Alla Gricia

Pairing drinks with carbonara is tricky business. You need something that can stand up to all that pepper and cheese without getting lost, but also won't weigh you down when you're already committed to a plate of pasta and guanciale. The Alla Gricia answers that call with a savory flip built on sweet vermouth and fino sherry. Think of it as carbonara's liquid counterpart: the egg white gives you that silky, coating texture, while generous black pepper mirrors the dish's signature spice. Carpano Antica or Cocchi di Torino brings herbaceous depth, and the fino sherry adds a nutty, almost cheese-like quality that echoes aged Pecorino. Black walnut bitters tie it all together with earthy richness. That parmesan crisp perched on the rim? Not just for show. It's a salty, umami punch that makes the whole thing feel like an extension of your meal. Serve this before dinner as an aperitivo that actually prepares your palate, or alongside your pasta as the most sophisticated pairing move you'll make all week.