Spec’sology Blog

Big Batch July 4th Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Big Batch July 4th Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
Everybody loves serving up a signature cocktail at a Fourth of July party, but absolutely nobody wants to be stuck behind the bar working up a sweat shaking cocktails all night. The solution? Big batch cocktails! Hosting a stress-free party starts by whipping up big-batch cocktails in advance and then simply leaving a pitcher or punch bowl out for guests to use at their (and your) convenience. Checkout some of our favorite big batch cocktail recipes and don’t miss a minute of the fun!   (... Read More
The Best Camping Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

5 Best Camping Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
June is National Camping Month! (we can only assume this was created in some northern state where it’s a high of 80 in June!) Camping is a great way to get out and see America the beautiful in all its glory. Gathering around a campfire with your favorite pals can be the perfect vacation from the everyday hustle and bustle of modern life. Some of us here at Spec’s are avid outdoor enthusiasts while others prefer a shower and a tv; so, for this collection of campfire cocktails we’ve relied o... Read More
Mastering The Martini - How To - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

How To Make A Perfect Martini

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
The martini is a timeless classic. It never falls out of fashion as it is fashion. And there’s never a shortage of Bond films to remind us of its cool factor as well as to pique the interest of younger generations. Numerous theories on the cocktail’s origins exist, as do numerous versions and recipes. From gin or vodka to fruity or savory, the martini is a jack of all trades. Although, attaching “tini” to the end of a cocktail usually just means it’s served in a v-shaped glass, often c... Read More
How To Make A Cheese Board - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

How to Build the Perfect Cheese Board

Spec’sology Blog, Cheese, Entertain, Finer Foods
Ever been equal parts hungry and lazy? So much so that you just end up stuffing some meat and cheese in your face and moving on? Whether you knew it or not, you just dined on a charcuterie plate. Albeit a less fancy one than you’ll find in local restaurants, but we’re about to change all that! First things first, it’s pronounced shar-cute-uh-ree. You’re welcome. What Is Charcuterie? The word charcuterie comes from the French and literally means cooked cold meats. A charcuterie board cons... Read More
Highly-Rated White Wines - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Highly Rated White Wines to Enjoy This Spring

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Spring doesn’t last long in Texas, so getting the most out of this short season is the key to enjoying it while it lasts. And that’s where these easy-drinking whites truly shine. Whether you’re pairing a bottle with a light spring dish or just splashing it into a glass to enjoy on the porch, these spring sippers are perfect for any occasion! Pick up any of these easy-drinking spring white wines and you’ll be ready to bloom no matter where you find yourself planted!   Kono Sauvignon ... Read More
Top Bourbons of 2022 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Spec’s Staff Picks – Top Bourbons of 2022

Spirits
Do you like staff picks? Do you like bourbon? Well, you’re in for a treat, my friend! We rounded up Spec’s spirits experts and managed to get them to sit down for a few minutes (these people are always busy!) to enlighten us with their personal bourbon picks! Read below to stock your shelf like a pro!   Maker’s Mark Spec’s Private Select Spec’s loves working with Maker’s Mark! Thisselection of staves creates an excellent bourbon for drinking neat or your favorite cocktail. A fla... Read More
Liquor & Beer Marinades - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Alcohol Marinades: Memorial Day Recipes

Spec’sology Blog, Beer, Entertain, Spirits
Memorial Day is here and that means it’s time to drag your grill into the kitchen and put it to use! OK, you should probably skip the dragging inside part, but either way, your grill will definitely be the center of attention this holiday weekend. And where there’s grilling, there’s marinating! Everyone has their preferred method of marinating meats, and one of the most popular ways to do it involves alcohol. A bourbon marinade is an excellent choice for chicken or steak, but there are a l... Read More
How To Pick The Perfect Rose - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Rosé 101: A Guide to Picking the Perfect Rosé

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
If your favorite summer sipper leads to you making plans like Rosé all day + fill in the blank, and if you want to get the most out of your Rosé all day, then this is the piece for you! We’ve put together some of the best rosé wines as well as tips on how to pick the perfect rosé. What is rosé wine? Rosé is simply a light version of red wine. Red wine gets its color from fermenting the white juice with red-skinned grapes to get a red color, and rosé is fermented the same way but for a s... Read More
Top Ten Texas Beers - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Top Ten Texas Beers

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
If you’re drinking local Texas beers, make sure you’re doing it right! Check out our list of the ten most popular Texas brews, and get ready to add a top shelf to your beer fridge! If your near our Smith Street liquor store in Houston, be sure to check out these great Texas beers. Lone Pine Yellow Rose Rated #1 Texas Brewed IPA, on both BeerAdvocate.com and RateBeer.com, I believe. A SMASH IPA (single malt, single hop), Yellow Rose is as nice to look at as it is to drink. ... Read More

Best Tequilas Under $50

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits

As you may have noticed in your youth, when it comes to tequila you get what you pay for. A good tequila in the US can easily break the $100 mark, but if you’re just looking for a tasty one to mix up at your Cinco de Mayo party or for casual drinking, you’ll want to find something that’s both tasty and affordable. Lucky you (and us), we’ve done the research and sipped all the samples to cut out the guesswork for you.

Here are 4 exceptional tequilas that will tickle your tastebuds with... Read More

Cinco De Mayo Party Essentials - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Strawberry Paloma

Spec’sology Blog, Entertain, Holidays

Cinco de Mayo is all about celebrating Mexican culture and heritage. And while there is absolutely more to this day than tequila and tacos, but we’ll be focusing on tequila as well as some other fun items you’ll need to throw the perfect Cinco de Mayo party!
Tequila
Pitcher Perfect Rita Recipe
Of course, you’ll need a margarita, but instead of having to stand there making the same drink over and over again why not just whip up and easy pitcher-sized recipe that’ll free you up to enjoy... Read More

Tequila Punch Recipes - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Tequila Punch Recipes

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits

Tequila punch is always a wonderful addition to any gathering, but even more so for Cinco de Mayo! A punch cocktail is made with fruit juice and alcohol and is a great way to get yourself out from behind the bar and back into the party. These large-batch cocktails can be made well in advance of your gathering and stored in the fridge until guests arrive.

We’ve got 5 punches to put the feisty in your fiesta!

 
Patrón’s Citrus Punch
Ingredients

2 oz agave nectar
9 oz Patr... Read More