Montenegro Paloma

It's not uncommon for me to order a tequila cocktail with dinner and enjoy a glass of amaro or a shot of its artichoke-based cousin, Cynar, with dessert. When I came across a cocktail that combined both of those options in a refreshing, fizzy riff on a classic Paloma, I knew I was about to enjoy something truly special. Amaro Montenegro, in case you haven't yet added a bottle to your home bar, is what F&W executive wine editor Ray Isle calls the "lightest, gentlest amari, with orange and rosewater notes." In addition to its accessible flavor profile, it also happens to be one of the easier bottles to find, plus it plays especially well with a reposado tequila to create a sweeter take on this iconic warm weather tequila drink. Reposado tequila is aged from anywhere between two months to a year in-barrel, resulting in a weightier, more robust spirit for mixing in cocktails.

For the Montenegro Paloma cocktail, you'll want to whip up a batch of agave syrup by simply dissolving one part agave nectar in one part hot water; when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this syrup serves as a surprisingly versatile cocktail ingredient for up to one month ⁠— try it in another one of our favorite dark rum-based amaro cocktails, The Malagueña.