Spec’sology Blog - Drink Recipes

While lighting the menorah, dreidel games, and gifts are the most known Hanukkah traditions, you might be in the mood to start your own this year and spice up the festivities. Pairing your dinners with a specific cocktail each night may just add the perfect touch to your family gatherings. Check out these Hanukkah inspired cocktails and incorporate a new tradition to your 8 nights of celebration. Try one each night or if you find one that thoroughly tickles your fancy, you’re free to enjoy it for all eight nights without feeling like a meshuggeneh! Shalom Ingredients 5 oz. Russian

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

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,

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

April 19th is a ‘nutty’ holiday for sure! It marks the celebration of National Amaretto Day, one of the world’s most popular liqueurs. The word Amaretto literally means “a little bitter” in Italian—and rightly so. This famous Italian concoction is made from bitter almonds, or apricot kernels. The nuts are infused in pure alcohol or brandy, giving the liqueur a distinctively bold almond flavor. To celebrate National Amaretto Day, sip on this savory liqueur at home and mix up one of our amazing cocktails featuring this amazing liqueur. The Godfather A 1970’s throwback cocktail named after the famous Coppola film.

The pubs will be packed and the green beer will flow once again. It’s March 17, that one day of the year when ‘everyone’s Irish’—St. Patrick’s Day! But why contend with crowded elbow-to-elbow pubs when you can host a stellar St. Paddy’s Day party in the comfort of your own home? Everyone knows that Irish beer and whisky are staples on March 17th. Here’s a few of our recommendations: Must-Try’ Irish Beers: Murphy’s Irish Stout, O’Hara’s Irish Wheat, O’Hara’s Celtic Stout, Smithwick’s Irish Ale, Porterhouse Brewing Co. Oyster Stout, Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale, Harp Lager, Murphy’s Irish Red, and naturally

Roll out the red carpet! Hollywood’s biggest night is almost here. In honor of the 2018 Oscars, we have some very classy, (and creative) cocktails inspired by a few of the top nominated films. They’re perfect for sipping in style with your friends, while you watch your favorite stars make their celebratory speeches this Oscar Sunday. Lady Bird Cocktail Taking parts from the Jungle Bird cocktail, and the White Lady, this vibrant cocktail should be nominated for “Best in Taste”. Yum! Ingredients 1 1/2 ounces Gin ¾ ounce of Campari ½ ounce lime juice ½ ounce of simple syrup 1

Why should kids have all the fun? Gelatin snacks can be so much more than the limited palate of strawberry, orange and the like. With these classy and wiggly shot recipes, you’ll wow your party guests with gourmet, gelatin greatness. Be sure to stock up on supplies from your local Spec’s and if you need more recommendations, be sure to ask one of our Spec’sperts in the liquor aisles. Mojito Gelatin Shot Ingredients 1 cup white rum 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 3 envelopes unflavored gelatin ¾ cup fresh lime juice 3 stems fresh mint leaves Directions In a

Top o’ the morning! Today we celebrate National Irish Coffee Day. This steamy, invigorating cocktail was introduced to Americans in the 1940’s after a group of U.S passengers disembarked a Pan Am flying boat one blustery evening. Joe Sheridan, head chef in the airport bar of Foynes, County Limerick added whisky to the coffee to warm the passengers, stating that it was “Irish Coffee.” But variations of this energizing concoction pre-date the modern version by at least 100 years. Warm the cockles of your heart by mixing up one of our Irish coffee recipe variations. Enjoy! Classic Irish Coffee Ingredients

Cocktails and Christmas tend to go hand in hand. Whether it’s a decadent twist on hot cocoa or a sweet and spiced cider cocktail, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to sip a few fancy drinks during the most wonderful time of the year. Perhaps you need to get through an awkward work mixer, or maybe it’s the only way to tolerate a certain in-law. Regardless of your reason this season, these festive Christmas cocktails are sure to keep your spirits high and your Grinch low. Candy Cane Cocktail Ingredients For Candy Cane Infused Vodka: 1 cup