Mulled Wine - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

National Mulled Wine Day

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Wine
If mulled wine reminds you of Christmas in Europe, you’ve probably been to Europe during the holidays. Mulled wine has become an integral part of the winter holidays in the majority of European countries, each with their own unique take on the hot beverage.Mulled wine made its first appearance during the 2nd century at the hands of the Romans who would heat wine to protect their bodies against the cold winter.  As they traveled and conquered much of Europe, their love of mulled wine sprea... Read More
Mardi Gras Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Mardi Mardi We Like to Party – Mardi Gras Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Entertain, Holidays
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 collecti... Read More
Unique Margarita Recipes - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

National Margarita Day – Unique Rita Recipes

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
All hail the versatile margarita! Versatile you ask? Why yes indeed, the margarita has become one of the most flexible beverages around due to the ease with which one can change the flavor profile with a simple shift of ingredients. And what better day to celebrate this compliant cocktail than on National Margarita Day!? We’ve gone ahead and broken the various kinds of margaritas down into four categories so you can find the perfect recipe for your ‘rita requirements.The classic margarita, t... Read More
Galentine's Day Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Galentine’s Day Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Entertain
Arriving the day before Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day is a day for celebrating the love you have for your lady friends; single or not, it’s all about the girls getting down. And that means cocktails! Sure, you could stick to the average beverages, but to properly honor those lady relations you need a drink worthy of raising high above the mundane. So, we’re happy to help ignite the mixology magic you and your pals deserve with these lady-powered libations that are sure to please any c... Read More
Cozy Winter Whiskey Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Cozy Winter Whiskey Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
Relaxing with a whiskey by the fire doesn’t have to mean sipping on a sniffer-full of scotch. We’ve put together a collection of fireside-appropriate whiskey cocktails that’ll have you pulling your recliner closer to the hearth and indulging in the delights of a cozy whiskey cocktail.Hot ToddyIngredients2 oz. whiskey4 oz. hot water, to top½ oz. lemon juice1 tbsp. honeyCinnamon stick, for garnish (optional)Ground nutmeg, for garnish (optional)Ground cloves, for garnish (optional)Star anise... Read More
Super Bowls of Punch - Spec's Wines, Spirits, & Finer Foods

Super Bowls of Punch

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Entertain
In case you’re wondering why all your friends are refusing to attend your National Hedgehog Day Party on February 2nd, it’s because the Big Game happens to be on that very same Sunday. *If you aren’t a big sports fan, the Big Game refers to the annual championship football game of the National Football League that pits the winner of the AFC against the winner of the NFC. And because you’ll spend all day in a state of perpetual curiosity; AFC stands for the American Football Conference an... Read More
Creative Uses for Champagne - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Cheers to Champagne

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Entertain, Holidays
Champagne is known as the drink of choice for celebrations of all kinds, but this bubbly beverage is so much more than a special occasion sipper. Champagne can be used in all sorts of dishes from risotto to Jell-O and everything in between! We’ve put together a list of great Champagnes and sparkling wines for the holidays along with some recipe ideas to use with any leftovers you might have. Or if you’re like us, you might just want to buy an extra bottle or two as there’s no such thing as... Read More
Dessert-Inspired Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits, & Finer Foods

Cheers with Dessert: 8 Dessert-Inspired Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
Everyone knows the holidays are a time of indulgence; and most of us also know they’re a time of notorious overindulgence. No other time of the year is it seen as perfectly normal to have several pie options sitting on your table or to begin considering whipped cream as a condiment. With those delicious thoughts in mind, we’ve decided to help you dive a little deeper into the appetizing abyss of delectable desserts by incorporating alcohol! These dessert-inspired cocktails will either help y... Read More
Eggnog Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits, & Finer Foods

Eggnog Grog: Eggnog Holiday Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Holidays
Few drinks personify the holiday season like eggnog. While it may not be everyone’s favorite, it certainly hits the spot when spiked with alcohol. With so many varieties of eggnog and eggnog cocktails out there, we decided to offer up some of our favorites to help you get through the holidays!Spiced Eggnog CocktailIngredients1 quart eggnog¼ cup Captain Morgan’s 100-proof spiced rum¼ cup Kahlua2 tablespoons Wild Turkey Kentucky bourbon½ teaspoon pure vanilla extractGround cinnamonGround cl... Read More
Botanical Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Botanical Cocktails: Raising a Glass to the Garden

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
Next time you hit up the farmers market for fresh veggies, fruits, and flowers, consider turning your farm-to-table goodness into a farm-to-bar cocktail!Botanical cocktails are garden-inspired cocktails that can encompass a myriad of ingredients relating to a plant. Everything from spices and herbs to oils and tinctures to create a naturally delicious beverage that flaunts your bar skills and your green thumb! Whether you get your ingredients from the grocery store, farmers market or just pick t... Read More
Cake Inspired Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits, & Finer Foods

Let Them Drink Cake – Cake Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits
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 delici... Read More
Spiked Thanksgiving Dishes - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Spiked Thanksgiving

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Entertain, Holidays
Thanksgiving is coming up soon, and this year why not kick up the fun by infusing your holiday dishes with a little something extra! We talk a lot about food and wine pairings, but did you know that if it pairs well you can cook it right into the dish? We’re talking everything from bourbon to beer to biscuits and birds!We’ve put together some of our favorites to help you add a splash of palate pizzazz to your plate!Rosé Cranberry SauceIngredients1 ½ cups Rosé12 oz fresh cranberries2 cups ... Read More