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M & M
Deliciously simple, boozy, vaguely Negroni-like, very tasty and perfect for late-night sipping
Ian Cummins
10th August at 03:56
Had a shot both with ice (as per the instructions) and neat, using Vecchio Amaro del Campo and Banhez mezcal, and it was amazing. Strangely enough, I think I may prefer it neat.
18th July at 11:21
I had some 100 Conejos mezcal I hadn't been drinking (it's a bit vile) and decided to give it a roll with some Montenegro and I think I've found a use for it. With some orange bitters and saline I find it a good "last cocktail of the night" and quite pleasant.
12th May at 01:29
Swapped Montenegro for Vecchio Amaro Del Capo and wow! So much more depth, less sweet and complex. Highly recommend.
10th August at 03:54
Wow, you're right on the money. On top of that, it drinks so nicely neat.
22nd April at 05:19
Ordered this last weekend at the bar in a $$$$ restaurant in a very swanky Las Vegas casino, which shall remain nameless (although it's right across Flamingo Road from Caesar's Palace). Bartender had never heard of it so I explained the recipe and he made a great drink for me with Del Maguey Puebla Mezcal. My wife ordered a White Negroni; he'd never heard of that, either (nor of Salers, Suze, or Luxardo Bitter Bianco), so she had a Martini instead.
14th December 2024 at 15:57
I tried this today after reading about it in Punch. It works for me with a dash of chocolate bitters & 2 drops of saline solution
10th December 2024 at 00:00
It's surprisingly balanced for its build with only two ingredients but it needs the vinous tones of vermouth to become balanced like a Negroni. I do like the idea of it as a shot though. It's such a unique flavour combination to work as a shot but as a drink it's slightly off balance.
27th October 2024 at 03:50
To supplement a previous comment - I like the M&M, but wanted to try other amari - see my comment below. I tried Aperol - good, but think the Aperol thins it out a bit too much at a 1:1 ratio, so I'd try 60:40, or maybe 2:1 Mezcal:Aperol. I also tried Romana Amaro (strong tangerine/citrus note) - it was ok - the Romana overwhelmed the Mezcal - I'd definitely need to cut back the Romana Amaro to about a 3:1 ratio.
27th October 2024 at 03:45
I like mezcal and I like amaro - so this concept was very appealing. I tried the M&M recipe and was struck by how the combo brought out vegetal notes that I don't get from either ingredient in isolation. Very nice, smoky and vegetal and some sweet - I liked it. I also like rabarbaro amari, and so I tried this with Sfumato as the amaro (Sfumato overwhelms the mezcal - becomes a larger glass of Sfumato - not recommended). I am filing another comment with other amari notes.
17th August 2024 at 14:44
Tried the Monténégro version which was quite nice. The obvious pairing for me was Cynar - vegetal, intense, bittersweet. Worked much better in my opinion. Used a Meyer lemon twist, which is a cross between orange and lemon. Perro de San Juan mezcal. Delish!
30th July at 08:20
Thank you for your suggestion, John!
I had the advertised Vida Del Maguey mezcal, which is quite smokey. Felt I had to go closer to a mezcal 1 to Cynar 1.5+.
Loved your suggestion at that ratio.
I had the advertised Vida Del Maguey mezcal, which is quite smokey. Felt I had to go closer to a mezcal 1 to Cynar 1.5+.
Loved your suggestion at that ratio.
6th May 2024 at 15:11
I used Del Maguey Vida mezcal. maybe good as a shot, and it is definitely an "interesting" drink...but like some previous reviewers, I don't know that I'll make another on the rocks any time soon. feels like a really good idea that needs something to balance it out.
Gary Walther's suggestion of Nonino plus orange bitters/grapefruit twist might be a better drink for my palette (though I do love Montenegro in other drinks).
Gary Walther's suggestion of Nonino plus orange bitters/grapefruit twist might be a better drink for my palette (though I do love Montenegro in other drinks).
5th May 2024 at 03:12
I have always liked the Reanimator (equal parts Amaro Nonino & Rye), so I used Amaro Nonino here along with Del Maguey Vida. I think the combination is great. I added a dash of orange bitters as suggested by another reviewer plus a grapefruit twist. Delicious.
