Good drink pairing for Pasta Dinner?...?!
Good drink pairing for Pasta Dinner?...?
Im making manicotti , a salad, and garlic bread for dinner tonight. Im looking for a mixed alcoholic drink (maybe something "italian" ) to serve with it... any ideas?
Answers:
I would go with a nice Italian white wine. Well, it doesn't have to be an Italian wine, but that would keep with the theme. Even a zinfandel would pair well with pasta.
How about an Italian Margarita?
1 oz amaretto almond liqueur
2 oz sweet and sour mix
1/2 oz Jose Cuervo? Especial gold tequila
1/2 oz triple sec
Something light and sweet so you don't overwhelm the flavor. Yout might try a champagne and amaretto (or peach schnapps, though that is a little to frou-frou for my tastes. If you want something stronger, Absolut Citron with a bit of Limoncello would make a nice italian martini.
The obvious choice would be Campari and soda as an apertif, and an Italian wine paired with whatever you're stuffing in the manicotti, perhaps a better Lambrusco (not the screw-top bottle stuff).
Here's an absolute classic and simple italian cocktail called a negroni. Here's how to make it: stir equal parts gin, vermouth and campari together and pour over ice into a short glass. It is meant as an apertif (a pre-dinner cocktail). With dinner i'd suggest serving wine since the strong flavors in cocktails would overpower those in the food. I'd suggest a red wine for this. Specifically, i'd reccommend Zinfindel, or (even better if you can find it), an Italian wine called Chianti would be perfect with a pasta dish.
Campari and Soda is a traditional Italian beverage, however its a very bitter and distinct flavour. Won't appeal to the typical drinker. Wine would also be my first choice however. If not then a Italian beer.
Birra Moretti comes to mind.
Or perhaps a Amaretto Sour
Amaretto Di Saronno
Lime Juice
Soda
Over ice or Shaken and Strained into a martini glass.
Who cares Sam Adams is the Best Beer with any meal.
Korbel
Limoncello for sipping before and after the meal - I keep mine in the freezer. Chianti or good Italian red table wine with the meal. Also, when you serve dessert and coffee, Tia Maria is a good "spike the coffee" thing to have on hand.
I suggest a nice vintage dark Pepsi or if you like whites maybe a rare Sprite! Soda rules!!! "Good Luck"
find a tasty italian liquor and pour it with an italian carbonated water, makes a great soda. u could of course go with the obvious red wine, n put a splash in the sauce too :)