Skip advertisement Advertisement

Monterita

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (91)
Monterita image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 fl oz Reposado tequila (100% agave)
1 1⁄2 fl oz Amaro Montenegro
1⁄3 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄12 fl oz Agave syrup (agave nectar)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above.

How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Coupe glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lime wedge.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with lime wedge.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Monterita contains 224 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 20.34% alc./vol. (40.68° proof)
  • 22.4 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

An established amaro riff on the classic Margarita by yours truly.

More cocktails by Simon Difford

Review

Bittersweet citrusy Italian amaro replaces triple sec to make a Spaghetti Western of an aperitivo.

Difford’s Shop logo
$5.86 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 8 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Caspian Berggren Premium Member
I don't know, something feels off with these measurements. It says it's an 8/10 on the sourness scale with agave syrup yet I didn't include the syrup and still feel like it's maybe a 4 at most. Without the syrup it's still sweet but Tiki-balanced with the lime and bitterness. If you are looking for a Margarita-riff then this is way too sweet. I think 45:30:15ml would be a better ratio, with some agave syrup if needed.
score: 1
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
The component parts have the potential of resulting in a characterful drink. Recipe as written is way too Montenegro heavy for me. I went 2:1 tequila to amaro second time and it wasn't quite right, even after doubling the agave and adding 2 drops of saline. I want to make this work...
score: 2
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
We suspect that the problem may not be the volume of the Amaro but the particular Amaro chosen, Montenegro, which for us is a workhorse and not a racehorse (at 45ml, a racehorse is what we think might be required here). We might try Nardini, Braulio and Nonino Quintessentia to cover a few bases...maybe even Averna. We salute your perseverance.
score: 1
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
So it being a Saturday night and us not needing to be in church early Sunday morning, we did a side by side tasting: firstly, original recipe simply substituting Nardini for the Montenegro; secondly, same with Braulio; and thirdly, substituting Bianco for the Reposado, Nonino Quintessentia for the Montenegro and lemon for the lime. The Nardini variant was our favourite but the Nonino version was lovely too, with lemon or lime.
score: 0
Matthew Parshchikov
Perfect as is. And with a salt rim - mhhm!
score: 1
Peter Barth
This cocktail wishes to be a Jägerita; but isn't. Way too sweet, it hit's almost honey notes.
score: 1
Shannon Brown
A very enjoyable cocktail. Taste like a delicious boozy margarita with a strong floral finish. I really like how the flavors blend together, but also stand out alone. I made it just as written, and it’s perfectly balanced. Make sure to express the lime wedge garnish. 5 stars for me.
score: 0
Jose Cruz
Very good, however i think this could def. be enhanced by more lime and agave to make it more true to its name. Next time 20ml lime and 10ml agave for me.
score: 1
Peter Griffith Premium Member
Delicious! I made it with a vegan pechuga to add another layer of spice. Fabulous.
score: 1
Yossi Burg
Earthy, sweet/sour with that hint Turkish Delight. It even has a complex aroma which I love when enjoying different drinks and savouring.
Balance really does rely on the sweetness of the lime used.
score: 1
Christoph Henrici
A great mix, totally balanced…the agave syrup gives it a sweeter touch.
score: 2

Showing the first 9 of 12 comments.

View 12 comments and discussion

See more...

Aperitivo/aperitif Cocktails

Aperitivo/aperitif Cocktails image

Palate-cleansing, pre-dinner cocktails, often bittersweet and moderately alcoholic.

View more
Difford’s Shop logo
$5.86 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 8 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Beach House

Beach House Image

Reminiscent of a Naked & Famous turned tropical.

View more

Borough

Borough Image

A Manhattan variation created to help promote US-made Dubonnet Rouge, but is best made with French Dubonnet Red, or indeed another red quinquina.

View more

Roman Punch

Roman Punch Image

This recipe (by yours truly in August 2026) combines elements from various vintage Roman Punch recipes to produce a cooling fruity sour laced with...

View more

The Aftermath

The Aftermath Image

Most bartenders would stir this cocktail, as per Robin's original recipe. However, when shaken, this cocktail develops an attractive foamy head and a...

View more

Difford's House

Difford's House Image

My old tom gin version of the classic Holland House, mostly leaning on the recipe in Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book.

View more

Tango (by Mattia Capezzuoli)

Tango (by Mattia Capezzuoli) Image

A Cleansing riff on a Paloma with subtle bittersweetness.

View more