Spec’sology Blog

It’s the New Year and time for a brand new you! Or something like that. If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably got a resolution to lose weight that’s already getting pushed to the back burner. But what if there was an easy way to trim down some of your calorie intake without sacrificing something you love…like sitting around enjoying things. We’re talking about low-calorie cocktails! These fire-spitters are low on calories and high on taste so you can happily raise a glass to tipping the scales in your favor! Checkout some of our favorite low-cal cocktails (and for

It’s the time of year where you want to warm up when the sun goes down, and there’s no better way to heat up your insides than with a toasty hot drink in your hands. Sure, beer and fire pits go hand in hand, but when it hurts to even hold the ice-cold can, you may want to rethink your approach to fireside imbibing. So, whether you’re sitting around the fire or just curled up on the couch, we’ve got a collection of 4 delicious hot cocktails to help you raise a glass to the lower temps! Maker’s Mark Chai

It’s that magical time of year when we get to take a look back at how the last twelve months went through the lens of what we liked best. And while lists of the top movies, music, and books are at the top of the list for lists, this is Spec’s and we’re all about the cocktails! Every year we post dozens of cocktail recipes for you to try at home, and every year you have your favorites. So, after having our highly advanced AI scrutinize your facial muscles to decipher your favorite recipes, we can mow present to you

We usually get Champagne for a celebration, and we usually want our celebrations to be perfect, right? The last thing you want is for your celebration to leave a bad taste in your guest’s mouth. And while you may have mastered the art of party planning from the music down to the napkins, we could all use a little help on picking the perfect Champagne! Our simple guide will help you choose the perfect bottle for any occasion, even if it’s just pizza on the couch! The Different Types of Champagne/Bubbly Champagne: If the bottle has Champagne (with a capital

Looking for the best holiday cocktails to impress the relatives? Well, lucky for you so were we, and that’s why we’ve got such a great list for you! Because everyone is different, we’ve narrowed it down to four cocktails that we think express the best flavors of the season. It’s the easiest way to have your family wowed and proud without becoming a doctor. North Pole Eggnog Ingredients 1 oz. Amaretto 1 oz. vodka 2 oz. store bought eggnog pinch of nutmeg pinch of cinnamon caramel sauce for rimming the glass Directions Rim a cocktail glass with caramel sauce. Shake

Nothing says Christmas in Texas like margaritas! Texans know there’s no such thing as tequila season and see no reason to relegate their cactus juice to the warmer months. Tequila is such a unique flavor that goes surprisingly well with seasonal holiday ingredients. Checkout our list of festive fermentations and cowboy up to a Texas Christmas! Smokey Santa Rita Ingredients 1 serrano chile 3 oz. fresh lime juice, plus wheels for rims and for serving 1 tsp. flaky sea salt 1 tsp. sumac (optional) 2 tsp. superfine sugar 2 tbsp. packed fresh mint leaves, plus sprigs for serving 6 oz.

It’s a fact, nothing is more polarizing during the holidays than eggnog. Hate it or love it, you just can’t rise above it. Eggnog has been a part of our world for nearly a millennium thanks to some humans who got together and decided that guzzling a spiced and spiked egg-yolk-and-milk mixture was a good idea. And, seeing as you’re reading a nog blog nearly 1,000 years later, apparently, it was. Those who stand by the glory of eggnog often tell those who’d rather not partake in some nog to the noggin that they just haven’t had the real thing

When you think winter, you tend to think of cozying up by a fire, enjoying seasonal dishes, and big bold wines. And while many of us equate “big bold wines” with reds, that’s not always the case. A good winter wine has a warming quality to it that pairs wonderfully with cold weather, and they aren’t all reds. We’ve put together some of our top cold weather bottles, both red and white, that may not be on your winter wine list, but definitely should be. Zinfandel With its big, spicy, and jammy flavors, Zinfandel stands up to hearty, warming foods,

Pairing wine with Thanksgiving turkey doesn’t have to be a stress-inducing struggle every year. Instead of trying to find the perfect wine for a large bird with a variety of flavors, we suggest you curate a selection that can be applied to specific parts or enjoyed with the entire meal. For a nice balance to your selections aim for lighter reds and heavier whites. But the best suggestion for wine pairings is to choose something you enjoy! Checkout our top 5 turkey and wine pairings and get ready to be thankful! Sparkling A light sparkling white is an excellent way

Thanksgiving is all about overindulging. And while you’ve got dinner pairings planned, you may not have thought about having a couple of casual cocktails on hand for before, after, or even during the meal. Not everyone wants to drink wine or beer all day, so having some refreshing seasonal cocktails to offer will definitely make you the host with the most…or if you’re looking to be the guest with the best, consider rolling up with the fixings needed for one of these delicious drinks. Cherry Sage Smash Ingredients 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon 4 brandied cherries ½ oz. of cherry

The perfect Thanksgiving is also the perfect gameday. You’ve already got friends and family gathered together, amazing food, and plenty of beverages for all! But if your game starts before you eat, you might want to have some easy snacks and cocktails on hand to keep everyone happy until dinner. Checkout some of our favorite recipes for easy sips and snacks. Drinks Old Fashioned Cowboy Ingredients 2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon 2 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters 1 teaspoon raw cane sugar Orange peel Directions Dissolve or muddle sugar with bitters and a splash of Maker’s in an Old Fashioned glass.

Not all alcohol belongs in a glass. These boozy desserts are the perfect way to wrap up your Thanksgiving dinner! Spec’s Maple Pecan Pie made with Crown Royal Whisky The directions for this delicious pie come with a couple of options: you can drive to your neighborhood Spec’s and buy it in person, you can order online and choose in-store or curbside pick-up, or you can order online and have it delivered! Then you simply dispose of the packaging, sprinkle a little flour around the kitchen, and claim it as your own creation! No matter how you present it, this