Spec’sology Blog - Holidays

Valentine’s Day is here, and Spec’s has you covered with gifts for all! Sure, when you think Spec’s, you think alcohol, and while that’s most certainly true, Spec’s also offers a ton of other items to woo your boo! Since you’re probably in a hurry to find a gift and not looking for the history of Valentine’s Day or other random factoids, we’ll get right to it! Gifts for Her A Bouquet of Rosés Korbel Sweet Rosé House Wine Rosé Castellblanch Rosado Brut Carat Cava Budget Friendly Bubbly for your Beloved Ayala Brut Majeur Chandon California Brut Classic Lucien Albrecht

Every year we offer up dozens and dozens of cocktails for you to try and 2020 was no different. Seeing as how 2020 was the year of stay-at-home cocktails, we decided to showcase the top four most popular drinks of the year. So, grab a glass and enjoy of our year-end cocktail roundup! Mango Sunrise Piña Colada With a tropical twist on an already tropical cocktail, our blissful Mango Sunrise Piña Colada was a summertime standout. It’s like taking a vacation in the middle of a vacation! Ingredients: 2 oz. Koloa Coconut Rum 2 oz. mango juice 2 oz. pineapple

Some of our top gifts to give your friends and loved ones for the holiday season! Homemade Maple Pecan Pie made with Crown Royal It’s everything you love about pie with a subtle kick of everything you love about bourbon. The infusion of Crown Royal Maple Bourbon highlights the seasonal flavors in every slice of sticky sweet perfection! But you’ll want to hurry in and get yours soon as they’re only available for a limited time! Fat Ice Cocktail Spheres Super premium, crystal clear ice. Best for slowly watering down barrel proof and high proof whiskey or cask strength scotch.

We’ve found that the best way to enjoy some of our favorite holiday movies is with a perfectly paired beverage! From old favorites to new classics, we hope you find a film to enjoy…and if not, these drinks are delicious no matter how you enjoy them! National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation A story of a man whose one wish for the holidays is to have the perfect Christmas. His efforts spiral into the hilarious as countless obstacles line up to impede his dream including electrical issues, feral woodland creatures, redneck relatives, and a grinchy employer. Fiery Fuzzball Cocktail Ingredients 1 oz.

When someone opens their home to you and plans and prepares a Thanksgiving Day feast, it’s always appropriate to show your gratitude by bringing something your host or hostess will appreciate. The time of year lends itself to celebration through giving. To help with any gift-giving anxiety you may be experiencing, we’ve put together a handful of gift items that are perfect for a host who loves to plan dinner parties. SPEC’S HOMEMADE CROWN ROYAL MAPLE BOURBON PECAN PIE After spending an hour or so devouring plate after plate of Thanksgiving dinner, there’s no physiological reason you should have room

Thanksgiving is almost here and that means the holiday stress is just starting to peak. We’re going to take care of that with some wine pairing tips you and your guests will be grateful for! Here are a few ways to go about this: One White, One Red A good and simple strategy for Thanksgiving wine is to select a very good white and a very good red, offering your guests their choice. For reds, look for soft tannins that will yield to and blend with your dishes, like Pinot Noir, Syrah, a Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Beaujolais Nouveau or a

There’s something perfect about curling up with your favorite ghoul pal and making yourself too terrified to leave the couch. So, this Halloween season, you’ll want to keep the bar cart within reach as you pair up one of these frightfully delicious drinks with some classic spooky films! The Shining + Redrum Ingredients 2 oz. aged rum 1 oz. fresh lemon juice 1 oz. simple syrup 1 oz. red wine 2 sticks cinnamon (and 2 for garnish) Directions Combine aged rum, lemon juice, simple syrup and two sticks of cinnamon in a shaker. Add ice, cap and shake for 10

Scare up some refreshing fun this Halloween with our collection of spooky cocktails! These frightfully refreshing drinks are the perfect way to raise your Halloween spirits and spread some fermented fun for the adults! Swamp Juice Ingredients 1 ½ oz. vodka 1 oz. lemon juice 2 oz. Jarritos Lime Soda club soda Swedish Fish garnish: gummy worms Directions Add ice and Swedish Fish to glass Pour in lemon juice, lime soda, and vodka Stir, top with club soda, and garnish with gummy worms Enjoy! Devil’s Margarita Ingredients 1 ½ oz. blanco tequila 1 oz. lime juice, freshly squeezed ¾ oz.

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

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

Mardi Gras is all about overindulgence, in fact, the name itself is French for Fat Tuesday. It takes place the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and is a celebration of all the rich food and drinking excessiveness before the leaner days of Lent begin. The most famous Mardi Gras celebration in America takes place in New Orleans, home to some of the richest food and abundance of alcohol in the U.S. While not everyone has access to the plethora of bars found in New Orleans, you can still have a collection of Mardi Gras themed cocktails at your party! Check out

Your significant other isn’t the only thing that can sweep you off your feet this Valentine’s Day! Chocolate and wine have been having a discreet love affair for centuries and we think you should get in on the action. If paired correctly, chocolate and wine can be the ultimate power couple. Check out our pairing list and get ready to indulge! Chocolate & Sea Salt + Verdejo White wine goes wonderfully with salty foods and the combination of this Spanish Verdejo with a sea salt milk chocolate will unlock a wonderful new world of flavors. Cherry Cordials + Tempranillo The