novara fresco

1/2 oz Campari
1/2 oz Cardamaro
1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz Lemon Juice

Shake with ice and strain into a coupe glass. Top with 2-3 oz Casteller Cava and twist a lemon peel over the top.

Two Tuesdays ago, we traveled down the street to visit Sarma which has taken over the old Paddock space in Gilman Square (Winter Hill), Somerville. It was rather amazing to see what they had done with the locale, and when we found seats at the bar, it was surreal to think that we sat in that exact area last time we were there at a table right next to the place were local crooners were doing karaoke. But we were not there to marvel at the decor, but to try the food from the kitchen of Oleana's sister establishment and the drink from Island Creek Oyster Bar alum Vikram Hedge and his crew.
For a first libation, I asked Vik for the Novara Fresco -- a sparkling cocktail that was named as a reference to where Campari was invented in Italy in 1860. Once mixed, Campari and citrus notes filled the nose. A carbonated lemon and grape sip led into a swallow that began with Campari's complex flavors. Finally, the swallow finished with a delightful combination of pineapple and white wine notes.