Spec’sology Blog

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

By Mandy Jamrok Have you ever wondered how coffees from all around the world can taste and feel so drastically different on the palate? With so many bean varietals and brewing options out there, it can become overwhelming to decide which beans and methods work best for you. Not to worry- Spec’s is here to help Frappe’s for Father’s Day! Summer weather is officially upon us! While we might be spending our Summer Holidays a little differently this year, that doesn’t mean they can’t be just as much fun. Father’s Day is on Sunday, June 21st, 2020- so in celebration,

We can’t think of anything better than brunch. Ok, maybe the post-brunch nap, but you can’t have one without the other, so we stand by our statement - brunch is awesome. Probably the most awesome thing man has ever created. (Sticky notes are a close second. Fun Fact: 696,960 Sticky Notes = 1 Acre) Origins of Brunch Brunch originated in England in the late 19th century and became popular in the United States in the 1930s. Brunch was coined in 1895 by Guy Beringer in a visionary article titled ''Brunch: A Plea.'' In which he writes: “Instead of England's early

When it comes to Memorial Day celebrations, we tend to think of firing up the grill and throwing a couple of extra delicious M’s in front of Mmmemorial. And for good reason; Memorial Day is the 2nd most popular day to cook up some backyard BBQ in America! (the first being Independence Day) Grilling up hotdogs and hamburgers is an American tradition, but what you wash it down with can make all the difference in the world. The right beer can elevate subtle flavors while the wrong one can diminish all of the delicious highlights. That’s why we’ve decided to

Join us on May 13th as we raise a glass to World Cocktail Day! According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a cocktail is “an alcoholic drink consisting of a spirit or spirits mixed with other ingredients, such as fruit juice or cream". The reason we celebrate World Cocktail Day on May 13th is because it was first described by Harry Croswell in an issue of The Balance and Columbian Repository published on May 13th, 1806 as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters”. Origins of "Cocktail" Interesting, yes, but do you know where the

Moscato, famous for its sweetness, is made from one of the oldest wine grapes in the world - Muscat Blanc. Typical Moscato flavors include: Meyer Lemon, Mandarin Orange, Pear, Orange Blossom, and Honeysuckle. But did you know that there are 5 types of Moscato wine? Sparkling & Semi - Sparkling Moscato - the most common type Still Moscato - made with Muscat Blanc grapes but also other Muscat varieties, like Muscat of Alexandria. Pink Moscato - made with mostly Muscat grapes and usually a dollop of Merlot to give it a ruby pink color and light strawberry taste. Red Moscato