Spec’sology Blog

Champagne and New Year's Eve Party Tips

NYE Champagne and Party Tips

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays
2018 is right around the corner! And that means it’s almost time for the big new year’s party. But before you go poppin’ bottles with your friends or family, read these very simple party-hosting tips. They’ll help make the last party of 2017, (and the first of 2018), one to remember. 1: Party Trays No New Year’s Eve party is complete without appetizers! But why spend extra time in the kitchen preparing, when you can order some gourmet party trays. A cheese plate or two is a NYE celebr... Read More
Christmas Cocktails

Christmas Cocktail Recipes

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Holidays
Cocktails and Christmas tend to go hand in hand. Whether it’s a decadent twist on hot cocoa or a sweet and spiced cider cocktail, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to sip a few fancy drinks during the most wonderful time of the year. Perhaps you need to get through an awkward work mixer, or maybe it’s the only way to tolerate a certain in-law. Regardless of your reason this season, these festive Christmas cocktails are sure to keep your spirits high and your Grinch low. Candy Ca... Read More
Holiday party tray from Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Party Trays For The Holidays

Spec’sology Blog, Catering, Entertain, Holidays
The holidays are here and that means family, friends, parties, and, unfortunately, lots of time in the kitchen. For those who aren’t confident in their cooking skills, are unsure what to bring to the office party, or just don’t want to spend the holidays in the kitchen trying to keep everybody fed – a Spec’s party tray may be just the answer you’re looking for. With platters featuring artisanal cheeses, savory tenderloin, charcuterie, sliders, sandwiches and so much more, Spec’s will... Read More

We Need to Talk…2

Entertain, Beer, Beer Reviews
The holidays are a time for good food and drink, with great family and friends. I’m here to tell you that some of that “good drink” can (and should) be beer! There are countless beers produced around the world that deserve a place at any dinner table, in every glass all the time, but few carry the quality, consistency and prestige of the Trappist ales. Trappist ales are less of a style of beer, and more of a family viewed as the “cream of the crop” – so much so that non-Trappist brew... Read More
National Cocoa Day

National Cocoa Day – December 13

Drink Recipes, Spec’sology Blog
Today marks the celebration of #NationalCocoaDay! Hot cocoa is the warm, and velvety holiday drink that you’re never too old for. If you’re craving your winter cocoa fix, we have some perfect hot cocoa cocktail recipes to satiate your sweet tooth. Mix up one of these confectionary concoctions or mix up your own cup of hot cocoa and tag it with #NationalCocoaDay on social media. If you want to experiment with a boozy cocoa cocktail of your own, here are some other delicious hot cocoa brands a... Read More
Thanksgiving Pairings

Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Tips

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays, Pairings, Wine
Thanksgiving is almost here and that means the holiday stress is just starting to peak. We’re going to take care of that with some wine pairing tips you and your guests will be grateful for! Here are a few ways to go about this. One White, One Red A good and simple strategy for Thanksgiving wine is to select a very good white and a very good red, offering your guests their choice. For reds, look for soft tannins that will yield to and blend with your dishes, like Pinot Noir, Syrah, a fruity Z... Read More
try our homemade crown royal maple pecan pies

Keep Your Eyes on the Pies

Spec’sology Blog, Finer Foods
After spending an hour or so devouring plate after plate of Thanksgiving dinner, there’s no physiological reason you should have room for dessert, but let’s be real – most of our stomachs contain a magical wormhole that leads to another stomach dimension where we apparently have plenty of room for dessert. And it’s no wonder this secret portal exists, as no Thanksgiving meal is complete until we’ve dug into our second (or third) slice of pie. Pie is the universal Thanksgiving Day desse... Read More

Hot & Warm Cocktails For Fall

Drink Recipes, Spec’sology Blog
With the cold starting to creep in, it’s time to start unpacking sweaters and stockpiling firewood—and nothing is better than a hot and boozy beverage to warm you from the inside out. Warm adult drinks seem to fall into three different camps: drinks that resemble tea or a hot toddy, drinks that are sweet and creamy, and drinks that are mulled or spiced. This season is the reason we’ve collected 9 surefire recipes for warmth. Hot Honey Lemon with Vodka Ingredients Vodka, to taste ½ cup ho... Read More

National Mezcal Day 2017

Entertain
October 21st is National Mezcal Day! So, What’s the difference between mezcal and tequila? Mezcal (traditionally spelled mescal) is a Mexican distilled spirit that is made from the agave plant. Tequila is technically a mezcal, however, there are differences in production technique and in the types of agave used. Tequila is made from a single type of agave plant – the agave tequilana (blue agave) – and can only be produced in the state of Jalisco and in small parts of four other states. We&... Read More

Pumpkin Spice and Cocktails So Nice

Drink Recipes, Spec’sology Blog
It’s officially fall and you know what that means – pumpkin spice everything! It’s the same seasonal madness that draws us toward shiny red hearts in February or rocket pops at the Fourth of July: for a few months out of every year, we collectively crave the very particular, very peculiar flavor of pumpkin, wherever we can get it. We tend to lean toward the, generally least intrusive, pumpkin delivery system of a fall cocktail. You’ll see it most often with bourbon or whiskey, or one of ... Read More

National Rum Punch Day

Drink Recipes, Spec’sology Blog
Time flies when you’re having rum! September 20th is National Rum Punch Day. But celebrating solo is no way to honor a holiday like this. So here are a few punch recipes you can mix up into a pitcher and enjoy with your rum-loving pals. For more rummy recommendations, ask the Specs-perts at your local Spec’s store. ‘Make A Mango Crazy’ Punch (Pitcher) Ingredients 16 oz Bacardi Rum, Light 8 oz orange juice 8 oz mango nectar 4 oz pineapple 80 mint leaves, torn or thinly sliced 8 pineapple... Read More