New Haven’s Gioia debuted a new cocktail menu in January as part of its latest activation, The Red Sauce Joint by Gioia. During the seasonal promotion, open Friday through Sunday until April 27, Gioia’s enclosed rooftop was converted into a space reminiscent of a mom-and-pop Italian American restaurant complete with red-and-white checkered tablecloths, string lights and Italian greenery with classic dishes and a seasonal drink menu. Menu items include fried muzz, scarol and white bean soup, cannelloni and mini veal osso bucco, along with the venue’s Wooster Squares, its square-shaped “Grandma-style” pizzas named for the venue’s Wooster Street location, known as New Haven’s Little Italy. The wine list features selections from around the world, with a focus on Italian regions, served in a jelly jar glass, with seasonal craft cocktails made with Italian ingredients including The Grasshopper Remix: Bumbu Rum, Velvet Falernum, Pairidaeza Menthe Blanche Liqueur, Vedrenne Liqueur de Cacao Blanc and whipping cream; the nonalcoholic Italian Crème Soda: Fever-Tree Soda Water, citrus oleo, orange blossom water and whipping cream; and The La Gioia di Vivere: Greenall’s Gin, Carpano Bianco Vermouth, fresh thyme syrup and Badger Bevs Tonic Water.

Photos by EPG Creative.