Spec’sology Blog

7 Best Mardi Gras Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

7 Best Mardi Gras Cocktails for Fat Tuesday

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, 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 an abundance of alcohol in the US. Check out some of our favorite Fat Tuesday tipples to put the party in your mardi and laissez les bon t... Read More
Valentine's Day Wine & Cheese Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Valentine’s Day Wine & Cheese Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays, Pairings
A lot of time is spent crafting the perfect wine pairing for Valentine’s Day dinner, and for good reason as the right wine can take an average meal to a whole new level. But what about before the meal? A wine and cheese appetizer is an excellent way to set the mood for a classy evening. As purveyors of fine wines and gourmet cheese, we might have some ideas to help get you started! Wine & Cheese Pairings Moscato D’Asti + Gorgonzola Funkier cheeses call for a sweeter wine, and the fresh, ... Read More
Best Martini Recipes - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

The Best Martini Recipes

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits
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

Lowest Calorie Alcohol Drinks

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or Dry January, lots of folks are trying to lighten up for the new year. So, we’ve put together some of our low calorie and low to no alcohol favorites that’ll having you raising a glass to another glass!   Barefoot Pinot Grigio 91 calories per 4 oz serving, 0g sugar, 3.1g carb, 12.5% ABV A crisp and light-bodied wine that goes down smoothly Aroma: Tropical fruits, citrus peels, and a charming floral accent Palate: Tart green apple notes and a p... Read More
10 Must-Try Texas Liquors - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

10 Must-Try Texas Liquors

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and nowadays that goes for liquor too! The Lone Star state has become a hotspot for up-and-coming spirits as well as the base of operations for several established Texas liquor brands. We’ll be taking a look at some of these and introducing you to a few new ones you may not have heard of yet. Best Texas Liquors Tito’s Handmade Vodka If you haven’t heard of Tito’s, you must have just gotten here so, Welcome to Texas! Tito’s Handma... Read More
Best Mocktail Recipes for 2023 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

The Best Mocktail Recipes for 2023

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes

It’s time for Dry January and we’ve got some super tasty mocktails to help get you through it in style! Gone are the days of simply excluding alcohol to make a virgin cocktail. Nowadays, mocktails have basically started a whole new category of delicious drinks with their own unique ingredients. So, whether it’s a substitution, a variation, or a standalone sipper, we’ve got you covered with some mouthwatering favorites for Dry January!

 
Salted Watermelon Juice
Ingredients
Make... Read More

New Year's Eve Party Planning - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

New Year’s Eve Party Planning

Spec’sology Blog, Entertain, Holidays

There’s really no better party than celebrating the end of the year with family and friends! To ensure you get the most out of your ball dropping bash, we’ve put together some tips to make it as easy, beautiful, and delicious as possible!

 
Decorating
Sparkles over Flowers.
Skip all floral arrangements and the gorgeous centerpiece, and instead fill glass hurricanes or vases with foil horns, silver balls, confetti and even NYE tiaras.
Glitz and glamor are the order of the day!
I... Read More

Best Cocktails of 2022 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Cocktails of 2022

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes

Every year we offer up dozens and dozens of cocktails for you to try and every year you have your favorites. And, after compiling all the data and utilizing a couple of highly classified quantum calculations that analyze the gravitational pull of smiles per sip, we’re proud to announce this year’s top four cocktails!

So, grab a glass and enjoy a round of our 2022 Cocktail Roundup!

 
Melted Witch
Ingredients

1 ½ oz Hendrick’s Lunar Gin
¾ oz Blue Curacao Liqueur
1 ... Read More

Last Minute Gift Ideas - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Last Minute Gifting Guide

Spec’sology Blog, Gifts, Holidays

You have to make a list before you can check it twice! Thankfully, we’ve put together a list of great gifts that’ll have your recipients praising your glorious gift for gifting. All you have to do is check it twice.

 
Homemade Maple Pecan Pie made with Crown Royal
It’s everything you love about pie with a subtle kick of everything you love about bourbon. The infusion of Crown Royal Maple Bourbon highlights the seasonal flavors in every slice of sticky sweet perfection! But you’... Read More

Best Holiday Champagnes & Sparkling Wines - Spec's

Best Holiday Champagnes and Sparkling Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays, Wine

The best time of year is upon us – Holiday Season! What’s better than family, friends, and a bounty of bubbly?! Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve or even just a couple of days off work, ‘tis the season for some celebratory sparkles in your glass!

Of course, with this comes the issue of finding a good bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine that’ll impress both you and your guests. Well fret no more for Spec’s has narrowed it down to 4... Read More

Party Perfect Holiday Cocktail Recipes - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Perfect Holiday Cocktail Recipes

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Holidays

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party of just flexing your festivity at home, we’ve got you covered like white on Christmas with these delicious holiday cocktails that are sure to land you on the extra nice list!

 
Maker’s Mark Holiday Hibiscus
Ingredients

2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 tablespoon wild hibiscus syrup
Garnish: Wild hibiscus flower

Directions

Place all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir in with a bar spoon
... Read More

Gifts for Bourbon Lovers - Holiday Gifts at Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Gift Ideas for the Bourbon Lover

Spec’sology Blog, Gifts, Holidays, Spirits

If you’ve got a bourbon lover on your gift list, you’re already aware of their love for the spirit. So, now is your chance to show them you get it…and hope they’ll share some of their special stash with you.

Check out some of our favorite gifts for bourbon lovers from glassware to highly rated bourbons.

 
Stanly Matte Black Flask
“Retro.” “Classic.” Iconic.” “Sexy.” It doesn’t matter what you call it, all we know is that this sturdy flask has your back and ne... Read More