Amaro Montenegro
Amaro Montenegro is an Italian bittersweet liqueur at 23% ABV, so 25ml is about 0.6 UK units. Per Difford’s Guide it is flavoured with 40 botanicals, including liquorice root, nutmeg and sweet and bitter oranges. Our M & M pours 40ml of it against 40ml of mezcal over one large cube. The maker’s site prints 23% on its footer. Difford’s Guide gives the same figure and calls it an Italian bitter liqueur.
Quick Facts
Capped, out of direct sunlight. The fridge is not needed.
None of the 14 listed allergens. None declared on the pages we read. Check the bottle.
About Amaro Montenegro
Flavour Profile
Primary Flavours
Tasting Notes
Difford’s reviewer lists mandarin, coriander, white pepper, cherry, vanilla and clove, sweet first and then mildly bitter.
Two sources agree on 23%
The maker’s site prints Amaro Montenegro 23% Alc/Vol, produced and bottled by Montenegro Srl. Difford’s Guide gives 23% alc./vol., an Italian bitter liqueur flavoured with 40 botanicals including liquorice root, nutmeg and sweet and bitter oranges. Difford’s says it was created in 1885 by the distiller and herbalist Stanislao Cobianchi, and that the name honours Princess Elena of Montenegro, who married Victor Emmanuel III in 1896.
A liqueur by strength, and lighter than most amari
Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, as retained in UK law, puts liqueur at 15% ABV and over, with a 100 gram sugar floor in most cases. Montenegro clears the strength line at 23% and Difford’s Guide names it a liqueur; its sugar content is unpublished, so we give no figure. Amaro explained sets out the lines. Difford’s reviewer found it sweeter, fruitier and lighter in colour than many other amari.
Amaro Montenegro beside four bottles on our pages (strengths as printed on those pages)
Amaro Montenegro
- Strength
- 23%
- UK units in 25ml
- 0.6
- Category on our pages
- Liqueur
Averna
- Strength
- 29%
- UK units in 25ml
- 0.7
- Category on our pages
- Liqueur
Cynar
- Strength
- 16.5%
- UK units in 25ml
- 0.4
- Category on our pages
- Liqueur
Campari
- Strength
- 25%
- UK units in 25ml
- 0.6
- Category on our pages
- Liqueur
Aperol
- Strength
- 11%
- UK units in 25ml
- 0.3
- Category on our pages
- Below the 15% minimum, so not a liqueur
| Bottle | Strength | UK units in 25ml | Category on our pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amaro Montenegro | 23% | 0.6 | Liqueur |
| Averna | 29% | 0.7 | Liqueur |
| Cynar | 16.5% | 0.4 | Liqueur |
| Campari | 25% | 0.6 | Liqueur |
| Aperol | 11% | 0.3 | Below the 15% minimum, so not a liqueur |
In the M & M it is half the glass
The M & M is 40ml of mezcal and 40ml of Amaro Montenegro, stirred and poured over one large cube. The amaro supplies 0.9 of the drink’s 2.5 UK units. Difford’s Guide, whose recipe we follow, allows any amaro and names Montenegro as the example, so Averna, Cynar or Amaro Nonino can take its place.
Using Amaro Montenegro
Usage
Pour 40ml with 40ml of mezcal, stir, and strain over one large cube for an M & M. Traditionally amari are served chilled and neat as a digestive, or with tonic over ice as an aperitif, per Difford’s Guide.
Pro Tip
In a two-ingredient drink the bottles do all the work. Taste the amaro and the mezcal separately, then adjust only the mezcal.
Top Tips
- Count units at 23%: 25ml is about 0.6.
- Keep the cap on and the bottle out of the light.
- Taste it neat before it goes in a stirred drink. It is a lighter amaro, so a darker bottle changes a recipe.
Possible Substitutions
- Averna: A Sicilian amaro at 29% ABV on our page; Difford’s Guide allows any amaro in the M & M
- Cynar: At 16.5% ABV on our page, an artichoke amaro that is lighter in strength
- Amaro Nonino: At 35% ABV on our guide, a stronger amaro made on grape distillate
Production Method
Per Difford’s Guide: flavoured with 40 botanicals, including liquorice root, nutmeg and sweet and bitter oranges. The maker does not publish the recipe.
History & Context
Difford’s Guide says Amaro Montenegro was created in 1885 by the distiller and herbalist Stanislao Cobianchi, and that the name honours Princess Elena of Montenegro on her marriage to Victor Emmanuel III in 1896.
More to explore
Common Questions
What is Amaro Montenegro?
How strong is Amaro Montenegro?
Is Amaro Montenegro a liqueur?
Does Amaro Montenegro contain allergens?
How long does Amaro Montenegro keep once opened?
What can I use instead of Amaro Montenegro?
How do I drink Amaro Montenegro?
Sources.
Correct as of 1 November 2026.
- Montenegro (producer website), “Amaro Montenegro” (footer text: Amaro Montenegro 23% Alc/Vol; produced and bottled by Montenegro Srl).
- Difford’s Guide, “Montenegro Amaro” (secondary source: 23% alc./vol.; Italian bitter liqueur; 40 botanicals including liquorice root, nutmeg and sweet and bitter oranges; created 1885 by Stanislao Cobianchi; name honours Princess Elena of Montenegro; tasting review).
- Difford’s Guide, “Amari” (category page: amaro is not defined in the EU categories; traditionally served chilled and neat as a digestive, or with tonic over ice as an aperitif).
- legislation.gov.uk, “Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex II (as retained in UK law)” (category 32, liqueur: minimum 15% ABV and 100g/L sugar in most cases).
- NHS, “Calculating alcohol units” (units from ABV and volume; the 14-units-a-week guidance, spread over 3 or more days).
From the Guides
Made with Amaro Montenegro
Featured In These Cocktails
Often Used With
Guide by Jerry Can Spirits · Updated 1 November 2026