Montenegro Amaro, in the Mix at Roberta’s Montauk

I was sold on Montenegro Amaro from the moment they told me I didn’t have to pay! Still, after drinking Monteritas on their dime all night (Shoutout to the car service that safely scooped us), I will definitely ask for Montenegro Amaro in the future! Check out the recipe for their Monterita at the end of the article, it’s sure to impress next time you entertain!

You know it’s going to be a good night when someone gives you a bracelet that lets you drink for free. Montenegro clearly knows how to graciously and generously host a Hamptons party.

I was meeting some friends at Roberta’s in Montauk, and it was mobbed. Roberta’s gets busy, but this was notable since the sun was still up and on a weekday. Luckily the brand-new traffic circle installed this year was there; otherwise, the parking lot would have looked like a mini-NASCAR track swirling with rented Range Rovers. So, this is at least in part a thank you to the Montauk Public Works Department; I digress…

So, what exactly is Montenegro Amaro?

Don’t be ashamed if you’re unfamiliar with this century-old Italian Amaro, offering a delightful blend of bittersweet and opulent flavors. Its distinct taste profile, characterized by caramel and orange notes, is a result of an intricate recipe comprising 40 botanicals. Montenegro has become a revered staple in the bartending community, embodying a liquid legacy of exceptional quality and craftsmanship. Highly recommend picking up a bottle, usually around $34.

With so many free drinks to mix and supply, even a bartender as seasoned as Gabe welcomed the added servers from Montenegro. Seriously though, the dude keeps his cool through the chaos and may be the friendliest bartender I’ve ever met.

DJ Soul Clap kept the vibes upbeat and fun on the back patio without overpowering conversation. That’s no easy feat. He is also the first DJ to spin vinyl in recent memory.

Big fan of gift bags, which were given freely (is it a gift bag if you have to pay for it?), and they had a step-and-repeat, staged with beachy swag. That was genuinely fun – seeing so many kids and families taking pictures and jamming out was really nice. Even though the spirits were flowing, families were comfortable staying for a complementary margarita after or before dinner.

After drinking more than one free margarita and slipping one of the SUPER cool Montenegro barrel mugs into my bag, my group was ready for dinner. I’ll get to how good the meal was next time, but if you see a party hosted by Montenegro Amaro, you won’t want to miss it.

The Monterita