Tasting notes: Of all the Casamara Club sodas, the Alta was our favorite, thanks to its blend of zingy citrus, savory juniper, and heady allspice. The company describes it as a spin on a Negroni. And, sure, we picked up on the orange and the warming spices, with some notes of floral jasmine and licorice, too. But the Casamara Club sodas are very, very light, with just a whisper of flavoring and sugar. Among the drinks we tried, they seemed closest to a bottled version of bitters and soda. Alta is clear-colored, with big bubbles that give it a tongue-tingling bite (Casamara Club also sells the drink in a canned version, if you prefer a subtler bubble). Though these sodas are so diluted that a comparison to an amaro feels like a stretch, they have some of the same herbal and cinnamony flavors that make that class of digestifs so satisfying and versatile. We liked it as a before-dinner drink, in line with the Italian aperitivo tradition. We found ourselves reaching for Alta on evenings when we wanted a drink after work, and we’ve been grateful to see Casamara Club’s sodas on menus around town. Enjoying a cocktail comes down to more than just how the drink tastes, and Casamara Club’s presentation helps make the sodas feel mature. The brown glass bottles feature pastel, art deco designs depicting enticing, escapist scenes of river sailing, sunsets, and mountains. Popping the cap gives the chance for a little exhale.
