Montenegro Spritz

The Montenegro Spritz is a delightful and effervescent cocktail that perfectly balances bittersweet orange notes with the crispness of prosecco. It serves as a lighter, more floral alternative to the classic Aperol Spritz, offering complex herbal and vanilla undertones from the Amaro Montenegro. Easy to make and incredibly refreshing, it has become a modern favorite for warm weather and social gatherings around the world.
Montenegro Spritz

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Montenegro Spritz is a contemporary Italian aperitif cocktail. It belongs to the hugely popular spritz family of drinks, which are characterized by their combination of a bitter liqueur, sparkling wine, and soda water. It's enjoyed globally as a refreshing pre-dinner drink.

Serving

Served cold with plenty of ice in a large wine glass, the Montenegro Spritz is a visually appealing and refreshing drink. Its relatively low alcohol content makes it an excellent sessionable cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 180-240 ml / 6-8 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 8-11% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Large wine glass
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

While the spritz cocktail has roots dating back to the 19th century in the Veneto region of Italy, the Montenegro Spritz is a more modern creation. It gained significant popularity in the 21st century as cocktail enthusiasts and bartenders sought new variations on the classic spritz formula. The drink leverages the unique flavor profile of Amaro Montenegro, an Italian herbal liqueur first produced in Bologna in 1885, to create a sophisticated and balanced aperitif.
Origin
Italy, early 21st century.

Montenegro Spritz

The drink is primarily known as the Montenegro Spritz, a modern and popular take on the classic Italian aperitif. It is sometimes referred to more formally as the Amaro Montenegro Spritz to specify the brand of amaro used, distinguishing it from other spritz variations.
Original name
Montenegro Spritz
Alternative name
Amaro Montenegro Spritz

Characteristics overview

This spritz boasts a bittersweet flavor profile with distinct notes of orange, herbs, and vanilla, complemented by a floral aroma. It is light-bodied, effervescent, and finishes cleanly, making it exceptionally refreshing.
Flavor
Bittersweet, orange, floral, herbal, vanilla, crisp
Aroma
Orange peel, rose petals, coriander, vanilla
Taste balance
Balanced, bittersweet, slightly sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, pleasant, lingering herbal bitterness
Fizziness
Bubbly, effervescent
Color appearance
Light amber, golden orange, clear
Texture
Light-bodied, crisp, watery
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, year-round aperitif

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is defined by a gentle bitterness and moderate fruitiness from the orange notes, with very low sweetness and sourness. It is highly carbonated and has a light alcohol presence.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This simple spritz requires just three liquid ingredients: Amaro Montenegro, chilled Prosecco, and a splash of soda water. The quality of each component, especially the fresh and cold prosecco, will elevate the final drink.
  • Amaro Montenegro60 ml / 2 oz
    The key ingredient that provides the signature bittersweet flavor.
  • Prosecco90 ml / 3 oz
    Must be well-chilled. A dry (Brut) Prosecco works best.
  • Soda Water30 ml / 1 oz
    Also known as club soda or seltzer water. Used to top the drink and add effervescence.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed beyond a bar spoon for a gentle stir. The drink is built directly in the serving glass, making it very easy to prepare.
  • Bar spoon for gentle stirring

Instructions

The Montenegro Spritz is built directly in a large, ice-filled wine glass. Simply add the ingredients in order, give it a brief stir, garnish, and serve immediately to preserve its bubbly character.
1. Fill a large wine glass to the top with ice cubes.
2. Pour in 60 ml (2 oz) of Amaro Montenegro over the ice.
3. Gently pour in 90 ml (3 oz) of chilled Prosecco.
4. Top with 30 ml (1 oz) of soda water.
5. Give the drink a very gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
6. Garnish with a fresh orange slice, tucking it into the glass amongst the ice.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Garnishing

A simple slice of fresh orange is the perfect garnish, complementing the citrus notes in the amaro and adding to the visual appeal.
  • Orange slice, placed inside the glass

Dietary Information

This drink is alcoholic but generally free from common allergens like caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. It is typically suitable for both vegetarian and vegan diets, though it's wise to check the fining process of the specific prosecco used.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively light cocktail in terms of calories, typically containing around 160 kcal per serving. Most of its carbohydrates and calories come from the sugar content in the amaro and the prosecco.
Calories
Averagely 150-180 kcal / 628-753 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14-18 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This light and refreshing aperitif is perfect for a sunny afternoon, a pre-dinner drink, or any social gathering. Its relatively low alcohol content makes it an ideal choice for happy hour, brunch, or casual get-togethers where sessionable drinks are preferred.
  • Happy hour
  • Summer party
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Brunch
  • Social gathering

Pairing suggestions

The Montenegro Spritz pairs beautifully with classic Italian aperitivo snacks. Its bittersweet profile cuts through rich and salty foods, making it an excellent companion for charcuterie boards, hard cheeses, marinated olives, and savory bites. The goal is to contrast the drink's refreshing nature with something salty and flavorful.
  • Charcuterie boards
  • Olives and nuts
  • Light cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino
  • Salty snacks like potato chips or focaccia
  • Bruschetta with tomatoes

Montenegro Spritz: The Elegant Bittersweet Refresher

The Montenegro Spritz is a wonderfully refreshing and easy-to-make Italian aperitif. It offers a more complex, floral, and less sweet alternative to the ubiquitous Aperol Spritz, showcasing the unique bittersweet orange and herbal notes of Amaro Montenegro. Built directly in the glass with prosecco and soda, it’s an elegant, effervescent, and sessionable cocktail perfect for any sunny occasion or pre-dinner moment. Its simplicity and sophisticated flavor have made it a modern classic in the world of spritzes.

Similar Cocktails

Aperol Spritz

Uses Aperol instead of Amaro Montenegro, resulting in a brighter orange color and a less complex, more straightforward bittersweet rhubarb and orange flavor.

Campari Spritz

Uses Campari, which makes the drink more intensely bitter, with a vibrant red hue and prominent notes of grapefruit and herbs.

Hugo Spritz

Replaces the amaro with elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain) and is garnished with mint and lime, resulting in a sweeter, highly floral, and less bitter drink.

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