Yes. Specialty Blends’ products are manufactured to the highest ABV% level legally allowed by each state. In Texas, for example, that is 17% ABV.

Virtually any traditional cocktail recipe can be made with Specialty Blends wine. Our products will allow you to create popular cocktails such as margaritas, cosmopolitans, daiquiris, piña coladas, Bloody Marys, screwdrivers, mai tais, kamikazes, sex on the beach, mojitos, and the list goes on.

The primary difference between a “traditional” liquor cocktail and a Specialty Blends cocktail is that you “double-up” on the alcohol portion. For example, if your recipe calls for 1 oz. of tequila, use 2 oz. of Barajas and reduce the amount of water to achieve the same alcohol by volume in the drink.

The law does not specify the quantity you can serve. We recommend that you follow responsible vendor guidelines and adjust according to taste.

Any mixer will work, but we recommend you account for the additional liquid (twice as much wine as spirits) by reducing the amount of water called for in the traditional recipe. Use as high a quality mixer as possible, as this is really what affects the taste the most. You might even want to try a frozen “bourbon and cola” using concentrated cola syrup and our Old Hays Reserve whiskey-flavored wine.

Although Specialty Blends products were not originally intended to drink straight, some customers have had success with it. Our products taste like a lighter, mellower version of the traditional straight liquor, and a drinker will not get the same bite they expect from a shot. The preferred method for serving Specialty Blends products is in frozen cocktails and mixed drinks.

Add the cocktails to your regular menu, create a special bar menu, and have the waitstaff offer a cocktail as the customer is being seated. Feature daily drink specials as a way to experiment with new cocktail recipes. In addition to table tents, which we provide at no additional charge, your Specialty Blends representative will work with you to help create a successful program.

You are serving a Specialty Blends cocktail. You may also give the alcohol content of your drink if asked. Per request, Specialty Blends can calculate the alcohol by volume according to your specific recipe.

Traditional liquor is a distilled alcohol, or a spirit, and is not legal to serve with a beer and wine license, regardless of the alcohol volume. Specialty Blends products are fermented, and therefore classified as vinous (wine).

A bar blender and ice, with the right mix and recipe, is all you need to get started. A frozen drink machine is not necessary until your frozen drink sales reach the point where a blender won’t keep up.

We recommend that you start by featuring one standard, popular cocktail like the margarita, and a different daily drink special. Serve them in the appropriate glassware and garnish with fresh fruit, paper umbrellas, or colorful stir sticks to grab attention. Get your customers used to having cocktails available in your establishment, and then expand your drink menu.

It’s easy — just call us at (512) 858-7414. All we need is billing, shipping and payment information, your tax ID, and your state’s beer & wine license number.

We ship all orders within 24 hours (excluding weekends and shipping holidays). Small orders (1 to 9 cases) ship via FedEx and UPS Ground. Orders of ten cases or more ship on a freight carrier.

Our turnaround time is quick: most customers receive their order the next business day, and others within two business days.