Spec’sology Blog - Spirits

Join us on May 13th as we raise a glass to World Cocktail Day! According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a cocktail is “an alcoholic drink consisting of a spirit or spirits mixed with other ingredients, such as fruit juice or cream". The reason we celebrate World Cocktail Day on May 13th is because it was first described by Harry Croswell in an issue of The Balance and Columbian Repository published on May 13th, 1806 as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters”. Origins of "Cocktail" Interesting, yes, but do you know where the

We’d like to take a moment to raise a glass to you for doing your part to keep everyone safe! 6 weeks of social distancing and/or isolation is no easy feat so, thank you. This week we’ve got a rowdy Philly bar series, a classy (and a bit rowdy) NYC ad agency, and a Star Wars movie! So grab your shaker and a seat, and let’s kick this off! It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia • Hulu “Always Sunny”, as fans call it, follows "The Gang," the owners of the unsuccessful Paddy's Pub; a group of degenerates who love nothing more

We hope week 5 in our Sip & Stream series finds you well! This week we’re bringing back some old favorites and a new classic that’s sure to pass plenty of time. Downton Abbey • Amazon Prime A six-season period drama that focuses on the lives of the Crawleys, the aristocratic family who lives in Downton Abbey. The series takes as its starting point actual historical events, including the sinking of the Titanic, and the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, then filters them through the characters' reactions. The drama ensues as the characters try to navigate their rapidly changing, post-Edwardian world

We’ve got some real cinematic treats in week 4 of our Sip & Stream series! The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Amazon Prime It's the late 1950s and Miriam "Midge" Maisel has everything she has ever wanted -- the perfect husband, two kids and an elegant apartment on New York's Upper West Side. Her seemingly idyllic life takes a surprising turn when she discovers she’s been suppressing a hidden talent -- stand-up comedy. Pair it with: Cocktails from the 1950’s Rum Runner Boozy and full of healthy juices! Ingredients 1 oz. pineapple juice1 oz. orange juice1 oz. blackberry liqueur1 oz. banana

Here we are in week 3 of Spec’s Sip & Stream pairing suggestions, and we’re still finding things to watch. It really is amazing how much entertainment is at our fingertips in this digital age of convenience! Anyway, let’s get to mixing up some deliciousness. Castle Rock • Hulu The Stephen King multiverse is the setting for this psychological horror series that takes place in Castle Rock, Maine, which is a location familiar to fans of King's work. An anonymous phone call lures death-row attorney Henry Deaver back to Castle Rock. He is unsettled by his hometown, but he returns

Just when you thought you’d exhausted all possibilities for entertainment and started considering wallpapering the ceiling as a good use of your time - Spec’s is here to help you raise a glass and sit on your…couch. In case you missed week 1, Spec’s will be serving up streaming content recommendations paired with a beverage that matches the entertainment’s theme. So, without further ado, let’s get into week 2’s picks! The Stranger • Netflix Based on Harlan Coben's novel of the same name, the series follows Adam Price, who seems to be living the perfect life - two great sons,

While coffee maybe America’s go to hot beverage, indulging in a cuppa (British slang for a cup of tea) now and then can be a delightful alternative…especially when you blend teatime with happy hour. That’s right, those little bags of herbs and spices make for a wonderful cocktail base and we’ve got a collection of our favorites for you to try. Pinkies, and bottoms, up! Matcha Lemonade Cocktail Ingredients 1 oz Vodka1 oz Lemonade3 oz Matcha teaCucumber garnish Directions Brew Matcha teaAdd ingredients and ice to shaker and shake until chilled.Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.Garnish with cucumber slices. Earl

It’s National Appreciate a Dragon Day! Yes, it’s a thing. So, whether you’re a fan of Puff, Smaug, or Drogon, January 16th is the day to raise a glass to your favorite mythological creature. And to make this list of dragon-inspired cocktails even more interesting, we’ve got some classic dragon movies you should checkout as well! Dragon Films The NeverEnding Story (1984) Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) DragonHeart (1996) Reign of Fire (2002) How to Train Your Dragon (2010) The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) Now that you’ve got your dragon movie all picked out, you need a proper

Sometimes less can be deliciously more! There’s no need to have your bar stocked with every kind of liquor imaginable in order to make great cocktails that your guests will love. And you’ll also be any bartender’s favorite patron when you ask for a 3-ingredient cocktail that doesn’t require them to toast a thinly sliced vanilla bean during peak bar hours. If you’re thinking these are going to be barebones, old school, cocktails that your granddad drank, well you’re partially right. Some of the most enduring drinks have the simplest ingredients, which is probably why they’ve managed to stand the

If you’re looking to raise a glass to something new in 2020, we’ve put together a list of our favorite new spirits to hit the market this year and we’re excited to share. From floral, seasonal gin to flavored vodka infused with Japanese citrus fruit, and an entirely new spirit that’s similar to mescal yet completely different, these five new spirits are more than worthy of your attention. Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin Master Distiller Lesley Gracie, the woman who created the Hendrick’s brand, has released a brand-new gin. Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice ups the floral essences that pair so wonderfully with

Have your cake and drink it too with these mouthwatering cake cocktails! Skip the oven and warm up the shaker instead. All you need are a few ingredients, a shaker, some ice, and of course sprinkles - even if you don’t need them for a particular cocktail, sprinkles are always good to have on hand! These crowd-pleasers are perfect for any occasion but especially birthdays, weddings, bridal showers, and neighborhood get-togethers. So, gather your pals and get to caking with these 10 delicious cake cocktail recipes. Cake Batter Martini Ingredients 3 oz Cake Vodka 3 oz white/clear creme de cacao

“Shall we retire to the study for cigars and brandy?” You’ve heard this before in a movie and they always make it sound so relaxing, but what happens if you have no idea what you’re doing when it comes to pairing a cigar with a fine spirit? Well, you either get it wrong and everyone notices, or you get it right and everyone notices. Either way, people are going to find out whether you know what you’re doing or not and, depending on the company, judge you accordingly. So, instead of fumbling around in the smoke-filled dark, why don’t we