Spec’sology Blog

With the NFL’s expansion of the playoffs for the 2021 postseason, there will now be seven teams from each conference taking the field during the month of January. So, you’ll get even more football than usual and that means you’ll need more ways to keep your mouth entertained (besides yelling at the TV). While beer might be the go-to for gathering around the TV and pairing with snacks, a cocktail can be a great thing to sip on while you spend almost all of January glued to the tube. Whether you’re looking for shots, sippers, or beer cocktails to pair

It’s January so you’ve probably finished reading all the 2020 recaps and are beyond ready to move on and leave those 365 days as far behind as possible! We feel you. So, what’s new for beverages in the year 2021 you ask? Well, settle on down and get ready to have your happy hour future read by the experts. 2021 will see the continued rise of hard seltzers as more and more brands get in on the action with new and unique offerings. Online wine education courses skyrocketed during quarantine leading consumers to begin looking for diversity in their wines,

Every year we offer up dozens and dozens of cocktails for you to try and 2020 was no different. Seeing as how 2020 was the year of stay-at-home cocktails, we decided to showcase the top four most popular drinks of the year. So, grab a glass and enjoy of our year-end cocktail roundup! Mango Sunrise Piña Colada With a tropical twist on an already tropical cocktail, our blissful Mango Sunrise Piña Colada was a summertime standout. It’s like taking a vacation in the middle of a vacation! Ingredients: 2 oz. Koloa Coconut Rum 2 oz. mango juice 2 oz. pineapple

Some of our top gifts to give your friends and loved ones for the holiday season! Homemade Maple Pecan Pie made with Crown Royal It’s everything you love about pie with a subtle kick of everything you love about bourbon. The infusion of Crown Royal Maple Bourbon highlights the seasonal flavors in every slice of sticky sweet perfection! But you’ll want to hurry in and get yours soon as they’re only available for a limited time! Fat Ice Cocktail Spheres Super premium, crystal clear ice. Best for slowly watering down barrel proof and high proof whiskey or cask strength scotch.

A Word From Our Wine Expert… Many major reviewers have been releasing their “Best Of” and “Top” wines of the year lists over the past month. Fun as they may be to obsess over and reference, those lists are obviously subjective. While I have never been disappointed in a wine I’ve bought from one of these lists, there have been plenty of instances where I have vehemently disagreed with the rankings. Below is my own list of noteworthy Riojas. I tasted a lot of Riojas in 2020, but the below bottles left the greatest impressions on me this year: 1.)

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 wow your family 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 the eggnog, amaretto

Besides the fact that shopping local is more important than ever this holiday season; Texas makes some really good wines! So, whether you’re gifting or treating yourself, we’ve put together 5 Texas wines that will go wonderfully with your seasonal dishes and help to support a local business. But first, some Texas wine history! History of Texas Wine When you think of wine production in the U.S. people tend to think of California as the original region, but Texas is one of the oldest wine growing states in the US with vines planted here more than a hundred years before

We’ve found that the best way to enjoy some of our favorite holiday movies is with a perfectly paired beverage! From old favorites to new classics, we hope you find a film to enjoy…and if not, these drinks are delicious no matter how you enjoy them! National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation A story of a man whose one wish for the holidays is to have the perfect Christmas. His efforts spiral into the hilarious as countless obstacles line up to impede his dream including electrical issues, feral woodland creatures, redneck relatives, and a grinchy employer. Fiery Fuzzball Cocktail Ingredients 1 oz.

With a myriad of dishes served during the holidays, there is no better accompaniment to a meal – or finer gift to give – than an exquisite wine from Rioja. These vibrant wines offer unmatched versatility. Excellent conditions for vine cultivation allow for a multitude of wine styles – this variation rivals almost any other top region in the world. Rioja wines are standouts due to a diversity of climate, landscape, soil type and grape varieties. Rioja Sub-Zones Rioja has three distinct sub-zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental. Wines are often a blend of grapes from multiple zones,

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 an hour or so devouring plate after plate of Thanksgiving dinner, there’s no physiological reason you should have room

There’s just something about autumn that makes you want to throw on a chunky sweater and sit out by the fire pit with a seasonal cocktail in hand. Maybe it’s the cooler temps or maybe it’s our inner caveman drawn like a moth to the flames but sitting outside by a fire (without sweating) is kind of the perfect experience. To help get you out there we’ve collected four of our favorite fall cocktails. Campfire Margarita Ingredients: 2 oz. Código Reposado Tequila ½ oz. Spec’s Agave Nectar 1 ¼ oz. Langers Ruby Red Grapefruit ¼ oz. lime juice 2 rosemary

Thanksgiving is almost here and that means the holiday stress is just starting to peak. We’re going to take care of that with some wine pairing tips you and your guests will be grateful for! Here are a few ways to go about this: One White, One Red A good and simple strategy for Thanksgiving wine is to select a very good white and a very good red, offering your guests their choice. For reds, look for soft tannins that will yield to and blend with your dishes, like Pinot Noir, Syrah, a Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Beaujolais Nouveau or a