Spec’sology Blog

Hear ye, hear ye! Make way for the Crown. Crown Royal is more than a whisky with a regal name. In fact, the brand got its name because it was created to honor King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s first trip to Canada. As the top-selling Canadian whisky in the world, it’s no wonder that in North America many believe that Crown Royal does, indeed, wear the crown of whiskies. The most preferred method to drink Crown Royal is neat or on the rocks. However, when you’re pleasing a variety of party guests you’ll want a crowd pleaser that goes

Everyone has a favorite party guest; somebody with a friendly, and approachable attitude, who can get along with anybody—no matter the circumstance or setting. In the wine world—Pinot Noir is that gregarious buddy. Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile and food-friendly red wines. The rich flavor profile of strawberry, cherry and raspberry with warm and spicy undertones create a mouthwatering mix that complements a wide variety of dishes. In honor of #PinotNoirDay, explore the best pinot noir and food pairings that you can use to enjoy on your own, or to give your party an upgrade that will

August 16th marks National Rum Day! So get ready to prop your leg up on a stool like Captain Morgan himself—and raise a glass to the third most popular spirit in the U.S. We’re going to help you celebrate #NationalRumDay by covering a few very easy to make rum cocktails. First, let’s talk a little bit about rum’s fascinating beginnings. After all, we wouldn’t be celebrating National Rum Day if we didn’t learn a little bit about the spirit. A Brief History of Rum: How Caribbean Trash Was Turned to Treasure Rum is a distilled spirit developed from sugarcane byproducts

Looking for the perfect cheesecake wine pairing? We bring you a selection of the best wines to drink with cheesecake, no matter the topping. Plain Cheesecake Wine Pairing You’ll want something more subdued. Go with a sweet Riesling, or a late harvest Sauvignon Blanc. Honey Cheesecake Wine Pairing For a honey cheesecake, try a wine that has a touch of sweetness and plenty of acidity; Try a Moscato, or a dry Rosé. Our pick to pair with this Cheesecake is the Harvest Acres Sweet Gold Moscato. Its flavors of honeysuckle, sweet Georgia peach, melon and orange blossom make for a

Nothing says summer like fruit based ice cream. So in honor of Peach Ice Cream Day, we bring you a collection of peach ice cream inspired cocktail recipes. Be sure to stock up on supplies at your local Spec’s, then get ready to make one of the dreamiest, creamiest summer treats. Peaches and Cream Martinis serves 2 Ingredients 1/2 cup Peach puree from 1 medium, ripe yellow peach 1/2 cup Peach schnapps 1/2 cup Cream liquor like Cask & Cream Splash of Triple Sec, such as Dekuyper Ice Instructions In a cocktail shaker, or mason jar, add ice, peach puree,

Don’t you just love surprises? Seeing all your friends and family gathered in your den to pop out and all yell ‘Happy Birthday’ is a great feeling. But what’s even greater is discovering that your favorite wine pairs exceptionally well with a food that you never would have expected. Don’t be a slave to the ordinary; expand your palate with these unusual and surprising wine pairings. French Fries and Champagne July 13th marks National French Fry Day, so naturally we had to find a pairing for the iconic, diner side dish. Turns out, the saltiness and crunchiness of French fries

You know em’, you love em’, there’s even a famous oldies song about them. (It involves being “caught in the rain”.) Today we’re going to get into Piña Colada variations. You don’t need a plane ticket to go on a tropical vacation, all you need is to mix up any one of these cocktail recipes for your very own weekend escape*. *Grass skirts, bikinis and gaudy Hawaiian shirts optional. Rummin’ with the Devil Piña Colada This cousin of the piña colada uses dark rum, which gives the drink a whole new dimension. It’s garnished with both pineapple and basil leaves

Nothing’s worse than a boring beer cooler. Spice up your summer sipping with a little variety. It’s the “spice of life” after all. Here’s a collection of some of the best beers that Spec’s has to offer right now. Some of them you may have heard of, while others have oddball names that give most people a ‘confused puppy-look’ when they hear their names. (But that’s par for the course in the world of craft beer.) Rest assured, these beer picks are superb. Buffalo Bayou • Summer’s Wit Buffalo Bayou (out of hometown of Houston), takes a classic Belgian Witbier

We all have our go-to labels when we’re picking our poison. We’ve found a brand we like, or are just plain familiar with, and it becomes our proverbial formula from which we don’t want to stray. And for an easy in-and-out trip to Spec’s, that makes sense! But every now and then, it can be a lot of fun to mix it up when you’re mixing your drinks. Finding a new favorite might come in the form of your regular watering hole being out of your typical pick so you try something new, by the suggestion of that coworker who

Rewind several decades to the 1950’s. Chuck Berry plays on the jukebox in the little soda shop down the street, while dozens of teens in poodle skirts and slicked back hair line-up to savor one of the most iconic summer beverages of all time—the ice cream float! The times have evolved, and with them, so has the ice-cream float. How do you make the combination of soda and ice cream even better? Add high-quality spirits and craft beer to the mix. Here are some of our favorite boozy ice cream soda recipes to celebrate Ice Cream Soda Day. Boozy Cherry

What makes a mint julep so delicious? Just 5 simple ingredients. Well on paper it’s bourbon, water, ice, mint, and sugar. But there’s more to it that makes this legendary libation what it is. You also add a heaping tablespoon of American South swagger, 3 ounces of Kentucky Derby history, and last but not least, a silver cup to serve it in. The mint julep is one of those drinks that’s rooted in tradition. (Over 300 years of it.) But today, we’re giving ‘tradition’ a nice good shove out the window. Why? In the name of fun! We present you

We’ve had Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’ playing on a loop. All. Week. Long. Why do you ask? We’re excited about the Kentucky Derby; a new champion will be crowned this Saturday, May 5th! Referred to as the most prestigious horse race in the world; the derby has been conducted at the most famous racetrack, Churchill Downs, continually since 1875. A crowd of 155,000 roars with jubilation as jockeys from around the world and their thoroughbred steeds emerge victoriously. They are lauded with the victor’s traditional Garland of Roses, and bring home a whopping 2 million dollars winning purse! Called