Spec’sology Blog

The best part of having a fall wedding, besides the lack of sweltering summer heat, is the taste of fall sprinkled throughout the event. Whether it’s leafy table toppers, seasonal flowers, or orange bridesmaid dresses (you laugh but we’ve seen it!) The one component you shouldn’t skimp with the season on is the bar. Having a list of available cocktails makes everything from ordering and budgeting to serving and pleasing guests substantially easier. But what to have on your cocktail list? Seasonal is key here and we’ve got some fantastic fall cocktails that are sure to please every side of

Coffee cocktails have come a long way since the 1940s/50’s Irish Coffee and 1960’s White Russian (made famous by The Big Lebowski), and the Espresso Martini of the 1980s/90’s. This is in part to the evolution of coffee culture itself. From first-wave drip coffee, to Starbucks, to today’s craft “third-wave” coffee and the canned cold brew trend. These different styles of coffee have given us the ability to mix them into cocktails never before possible, but certainly delicious. Thankfully, you don’t need to work at a bar or coffee shop to add the rocket fuel to your Friday fun. We’ve

Lobster, the most decadent of crustacea, has been delighting humans since 1984. Ok, more likely since humans first discovered them dwelling below the surface of the ocean. Timelines aside, lobster is ridiculously tasty! Always has been, always will be. But did you know there are different kinds of lobster? As a general rule, if it has front claws it’s a cold-water lobster. If it has no front claws and five appendages, it’s a warm-water lobster. Types of Lobster There are four types of warm water lobster and 2 types of cold-water lobster. Warm water lobsters, also called rock lobster or

Ladies night doesn’t have to mean packing yourself into a bar with a couple of gal pals and fighting the crowds to and from the bathroom on a Thursday night. I get chills just thinking about it! So instead, why not have a Girls’ Night In? We’ve got a collection of delicious cocktails that’ll have you on speed dial as the host with the most and the queen of drinks and hijinks! Skinny Strawberry Green Tea Mojitos With frozen strawberries instead of ice, this is a cocktail that keeps on giving! Ingredients 4 oz. white rum4 fresh strawberries8 frozen strawberries1

It’s still prime grilling season (outside of the occasional tropical depression) and that coupled with Oktoberfest means lots of flame-kissed meats! Whether you’re serving dogs in buns, sausage links or bigger cuts, a good mustard is something you should absolutely have at hand. So, is there a “better” mustard for certain things? What makes them different? It’s time to take a quick bite into this centuries old condiment. Mustard is a mix of mustard seeds and liquid that’s ground into a paste of various textures. The differences in mustards are the types of seeds (yellow, brown or black) and liquids

For those who enjoy entertaining, having a well-stocked bar is pivotal to your success. A handcrafted cocktail can lighten the mood, schmooze the in-laws, wow a friend, or impress a date. Being able to mix a variety of drinks at home adds a certain swanky swagger to your hosting ego, and rightly so! It’s a heck of a lot cooler than only being able to offer canned beer and shots of Fireball. We’re helping you raise the bar a little bit! Starting a home bar may seem like an intimidating endeavor, but it doesn’t need to be. Becoming an amateur,

Kombucha. You’ve probably seen it in stores, and possibly had a friend tell you all about the magical health properties of kombucha. If you haven’t heard about this tonic and are wondering what the rave is about, here’s the 411. What is Kombucha? Kombucha is a fermented, slightly alcoholic (0.5%), lightly effervescent, sweetened black or green tea drink commonly intended as a functional beverage for its claimed health benefits. It’s often flavored with juice or spices to enhance the taste. So, there ya go – it’s fermented tea. While some of them are actually quite good, it’s definitely an acquired

In honor of Oktoberfest starting at the end of the month, and also in honor of the perfect Austria dish, the wiener schnitzel, we’ll be pairing up beers with your bites! But first, some background! What Is Schnitzel? Schnitzel is a cooking method. Pounding a piece of meat to tenderness and then lightly coating it in a flour, egg, and breadcrumb mixture before quickly pan-frying the whole thing is called “schnitzel.” Food historians debate the true origins of the method, but Austrians have claimed it as their own, making the dish something of a national treasure. Schnitzel can be found

Celebrating Labor Day only requires three ingredients for a good time: Friends, Food, and Fun. So, in keeping with the idea of minimal ingredients, and to keep you from getting stuck behind the bar making complicated cocktails all weekend, we’ve put together a collection of 3-ingredient cocktails guaranteed to keep you and your guests having a great time without wasting all of yours! 10 Three-Ingredient Cocktails 1. Limoncello Lady Ingredients 3 oz. Prosecco1 oz. Limoncello2 oz. LemonadeLemon slices (for garnish) Directions Slice your lemons for your garnish.Combine the limoncello and lemonade in a glass.Add ice to the top.When ready to

The simple pleasure of a grilled cheese is one of the most magical joys in life. We all know how the salty, fatty goodness that is melted cheese can make you stop, drop, and drool should you get even a tiny whiff. And we all know wine and cheese are basically the most perfect match ever created, but when was the last time you sat down with a homemade grilled cheese and poured yourself a glass of your favorite wine? There’s just something about the buttery, toasted bread, the rich, melty cheese, and the delicious variety of flavorful ingredients you

The mojito is a classic cocktail praised for its sweet smoothness by the likes of Ernest Hemmingway and James Bond. Usually it’s best not to mess with a classic, but sometimes you find yourself oversaturated with beachy cocktails and yearning for something familiar yet different. And that’s why we’ve gathered up some tasty twists on the mojito. Some use flavored rum, fresh fruits or even a different alcohol entirely, but one thing is for certain, they’re all refreshingly delicious! So, get your muddler ready to muddle and checkout some mouthwatering mojitos! Pineapple Mint Mojito Ingredients 2 oz. Pineapple rum½ oz.

Prosecco is Italy’s most famous sparkling wine. Known for its aromas and flavors of white spring flowers, citrus fruits, green apples and pears. They are balanced with lively acidity and an elegant mousse. People are often confused by the differences between Prosecco and Champagne, as they’re both sparkling wines from Europe. What Is The Difference Between Champagne & Prosecco? Champagne is only made in the Champagne region of France and is produced using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Because Champagne ages longer on the lees (leftover sediment in the barrels), the flavor often resembles cheese rinds. In finer