Spec’sology Blog

Before we get started, the most important thing to remember for any pairing situation is to go with what you like. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says, if you enjoy it go for it! That being said, we’ve put together some general guidelines you’re totally free to ignore. If you don’t know much about cheese or wine, just remember to pair by flavor intensity - and keep in mind that age and intensity are directly related. Young fresh cheeses have a high water content and a milky and delicate texture. As the cheese ages, the moisture slowly evaporates leaving

If you’re not properly prepared, the perfect beach trip is, well, it’s no day at the beach. Not to worry though, Spec’s is here to help you get the most out of the coast with these simple tips and convenient recipes! Beach Prep Tips No matter what you’re drinking, you don’t want sand in it. So, bring cupcake liners and place them over the top of your drinks. If you’re using a larger sized cup, aluminum foil makes a quick lid you can punch a straw through, and its reflective surface helps keep your drink cool. If you’re bringing kiddos,

It’s hot. This is Texas; it’s going to get hotter. But that’s no excuse to stay inside hiding from the beautiful outdoors! Especially when you can combine two summer favorites into one deliciously ice-cold concoction - boozesicles. You can buy boozesicles at Spec’s, of course, but if you want to get creative and make your own, we’ve got some awesome recipes that’ll have you fighting off brain-freeze all summer long. Peach Bourbon Lemonade Pops Ingredients 2 cups lemonade1 cup peach puree2 oz. bourbon Directions In a blender mix all ingredients until smoothPour into popsicle molds and let freeze overnight. Tropical

When it comes to summer cocktails by the pool, convenience is king. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice taste, especially with these hard seltzer cocktails! Ready to drink hard sparkling beverages are a quick and easy way to add some carbonation and a variety of flavors to any cocktail without having to drag your entire bar down by the pool. The best thing about hard seltzer is you can simply replace club soda in a recipe with it and have a delightful new cocktail. Check out some of our cocktail favorites and remember to drink responsibly as you

Chardonnay is the number one white wine in the world. There are several reasons for this including the fact that the Chardonnay is a relatively low-maintenance vine that adapts to a wide variety of climates which results in high yields around the world. So, you can choose from the millions of bottles produced annually and get good one for $15 while also spending ten times as much for an elegant one. It’s the 5th most planted grape varietal in the world with over 30 different clones of Chardonnay producing wine. What Makes Chardonnay? Chardonnay the varietal is the result of

Nothing says summer like having a refreshing cocktail in hand while enjoying the great outdoors. And while we have nothing but praise for beer and the more flavor-forward spirits like gin, whiskey and tequila; vodka’s neutral flavor profile makes it the perfect base for a refreshing cocktail. So, if you’re looking for new ways to keep your summer fresh, we’ve put together some great vodka cocktails you can whip up anywhere! Great Gatsby Ingredients 1 oz. vodka1 oz. Lillet Blanc2 1/2 oz. freshly squeezed grapefruit juicegarnish: orange slice Directions Fill mixing glass halfway with ice. Add vodka, Lillet Blanc, and

Whether you’ve got 5 bottles or 5 cases, knowing some wine storage basics will help keep your wines in good health during the hot summer months. Assuming you don’t have a personal wine cellar under your home, there are some easy tips to keep your wine fresh until you’re ready to indulge. First of all, we’re not talking about long-term wine storage as only a small percentage of fine wines on the market benefit from long-term aging. We’re more interested in keeping them drinkable for a few months at most. Let’s be honest, if you’re buying wine to keep as

There’s nothing better than hot summer days and long summer nights, especially when you have the perfect summer beer keeping you refreshed while you sweat from dawn to dark! You could spend precious time searching for a new summer favorite, but we went ahead and put together a list of ours to ensure you don’t have to miss a moment of summer fun! Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA Low-carb beer can be satisfying too! This refreshing 4%’er offers the aromatics of your favorite IPA wrapped up in a 95-calorie package with only 3.6 grams of carbs. Sixpoint Brewery Citrus Jammer

Why should kids have all the fun? We certainly don’t grow out of enjoying milkshakes! Popsicles have gotten the adult treatment and milkshakes are right there with them, and they’re the perfect summer sipper! Cold, delicious, and boozy - what’s not to love? Check out some of our favorite boozy milkshakes and get that porch ready for a good old-fashioned sit & sip! Cake & Ice Cream Ingredients 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream1/2 cup milk1/2 cup crushed ice3 oz. cake-flavored vodka1 tbsp. white sugar Directions Blend all ingredients together in a blender until smooth.Serve in a mason jar and

Hooray, National Rosé Day! National Rosé Day is on June 13th this year and June is the perfect time to sip and celebrate this refreshing wine. Some facts about rosé: The pink shade of rosé wine depends on the amount of time the grape skins were in contact with the juice, also known as maceration. Rosé may be the oldest known type of wine, believed to have been created around 7000 BC with red and white wines coming a few thousand years later.Rosé is best consumed within 2-3 years of its release and not meant to be aged.Unlike Blush wines

There’s not much better than a cold glass of iced tea on a hot summer day, unless, of course you have hard tea on hand! On June 13th we celebrate National Iced Tea Day. Though you may be inclined to celebrate more traditional iced teas, like sweetened and unsweetened, make sure you don’t overlook the equally refreshing hard iced tea at your summer soirée. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy beverage you can whip up in seconds or something with a little more pizzazz, we’ve got you covered! Check out these iced tea cocktail recipes you can make

Throughout June, people all over the globe will be celebrating World Pride Month in honor of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. With the rainbow flag being one of the symbols of Pride, we’re supporting the LGBTQ community with a collection of colorful cocktails you can make at home to celebrate Pride! The Cheever Ingredients 1 oz. vodka½ oz. cream½ oz. cream of coconut½ oz. blue curaçao3 oz. pineapple juice Directions Pour pineapple juice, vodka, cream and cream of coconut with ice into a blender and blend.Strain into a large glass with ice cubes.Float the blue curacao on