wildly popular. Made with grenadine and lemon-lime soda, it has the same fruity

July is blender season at Spec’s! Nothing makes hosting easier than simply dumping ingredients into a blender and then pouring out cups of delicious sunshine to eager guests. And there isn’t an easier go-to cocktail than the classic daiquiri. Made with only 3 ingredients: rum, sugar, and lime; the daiquiri is the perfect drink to hone your bartending skills. With a few simple additions, you’ll be slinging top-shelf tropical delight in no time! Check out some of our favorite daiquiri twists recipes and get ready to kick your feet up! Honeydew Daiquiri Ingredients 3 oz. Rum 1 oz. Melon Liqueur

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Chardonnay, a green-skinned grape varietal with origins in France's Burgundy region, is one of the world's most popular and adaptable white wines. Thriving in diverse climates—from California to Australia—Chardonnay produces a wide range of flavors, from crisp and citrusy to rich and buttery. This versatility, shaped by both terroir and winemaking techniques, has earned it a devoted following around the globe. On the blog today, we’re highlighting a curated selection of quality Chardonnay bottles from Spec’s—all under $30—that deliver exceptional taste without breaking the bank. The Best Chardonnays Under $30 For those seeking quality Chardonnays

Everybody loves serving up a signature cocktail at a Fourth of July party, but absolutely nobody wants to be stuck behind the bar working up a sweat shaking cocktails all night. The solution? Big batch cocktails! Hosting a stress-free party starts by whipping up big-batch cocktails in advance and then simply leaving a pitcher or punch bowl out for guests to use at their (and your) convenience. Checkout some of our favorite big batch cocktail recipes and don’t miss a minute of the fun! (Red) Spiked Strawberry Lemonade Ingredients 1 pint strawberries, trimmed and halved (357 grams) 24 oz. water,

June is National Camping Month! (we can only assume this was created in some northern state where it’s a high of 80 in June!) Camping is a great way to get out and see America the beautiful in all its glory. Gathering around a campfire with your favorite pals can be the perfect vacation from the everyday hustle and bustle of modern life. Some of us here at Spec’s are avid outdoor enthusiasts while others prefer a shower and a tv; so, for this collection of campfire cocktails we’ve relied on our campers to present you with tried and true

The martini is a timeless classic. It never falls out of fashion as it is fashion. And there’s never a shortage of Bond films to remind us of its cool factor as well as to pique the interest of younger generations. Numerous theories on the cocktail’s origins exist, as do numerous versions and recipes. From gin or vodka to fruity or savory, the martini is a jack of all trades. Although, attaching “tini” to the end of a cocktail usually just means it’s served in a v-shaped glass, often called a martini glass, and has almost nothing to do with

Ever been equal parts hungry and lazy? So much so that you just end up stuffing some meat and cheese in your face and moving on? Whether you knew it or not, you just dined on a charcuterie plate. Albeit a less fancy one than you’ll find in local restaurants, but we’re about to change all that! First things first, it’s pronounced shar-cute-uh-ree. You’re welcome. What Is Charcuterie? The word charcuterie comes from the French and literally means cooked cold meats. A charcuterie board consists of cured meats and pâtés paired with cheeses, seasonal fruits, flavorful jams, something pickled, a