Spec’sology Blog

If you’re anything like us, when you think of Easter, you tend to think in pastels. So, when you’re crafting your Easter Brunch menu, of which Easter-themed beverages are surely a part, you’ll want to take a look at our collection of pastel colored cocktails to set the perfect mood. And, if you’re curious as to why pastel is tied to Easter, the following explanation will provide a deeper meaning to this seasonal décor. Why Pastels? Pastels of white, violet, pink, and green, along with are generally associated with particular aspects of Christian beliefs. According to the "Encyclopedia Britannica," the

Here we are in week 3 of Spec’s Sip & Stream pairing suggestions, and we’re still finding things to watch. It really is amazing how much entertainment is at our fingertips in this digital age of convenience! Anyway, let’s get to mixing up some deliciousness. Castle Rock • Hulu The Stephen King multiverse is the setting for this psychological horror series that takes place in Castle Rock, Maine, which is a location familiar to fans of King's work. An anonymous phone call lures death-row attorney Henry Deaver back to Castle Rock. He is unsettled by his hometown, but he returns

Just when you thought you’d exhausted all possibilities for entertainment and started considering wallpapering the ceiling as a good use of your time - Spec’s is here to help you raise a glass and sit on your…couch. In case you missed week 1, Spec’s will be serving up streaming content recommendations paired with a beverage that matches the entertainment’s theme. So, without further ado, let’s get into week 2’s picks! The Stranger • Netflix Based on Harlan Coben's novel of the same name, the series follows Adam Price, who seems to be living the perfect life - two great sons,

Soooo, here we are stuck at home wondering how to keep ourselves entertained. …running out of ideas already? Luckily for you we’ve put together beverage and boredom pairings to keep you entertained. We’re pairing the latest, trending shows and movies with themed drinks so you can get your social on without leaving the couch. Love is Blind • Netflix Love is Blind is the ultimate combination of social distancing meets the dating game. According to Netflix - “Nick and Vanessa Lachey host this social experiment where single men and women look for love and get engaged, all before meeting in

While coffee maybe America’s go to hot beverage, indulging in a cuppa (British slang for a cup of tea) now and then can be a delightful alternative…especially when you blend teatime with happy hour. That’s right, those little bags of herbs and spices make for a wonderful cocktail base and we’ve got a collection of our favorites for you to try. Pinkies, and bottoms, up! Matcha Lemonade Cocktail Ingredients 1 oz Vodka1 oz Lemonade3 oz Matcha teaCucumber garnish Directions Brew Matcha teaAdd ingredients and ice to shaker and shake until chilled.Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.Garnish with cucumber slices. Earl

Build Your Own March Madness Hosting Platters When you’re hosting a march madness watch party the last thing you want to do is spend all your time in the kitchen trying to feed all your guests. On the other hand, you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars ordering enough food for everyone, hoping they pay you back. Thankfully, there is another option that takes very little time and costs significantly less than ordering out - DIY party platters! With the right ingredients (that don’t require cooking) and strategic plating, a party platter will appear far from simple to guests

Saint Patrick’s Day has a rich history that runs through the culture of Ireland as St. Patrick is the patron saint of the Emerald isle. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned around 30 years later to convert the Irish to Christianity. But let’s be honest, here in America St. Patrick’s Day has basically just become an excuse to wear green, put on green head ware, and, most importantly, consume lots of green drinks. Green beer is the predominate

New Year, New Wines and Pies! Could there be a more perfect union than wine and pie? The proper wine can turn a slice of pie into a transcendental experience. Pairing is key here as the wrong wine can overpower a sweet pie or just clash in the palate ruining both. Also, be careful with mixing lots of sugar and alcohol as there are rumors, not research, that an abundance of both can lead to quite the unpleasant hangover. But we assume you’re eating more than just pie and wine, so you should be fine. And if you are just

It’s officially springtime! And more importantly, winter is done ruining our outdoor fun! Also done are winter’s dark, thick beers that kept us full and warm during the cold season. Which means lighter spring beers are here to refresh your hibernating palate with gusto! Check out our list of spring beers to enjoy starting ASAP! Sierra Nevada Orta Vez Infused with the classic flavors of lime and blue agave nectar, this tart gose-style beer is light and refreshing. The bright lime flavor helps wake up the palate while the mild sweetness of the agave rounds out the tangy zip of

If mulled wine reminds you of Christmas in Europe, you’ve probably been to Europe during the holidays. Mulled wine has become an integral part of the winter holidays in the majority of European countries, each with their own unique take on the hot beverage. Mulled wine made its first appearance during the 2nd century at the hands of the Romans who would heat wine to protect their bodies against the cold winter. As they traveled and conquered much of Europe, their love of mulled wine spread with them across their empire. The current resurgence came in the 1890’s when wine

Mardi Gras is all about overindulgence, in fact, the name itself is French for Fat Tuesday. It takes place the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and is a celebration of all the rich food and drinking excessiveness before the leaner days of Lent begin. The most famous Mardi Gras celebration in America takes place in New Orleans, home to some of the richest food and abundance of alcohol in the U.S. While not everyone has access to the plethora of bars found in New Orleans, you can still have a collection of Mardi Gras themed cocktails at your party! Check out

All hail the versatile margarita! Versatile you ask? Why yes indeed, the margarita has become one of the most flexible beverages around due to the ease with which one can change the flavor profile with a simple shift of ingredients. And what better day to celebrate this compliant cocktail than on National Margarita Day!? We’ve gone ahead and broken the various kinds of margaritas down into four categories so you can find the perfect recipe for your ‘rita requirements. The classic margarita, the one that started it all, is a simple three ingredient cocktail. It’s all about balance and, of