Spec’sology Blog - Spirits

Ahh summertime, the season of getting out and getting down! Whether you’re heading to a pool party, a day by the lake, or throwing a bash at your place, odds are there’s going to be food – and not just any food, but fancy summer favorites. And while we typically think beer or wine when the grill is fired up, a refreshing cocktail may be just what you need to set your summer fun apart from the masses. From delightful pairings to grilled ingredients and frozen poptails, we’ve got you covered for summer fun like sunscreen at the beach! Limoncello

When you think about saké you probably think about Japan and rice, and you’d be correct on both counts. Saké, the oldest known spirit in the world, is often incorrectly referred to as rice wine. Rice wine, like Western wine with grapes, is made from the fermentation of rice. While saké is indeed made from rice, it goes through a brewing process where starch is converted to alcohol much like how beer is brewed, although the ABV is sustainably higher than either beer or wine. How Is Saké Made? Brewing saké is a rather laborious two-step process. First, the rice

It’s time to fire up the grill and break out the floaties! Even though you likely don't need floaties anymore, they're still a sign of fun times for the kids and therefore, you! So, let’s try rephrasing – it’s time to fire up the grill and dust off the bathing suit! Memorial Day is here to announce the unofficial start of summer! Along with hotter, longer days comes a reprieve from the dark and heavy drinks of winter and the beginning of fresh, fruity, and delicious cocktails to quench your parched palates. We’ve got five wonderfully easy and refreshing cocktails

Everyone likes getting a little fancy now and then, be it an event you get dressed to the nines for or just a fancy dinner out. Other times you just want a taste of the good life without all the accruements. Enter fancy cocktails! The perfect way to upgrade your evening without having to upgrade your wardrobe. So, the next time you’re feeling fancy, just grab your cocktail shaker, invite some friends over, and prepare to dazzle and delight your taste buds with an evening of extravagance. We’ve made it even easier by compiling a few of our favorite lavish

It’s time to throw on a fancy hat and head to Louisville, for the ultimate in horse racing, the Kentucky Derby! But if you’re not making the annual pilgrimage to the track, you can still have fun at home, hosting your own derby party. Just tell your guests to B.Y.O.H. (bring your own hat) and get your cocktail bar ready for some serious action. Sure, the Mint Julep is the iconic beverage of choice for the Kentucky Derby, but that doesn’t mean you can’t branch out and have a little fun with our collection of derby-inspired delights! Angry Frosé Cider

Everybody has margaritas on the mind this week as Cinco de Mayo is finally here! If you’re throwing a party you’ve probably got more than margaritas on your mind like food and drinks, besides margaritas, that pair with that food. Well, no need to worry your pretty little cabeza about it because we’re here to help! We’ve put together a list of common Mexican dishes and the beverages you should pair them with. This way you can stop stressing about hosting the perfect party and go back to having margaritas on the mind. You’re welcome. What better way to start

¡Viva Tequila! This spirit is arguably the friskiest of them all, and it’s not just for sipping or for mixing into cocktails with lime and sugar. Try one of these 4 tequila-based food recipes and it’ll change the way you look at the agave-based spirit! Tequila Lime Chicken Tacos Tequila, lime and chicken are all just a natural fit for one another. Try this mouthwatering taco recipe! Ingredients ½ cup tequila Juice from 4 limes, freshly squeezed 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 jalapeños: 1 finely chopped and 1 sliced, divided Ground black pepper Kosher salt 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken

There may be a small red mark from lightly banging my forehead against the desk. That’s what happens when you have to choose the best among so many awesome choices! It was really hard to pick the top 5 Texas vodkas because the state of Texas has produced some truly outstanding ones over the years! Eventually, we managed to settle on several that seemed to shine above the rest. Here are our top 5 picks for the best Texas vodka brands available on the market today! 1. 1835 Texas Lone Star Vodka Clean, smooth, crisp and highly mixable—everything great vodka

Although vodka is traditionally drank chilled and neat, many of us think of it as the go-to spirit when it comes to making cocktails. It can be used in many varieties and has been for years! We encourage you to make your own vodka concoction from one of these recipes. We’ve included some classic vodka cocktails, and a few with modern twists. Enjoy! Salty Dog The Salty Dog is a nice, crisp drink to enjoy on a hot summer’s day. To make it, rub the rim of a glass with a freshly cut piece of lime or a wedge of

Whether you shoot it, sip it, or mix it up in a margarita—we've got some of the best Texas tequila brands for you! Tequila is one of the most popular liquors here in Texas and for good reason. Texans love all the tequila that we can find from our neighboring country south of the border. In fact, Texans and tequila have a long history. Today we have a collection of some of our favorite Texas tequila brands that give even Mexico’s finest a run for its money. Explore and enjoy these Texas Tequila brands we love. 4 Best Texas Tequilas

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

Whiskey is made all over the US and there are more and more distilleries popping up all of the time. We’ve put together a list of 6 American whiskeys that are worth taking a break from your usual. But first, let’s go into some detail about whiskey and bourbon. All bourbon is whiskey is but not all whiskey is bourbon. The folks over at Jim Beam say, "Bourbon is kinda like whiskey's 'sweet spot' … because corn is a sweet grain. The more corn, the sweeter the whiskey. And to be called bourbon, it must be at least 51 percent