Spec’sology Blog

There’s not much better than an ice-cold glass of iced tea on a hot summer day! The key to that sentence was “not much” as there is in fact something better – hard iced tea. Origins of Iced Tea The history of iced tea in America dates back to South Carolina in the late 1700’s when the French botanist, Andre Michaux, imported and planted the first tea plants in what is now known as the Middleton Place Gardens. Shortly after the plants arrival, American cookbooks began popularizing cold tea recipes usually mixed with hard liquor in what were called punches.

As far as meringue-based sweets go, the macaron stands out as a triumph of culinary achievement. Not to be confused with the similarly spelled macaroon, a coconut-based cookie, the macaron is made with egg white, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder, and food coloring. It’s typically presented as a sandwich cookie with a buttercream, jam, or ganache filling. Macarons are available in a variety of flavors. These light in weight, but heavy in sugar, cookies pair wonderfully with wine. The key is to not let one overpower the other in sweetness by balancing out the dominating taste of the wine.

It’s time to fire up the grill and break out the floaties! Even though you likely don't need floaties anymore, they're still a sign of fun times for the kids and therefore, you! So, let’s try rephrasing – it’s time to fire up the grill and dust off the bathing suit! Memorial Day is here to announce the unofficial start of summer! Along with hotter, longer days comes a reprieve from the dark and heavy drinks of winter and the beginning of fresh, fruity, and delicious cocktails to quench your parched palates. We’ve got five wonderfully easy and refreshing cocktails

Americans have been appreciating fine wines from all over the world for decades, but what about wines made right here in the good old USA? American viticulturists have been hard at work crafting world-class wines, and winning awards around the world over the years. With wine typically recognized as a European and South American endeavor, it’s no wonder they haven’t been getting as much consumer attention. We aim to fix that with a list of America’s top wines for 2019 from around the country. 1. Beaux Freres The Upper Terrace Pinot Noir 2014 This critically acclaimed Pinot Noir from the

Everyone likes getting a little fancy now and then, be it an event you get dressed to the nines for or just a fancy dinner out. Other times you just want a taste of the good life without all the accruements. Enter fancy cocktails! The perfect way to upgrade your evening without having to upgrade your wardrobe. So, the next time you’re feeling fancy, just grab your cocktail shaker, invite some friends over, and prepare to dazzle and delight your taste buds with an evening of extravagance. We’ve made it even easier by compiling a few of our favorite lavish

“We’ve all experienced the lime and salt additions to a light lager, but how about a michelada? It’s traditionally a mix of beer, hot sauce, lime and salt that makes for a deliciously interesting thirst quencher. Finding your preferred balance of flavors along with your favorite base beer is part of the fun!” I’d like to start by saying that you can, and should, drink your beer however you enjoy it. People have been adding to and mixing in their beers for as long as the liquid has been brewed. The michelada is one such “mix” where hot sauce, lime

While you don’t need an excuse to celebrate mom, Mother’s Day is a great reason to host brunch and lavish well-deserved praise upon your mom. As we all know, brunch is the perfect reason to raise a glass before noon. Sure, you could serve up a regular old mimosa, but is that really worthy of the woman who spent hours in labor and then years raising you? We didn’t think so either, and that’s why we’ve put together a list of fabulous wines that pair wonderfully with mom’s love. 1. La Crema Pinot Noir If there’s a perfect Mother’s Day

If you aren’t sure if the old saying, “Mother knows best,” is true, then a quick trip to Spec’s will certainly solidify it as fact. Spec’s has aisles and aisles of mom’s favorites as well as accessories and gift baskets that’ll have her changing your name to Favorite. Below you’ll find a great little gift guide to show mom how much you care. Sweet Delicious Lazzaroni Amaretti Cookies are a great way to tickle her sweet tooth. Lady Walton’s White Chocolate French Vanilla Cookies are a delicious European style wafer cookie filled with creamy white chocolate and a hint of

It’s time to throw on a fancy hat and head to Louisville, for the ultimate in horse racing, the Kentucky Derby! But if you’re not making the annual pilgrimage to the track, you can still have fun at home, hosting your own derby party. Just tell your guests to B.Y.O.H. (bring your own hat) and get your cocktail bar ready for some serious action. Sure, the Mint Julep is the iconic beverage of choice for the Kentucky Derby, but that doesn’t mean you can’t branch out and have a little fun with our collection of derby-inspired delights! Angry Frosé Cider

Everybody has margaritas on the mind this week as Cinco de Mayo is finally here! If you’re throwing a party you’ve probably got more than margaritas on your mind like food and drinks, besides margaritas, that pair with that food. Well, no need to worry your pretty little cabeza about it because we’re here to help! We’ve put together a list of common Mexican dishes and the beverages you should pair them with. This way you can stop stressing about hosting the perfect party and go back to having margaritas on the mind. You’re welcome. What better way to start

While we’re not entirely sure where all these National fill in the blank Day ideas come from, we certainly can’t hold it against the creators as it gives us a reason to get back on the kitchen and wow some palates! In case you lost your “National Day of” calendar, April 29th is National Shrimp Scampi Day! We can’t think of a better way to spend a day than by indulging in shrimp and garlic. When you’ve got shrimp and garlic on the mind, your next thought should be wine. But which one goes with shrimp scampi? Thankfully, these delicious

With spring in full swing, it’s time to freshen up your wine wardrobe with some light and refreshing options. Gone are the winter days where a warm fire and a heavy red are the perfect companions. With spring, you want lighter wines that evoke the warmth of the sun, not a fireplace. From crisp, aromatic white wines to vibrant Rosés, spring is all about tasting fresh, drinking light, and saving money for summer vacation! With that in mind, we’ve gathered up a few of our springtime favorites that pair perfectly with your patio and don’t strain your wallet. 1. Kono