24th February 2024 at 02:12
This is the drink that turned around mezcal for me. So simple, and so good.
12th January 2024 at 20:26
This makes for a glorious nightcap - had it with Del Maguey Vida on a Friday night after a long week and a long day of Winter gardening in the cold and it did do the trick!
4th October 2023 at 08:23
I am not by any measure a fan of mezcal, but this very simple pairing compliment each other beautifully, and create something altogether new.
Did one with a dash of orange bitters that was even better.
Did one with a dash of orange bitters that was even better.
19th January 2023 at 15:30
This is best as a shot. One of the best uses for montenegro and a good gateway for both amaro or mezcal, for those less familiar.
25th December 2022 at 13:38
I've tried this drink a few times and very much enjoyed it. Tonight I thought I'd try subbing the mezcal for the other smokey bottle in my cabinet - an Islay single malt. Oh man. Someone needs to give this a name and get it on a menu ASAP.
31st August 2024 at 03:58
Scotch and Montenegro, might be inclined to call it an S&M…
29th November 2022 at 00:06
Trying it before dinner with Mezcal Union. Not sure about this one. I guess I'd agree with Anonymous from 49 weeks ago (better than you'd think, but no mas). But is it really better than I thought? Maybe not even. The mezcal is overpowering and I don't feel like the Monte provides any balance.
19th January 2023 at 15:31
Its commonly made with Bahnez ensamble or del maguey vida, for what its worth
3rd September 2022 at 03:23
Very nice after dinner. It is a bit smoky, but I was expecting that from the Mezcal. Not being a fan of smoky, was cautious wanting to try this, but was pleasantly surprised. Not as smoky as I was expecting and wonderful for after dinner. A little hint of sweet. Does benefit from breathing.
21st May 2022 at 03:10
Twin souls these are. A perfect marriage. It's a bit perplexing.
Anonymous
20th December 2021 at 00:54
For me this is a drink that's "better than you'd think" after seeing the recipe. But that doesn't make it an awesome drink. It's drinkable but I don't think I'd stir another anytime soon.
Anonymous
15th December 2021 at 08:44
Magic, never would have guessed these would go together.
Anonymous
30th December 2020 at 03:17
This is an unexpectedly excellent digestif, especially on a snowy winter evening following a warming meal.
It looks like we owe thanks for the Monte y Mezcal to Marco Montefiori of Amaro Montenegro and NYC barkeep Robert Krueger. (https://punchdrink.com/articles/do-you-even-mm-montenegro-mezcal-shot/)
A 50/50 shot that began as a bartender's handshake had evolved into a cocktail by at least 2015. (https://bevvy.co/articles/amaro-montenegro-cocktails-for-drinking/10233)
It looks like we owe thanks for the Monte y Mezcal to Marco Montefiori of Amaro Montenegro and NYC barkeep Robert Krueger. (https://punchdrink.com/articles/do-you-even-mm-montenegro-mezcal-shot/)
A 50/50 shot that began as a bartender's handshake had evolved into a cocktail by at least 2015. (https://bevvy.co/articles/amaro-montenegro-cocktails-for-drinking/10233)
Anonymous
11th February 2021 at 03:07
Stir 1 part of a M&M with a 2-5 parts of grapefruit juice for a great low-alcohol cocktail.
Anonymous
10th January 2021 at 23:09
Following up on my note above, my wife and I just did a double-blind taste testing of the M&M using 3 different mezcals — Sombra, Wahaka and Alipus San Luis. While all are Tahona-milled copper-distilled Joven Espadin mezcals from Oaxaca, the choice of mezcal makes a huge difference in how the M&M tastes. Sombra wins our gold as the best pairing with Amaro Montenegro. Wahaca captures silver with a richer, more rounded mouthfeel. Alipus San Luis earns bronze with a brighter profile.
10th November 2020 at 20:24
Note for myself: I liked it, but I think it's a fun one to serve to guests. My family couldn't guess what was in it! It's just a tiny bit sweet, but not too much.