Amaro Montenegro 23% Vol. 0.7 L

Discover the distinctive character of Amaro Montenegro 23% Vol. 0.7L, a traditional Italian herbal liqueur celebrated for its harmonious balance of citrus freshness, aromatic herbs, gentle spices and bittersweet complexity. Crafted in Bologna since 1885, Amaro Montenegro combines 40 carefully selected botanicals to create a remarkably smooth and versatile Italian amaro.

With its signature amber colour and elegant botanical flavour, Amaro Montenegro offers an approachable introduction to the world of Italian herbal bitters. Notes of sweet orange peel, floral herbs and warming spices develop into a pleasantly bittersweet finish, making it equally suitable for enjoying neat, over ice or in classic and modern cocktails.

For Drinkero, Amaro Montenegro is particularly interesting as an alternative to Amaro Nonino in the Paper Plane cocktail. Its softer, more citrus-forward profile adds a distinctive herbal dimension while creating a slightly different interpretation of the original recipe.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Warm amber with golden reflections.

Aroma: Expressive orange peel, sweet citrus, aromatic herbs and delicate floral notes, complemented by subtle spices.

Palate: Smooth and rounded, combining sweet orange, herbal complexity, warming spices and gentle bitterness.

Finish: Long, aromatic and pleasantly bittersweet, with lingering citrus peel, herbs and subtle caramel-like sweetness.

An Italian Tradition Since 1885

Amaro Montenegro was created in Bologna, Italy, in 1885 by herbalist Stanislao Cobianchi. Originally introduced as Elisir Lungavita, the liqueur was later renamed in honour of Elena of Montenegro, who became Queen of Italy.

Inspired by a passion for botanicals and traditional herbal preparations, Cobianchi developed a complex recipe combining carefully selected aromatic ingredients from around the world.

More than a century later, Amaro Montenegro continues to be produced according to its closely guarded original formula.

Its unmistakable bottle shape reflects the brand's historic identity and has become one of the most recognisable designs among Italian herbal liqueurs.

Crafted from 40 Botanicals

The distinctive flavour of Amaro Montenegro comes from a secret blend of 40 botanicals sourced from different regions of the world.

These include selected herbs, roots, citrus peels, flowers, spices, seeds and aromatic woods. Together, they create the liqueur's characteristic balance of citrus, spice and herbal notes.

The production process combines traditional techniques including boiling, maceration and distillation to extract the aromatic properties of the botanicals.

The resulting extracts are carefully blended to create six distinct aromatic notes. A final highly concentrated botanical extract known as Il Premio completes the signature flavour.

This elaborate process gives Amaro Montenegro its smooth, layered character and distinguishes it from more intensely bitter styles of Italian amaro.

What Makes Amaro Montenegro Different?

Amaro Montenegro belongs to the Italian tradition of herbal liqueurs known as amari, which combine aromatic botanicals with varying degrees of sweetness and bitterness.

Compared with stronger, more aggressively bitter products such as Fernet-Branca, Amaro Montenegro is generally softer, more citrus-forward and more approachable.

Its flavour features sweet orange, delicate floral notes, herbs and warming spices rather than overwhelming medicinal bitterness.

At 23% alcohol by volume, it is also lower in strength than many traditional herbal bitters, making it especially versatile for mixed drinks.

Amaro Montenegro can be enjoyed on its own as a digestif, used in refreshing long drinks or combined with bourbon, gin and other spirits to introduce additional botanical complexity.

Perfect for Cocktails

With its balance of citrus, herbs, sweetness and gentle bitterness, Amaro Montenegro works particularly well in cocktails that benefit from additional aromatic depth.

Paper Plane Variation: Combine bourbon whiskey, Aperol, Amaro Montenegro and fresh lemon juice in equal proportions. The result is a refreshing bittersweet cocktail with a softer, more floral character than the original Paper Plane, which traditionally uses Amaro Nonino.

Montenegro Spritz: Combine Amaro Montenegro with chilled Prosecco and soda water over ice. Garnish with an orange slice for a refreshing Italian-style aperitif.

Montenegro & Tonic: Mix 50 ml Amaro Montenegro with 150 ml chilled tonic water over ice. Finish with an orange twist for a refreshing long drink that highlights its citrus and herbal character.

Monte Mule: Combine Amaro Montenegro with ginger beer and fresh lime juice. The combination of sweet citrus, herbal bitterness and spicy ginger creates a refreshing variation of a classic Mule-style cocktail.

Montenegro Negroni Variation: Use Amaro Montenegro in place of part of the bitter liqueur in a Negroni-inspired cocktail. Its sweeter, gentler character creates a softer herbal interpretation.

Monte Manhattan: Combine rye whiskey with Amaro Montenegro and aromatic bitters for a smooth, herbal variation of the Manhattan.

Serving Suggestions

Amaro Montenegro can be enjoyed neat, chilled, over ice or in a wide variety of cocktails.

For a traditional after-dinner serve, pour approximately 40 ml into a small glass and enjoy slightly chilled.

For a refreshing aperitif, serve 50 ml Amaro Montenegro over ice with tonic water and garnish with fresh orange.

For a simple sparkling cocktail, combine 50 ml Montenegro with 90 ml Prosecco and a splash of soda water in a wine glass filled with ice.

When using Amaro Montenegro as an alternative to Amaro Nonino in the Paper Plane, begin with the same quantity specified in the recipe and adjust according to taste. Montenegro is lower in alcohol and has a different balance of sweetness and bitterness, so the resulting cocktail will not be identical to the original.

Product Details

• Brand: Montenegro
• Product: Amaro Montenegro
• Country of origin: Italy
• Region: Bologna, Emilia-Romagna
• Spirit type: Italian Amaro / Herbal Liqueur
• Established: 1885
• Founder: Stanislao Cobianchi
• Botanical blend: 40 selected botanicals
• Flavour profile: Citrus, herbs, floral notes, spices and gentle bitterness
• Alcohol content: 23% Vol.
• Bottle size: 0.7L (700 ml)
• Colour: Amber
• EAN: 8000330001748
• Recommended use: Aperitifs, digestifs, cocktails and long drinks

Storage: Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. Serve chilled or over ice according to preference.

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