Spirits

Best Scotches Under $100 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Scotches Under $100

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits
It’s Scotch Month at Spec’s and we’re celebrating in style! But first, a quick summary of what scotch is and a couple of different types. What Is Scotch? So, what needs to be in a Scotch in order to be able to call it Scotch? It must be produced, bottled, and distilled in Scotland. Must be based on barley and water and must be aged in casks for at least three years. Whole grains and other cereal can be added to the malted barley mash in order to produce different flavor varieties. Probably... Read More
Best Sakes Under $30 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Saké Under $30

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits
When you think about saké you probably think about Japan and rice, and you’d be correct on both counts. Saké, the oldest known spirit in the world, is often incorrectly referred to as rice wine. Rice wine, like Western wine with grapes, is made from the fermentation of rice. While saké is indeed made from rice, it goes through a brewing process where starch is converted to alcohol much like how beer is brewed, although the ABV is substantially higher than either beer or wine. Wine typically... Read More
The History Of Horchata - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

The History of Horchata

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits
It’s a fact, horchata is delicious. Sweet, slightly creamy, and highly refreshing! Mexican Horchata is what dreams are made of. But where did these dreams start? The type of horchata that dates back to antiquity is a drink more specifically called “horchata de chufa,” made from ground and sweetened tiger nuts. Horchata de chufa originated in North Africa around 2400 B.C, and with the Roman conquest of Egypt, the drink was dubbed “hordeata.”  The drink was heralded for its “cooling q... Read More
Essential American Whiskey Cocktails - Spec's

Essential American Whiskey Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits
It may be hard to hear, much less comprehend, but not everyone is a fan of sipping straight whiskey. Personal preference aside, there will come a time when even a diehard whiskey purist must admit a whiskey cocktail is what’s called for. It could be you end up hosting a gathering where not everyone drinks straight spirits. It could be one of those lovely 104 degrees days in Texas. Or you might have ended up with a bottle of something you don’t particularly care for on its own. This is when k... 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
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
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

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 without... 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 Patrón Añejo 3 oz... Read More