Sorry to tell you, but we’re stuck with the cold, snow, ice and wind for at least another month. To the rescue: Restaurant Alba’s winter cocktail menu, a mix of old favorites and new twists on classics that will warm you up from the inside out. I recently visited the cozy, sophisticated Malvern spot, which has been dishing out contemporary takes on rustic Italian fare for a decade, to sip my way through a quintet of cocktails whipped up by general manager Ana Sherman.
Since we know you’ll want to have a nibble while you imbibe—you won’t be able to resist Alba’s phenomenal menu—we asked Ana to share her recommendations for the best bites to complement your cocktail of choice. Salute!
Italian Gentleman
Not just for the guys but most definitely for bourbon lovers, the Italian Gentleman is Alba’s take on the Manhattan. The bourbon base remains, with Punt E Mes (a bittersweet Italian red vermouth) and Fernet-Branca (Italian bitters boasting 27 different herbs and spices) acting as dry foils to balance the sweetness of the whiskey, in this case a hefty pour of Knob Creek’s finest. A candied Amarena cherry acts as an upscale edible garnish.
Pair it with: The natural partner to bourbon? Pork. For a small bite, order the crostini of overnight pork with pickled onion and parsley caper salsa from the $5 “Hours of Happiness” menu, offered in Alba’s bar area from 4–6 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you’ve got a heartier appetite, dig into the winter bar menu’s Berkshire roast pork sandwich, topped with a garlic and bread-crumb salsa and parsley-caper sauce and served with a side of hand-cut fries.
Negroni Sbagliato
“Sbagliato” translates to “mistake”—a nod to Alba’s use of lambrusco rather than gin as the base of this traditional-made-modern cocktail. Swapping in lambrusco balances out the Campari to give the deep-red beauty a touch of sweetness and a fruity, fizzy finish. Top-notch Carpano Antica vermouth seals the deal.
Pair it with: For a classic European pairing, order the assorted salumi plate, also on Alba’s winter bar menu. Four meats (traditionally prosciutto, salami, pancetta and lardo), olives and grilled bread are a natural Old World partner for this very New World cocktail.
Tangerine Sour
No pre-made sour mixes or powders here. Alba shakes up this frothy, light-as-air cocktail with brandy, fresh-squeezed tangerine juice, simple syrup, eggs whites and lemon juice (also fresh-squeezed). The result: an easy-to-drink concoction with just the right balance of sweet and sour.
Pair it with: Alba’s wood-grilled flatbread topped with house-made pork sausage, braised kale, honey and egg (from the winter dinner menu) will add a bit of saltiness to the side of your sweet-sour cocktail, creating the perfect balance of three distinct tastes. Take the harmony one step further—this plate is great for sharing with a friend.
Blood Orange Bellini
Prosecco, brandy and fresh-squeezed blood orange juice create a celebratory sip that showcases in-season citrus. The popularity of this light, bright cocktail last winter guaranteed its return to the menu this year. Raise a toast to its comeback and reap the added benefit of a healthy dose of vitamin C.
Pair it with: Ana recommends pairing your Blood Orange Bellini with the pancetta-wrapped shrimp, also on the winter dinner menu, to allow the classic combination of citrus and seafood to shine. In the dish, perfectly cooked shrimp from Alba’s wood-burning grill is served atop roasted sweet potato–infused farrota (farro cooked risotto-style).
Baci Bianco
Best described as fun, fruity and festive, this martini marries Stoli Vanil, amaretto, creme de cacao and pineapple and cranberry juices for those who prefer their cocktails on the sweet side. One sip and you’ll be thinking of springtime and sunnier days ahead, when Alba plans to re-open its outdoor deck for more food and cocktail adventures.
Pair it with: Match a bit of sweetness with a bit of earthiness and pair the Baci Bianco with Alba’s bruschette topped with chestnut and chickpea ragu and feta cheese. Just $5 on the dinner menu, the dish is one of five different bruschette options served Monday through Thursday from 5–9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5–10 p.m.
Restaurant Alba is located at 7 W. King St. in Malvern; phone: (610) 644-4009.
Photo credits: Michele Kornegay
