Amaro Montenegro

Amaro Montenegro is one of Italy’s best-known herbal liqueurs, and it’s been doing its thing since 1885. Created in Bologna by herbalist and self-described alchemist Stanislao Cobianchi, it began life as Elisir Lungavita before being renamed in honour of Princess Elena of Montenegro, who later became Queen of Italy. That’s a pretty grand backstory for something that’s just as happy poured over ice at the end of a meal.

The secret to Montenegro is its blend of 40 botanicals, drawn from around the world. Herbs, spices, citrus peel, flowers, roots and dried fruit all play their part, with the full recipe kept firmly under wraps. The ingredients go through a combination of extraction and distillation before being blended into the finished liqueur. It’s a process built around balancing a lot of different flavours rather than letting any one botanical steal the show.

In the glass, Montenegro is bittersweet, aromatic and remarkably approachable. Expect sweet orange and other citrus notes alongside warming spice, floral hints and earthy herbs, with a gentle bitterness keeping the sweetness in check. It has plenty going on without being aggressively bitter or medicinal, which makes it a good introduction to the world of amaro if you’re not quite ready for the more challenging end of the category.

Traditionally served as a digestif, Montenegro is excellent neat or over ice, but it’s far from a one-trick pony. It also earns its place behind the bar, bringing herbal complexity and bittersweet character to cocktails. Try it with soda and a slice of orange for an easy aperitivo, or use it to put a softer, more aromatic spin on classics such as the Negroni.

There’s a reason this one has stuck around for well over a century. Amaro Montenegro combines genuine Italian heritage with a flavour profile that’s layered but easy to enjoy, whether you’re exploring Italian liqueurs for the first time or simply want something versatile to keep in the drinks cabinet. A proper classic, without any need to make a song and dance about it.