Spec’sology Blog

E-Happy Hour - Easy Cocktails for a Virtual Hangout

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We’re all going through being stuck at home in our own way., be it knocking out dozens of yard work projects (and then fixing things you messed up in the process), puzzling like a madman, videogaming until dawn, or simply struggling to work from home. No matter how you’re handling it one thing is for certain - being on lockdown doesn’t make Friday any less Friday! With that in mind, we’ve put together some super easy recipes with minimal ingredients that we’ll have you raising a glass to your great looking grass…or completed puzzle. The Chilton Ingredients 1 1/2 oz.

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Sip & Stream Week 6

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We’d like to take a moment to raise a glass to you for doing your part to keep everyone safe! 6 weeks of social distancing and/or isolation is no easy feat so, thank you. This week we’ve got a rowdy Philly bar series, a classy (and a bit rowdy) NYC ad agency, and a Star Wars movie! So grab your shaker and a seat, and let’s kick this off! It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia • Hulu “Always Sunny”, as fans call it, follows "The Gang," the owners of the unsuccessful Paddy's Pub; a group of degenerates who love nothing more

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Sip & Stream Week 5

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We hope week 5 in our Sip & Stream series finds you well! This week we’re bringing back some old favorites and a new classic that’s sure to pass plenty of time. Downton Abbey • Amazon Prime A six-season period drama that focuses on the lives of the Crawleys, the aristocratic family who lives in Downton Abbey. The series takes as its starting point actual historical events, including the sinking of the Titanic, and the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, then filters them through the characters' reactions. The drama ensues as the characters try to navigate their rapidly changing, post-Edwardian world

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Sip & Stream - Week 4

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We’ve got some real cinematic treats in week 4 of our Sip & Stream series! The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Amazon Prime It's the late 1950s and Miriam "Midge" Maisel has everything she has ever wanted -- the perfect husband, two kids and an elegant apartment on New York's Upper West Side. Her seemingly idyllic life takes a surprising turn when she discovers she’s been suppressing a hidden talent -- stand-up comedy. Pair it with: Cocktails from the 1950’s Rum Runner Boozy and full of healthy juices! Ingredients 1 oz. pineapple juice1 oz. orange juice1 oz. blackberry liqueur1 oz. banana

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Pretty in Pastel: Colorful Easter Cocktails

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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

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Sip & Stream - Week Three

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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

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Sip & Stream - Week Two

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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,

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Sip & Stream - Week One

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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

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Teatime Meets Happy Hour: Tea Cocktails

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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

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Meats & Madness

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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

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St. Patrick's Day Cocktails

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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

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Pairings As Easy As Pie

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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

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