Texas Craft Breweries to Visit - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

5 Texas Craft Breweries to Visit This Summer

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
Is it really summer without a road trip to some Texas breweries? The answer is no. So, if you’ve never made a day of hitting the taps across Texas, you’ll want to check out some excellent breweries listed below and start plotting your course to Lonestar refreshment! Spoetzl Brewery – Shiner, Texas Located in Shiner, Texas it’s the oldest independent brewery in the state. They produce a diverse line of Shiner beers with the most popular being Shiner Bock. They also have a wonderful se... Read More
Evolution of The Whiskey Sour - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

The Evolution of The Whiskey Sour

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits
First appearing in Jerry Thomas’ The Bartender’s Guide in 1862, the Whiskey Sour had been around decades earlier as a way to combat scurvy in sailors. Ships would stock up on citrus fruits on shore while the sailors brought liquors like rum or whiskey on board, so they had something safe to drink during months at sea. The citrus (typically lemon) was mixed with a liquor and water to create a drink that would not only quench thirst, but also effectively prevent the onset of scurvy. Sailors sp... Read More
Italian Wine Cocktails

4 Simple Italian Wine Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Wine
How do you make happy hour even better? Simple, you just turn your glass of wine into a cocktail! It’s easier than it sounds and requires zero mystical powers (a plus for us muggles). We’ll be focusing on Italian wine cocktails, but feel free to do some experimenting based on the recipes below!   Lambrusco Sangria Ingredients 1 ounce brandy 1 ounce Tuscan Sangiovese wine ¾ ounce blood orange juice ½ ounce Cherry Heering ¼ ounce Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao ¼ ounce lime juice Lambrus... Read More
Top 5 Prosecco Wines - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Top 5 Prosecco Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Prosecco is one of the most famous and appreciated Italian wines in the world due to its great pleasantness and versatility. If you don’t know much about Prosecco, you will after this article! Prosecco’s Bubbly History Prosecco is made from a blend of grapes that must be at least 85% glera, with the rest being local and international varieties including verdiso, bianchetta trevigiana, perera, chardonnay, pinot bianco, pinot grigio and pinot noir. The Glera grape is thought to be of Slove... Read More
Tropical Rum Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Tropical Rum Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
There’s just something about the taste of a tropical rum cocktail that can instantly transport you to a palm tree-lined beach. The steel drums fade in as the surf tickles your toes and the fresh saltwater air dances under your nose. No matter where you’re sitting, all it takes is one sip of paradise in a glass to have you longing for some serious R&R. So, in lieu of sunburns and jellyfish, we’ve put together a few of our favorite, lesser known, tropical rum cocktails that’ll have you... Read More
The Best New Seltzers of 2022 - Spec's

The Best New Seltzers of Summer 2022

Spec’sology Blog, Seltzers
An ice-cold hard seltzer by the pool is pretty much the perfect day, but with so many options out there you could get a little heated just trying to decide how to keep cool! Thankfully, you know a guy who knows the guys that make the stuff…we’re that first guy. So, without any further ado, Spec’s presents the best new seltzers of summer 2022!   Spritz Society Spritz Society takes real, recognizable ingredients and packs them into convenient sparkling cocktails you can take anywhere. T... Read More
Tequila Slush Recipes - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Tequila Slushes Recipes

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits
When it’s this hot out the only thing sweating should be your ice-cold beverage. And that’ll definitely be the case when you’re celebrating National Tequila Day with one of our highly recommended slushes in hand! Whether you’re lounging by the pool, grilling at a cookout, or just unwinding after a long hot day, these delicious frozen tequila cocktails are surprisingly easy to make with just a blender, some ice and a handful of ingredients. If slushes aren’t your thing, be sure to c... Read More
The Dirty Shirley & Other Vintage Cocktails - Spec's

The Dirty Shirley & Other Vintage Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits
The summer’s hottest sipper is a refreshingly delightful twist on the vintage Shirley Temple – introducing the Dirty Shirley! The Shirley Temple may have been invented in the 1930s by a bartender at Chasen’s, a restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, to serve then-child actress Shirley Temple. Of course, there are other claims to its origin, but we like that one best. The Shirley Temple has been a favorite drink order for kids since the 1930s, but in the hands of crafty adults, it... Read More
5 Daiquiri Twists - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

5 Daiquiri Recipes With A Twist

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits
July is blender season at Spec’s! Nothing makes hosting easier than simply dumping ingredients into a blender and then pouring out cups of delicious sunshine to eager guests. And there isn’t an easier go-to cocktail than the classic daiquiri. Made with only 3 ingredients: rum, sugar, and lime; the daiquiri is the perfect drink to hone your bartending skills. With a few simple additions, you’ll be slinging top-shelf tropical delight in no time! Check out some of our favorite daiquiri twists... Read More
The Best Summer Chardonnays Under $30 - Spec's

The Best Summer Chardonnays Under $30

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
If you love white wine, specifically chardonnay, but don’t want to break your budget, you’re in luck as these are some of the best chardonnay wines under $30 that are both delicious and wallet-friendly. Chardonnay is native to Burgundy where winemakers embrace a spectrum of styles, from steely, edgy, and chalky to creamy, rich, and golden. Because the grape is so easy to grow, it’s now ubiquitous around the globe, planted in wine regions from Chile to California to New Zealand. Chardonnay ... Read More
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