Spec’sology Blog - Spirits

Throughout June, people all over the globe will be celebrating World Pride Month in honor of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. With the rainbow flag being one of the symbols of Pride, we’re supporting the LGBTQ community with a collection of colorful cocktails you can make at home to celebrate Pride! The Cheever Ingredients 1 oz. vodka½ oz. cream½ oz. cream of coconut½ oz. blue curaçao3 oz. pineapple juice Directions Pour pineapple juice, vodka, cream and cream of coconut with ice into a blender and blend.Strain into a large glass with ice cubes.Float the blue curacao on

We can’t think of anything better than brunch. Ok, maybe the post-brunch nap, but you can’t have one without the other, so we stand by our statement - brunch is awesome. Probably the most awesome thing man has ever created. (Sticky notes are a close second. Fun Fact: 696,960 Sticky Notes = 1 Acre) Origins of Brunch Brunch originated in England in the late 19th century and became popular in the United States in the 1930s. Brunch was coined in 1895 by Guy Beringer in a visionary article titled ''Brunch: A Plea.'' In which he writes: “Instead of England's early

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