The Reno, a cocktail recipe featuring Amaro Montenegro, Cocchi Americano Bianco, Suze, & Italicus

The Reno cocktail originated at (the now shuttered) Holy Birds, an iconic cocktail bar in London's Shoreditch neighborhood, known in its heyday for its creativity and flair. In the vein of that creative ethos, the Reno stands out as a cocktail built entirely of amaros, liqueurs, and aperitivos— ingredients which are typically just modifiers for a base spirit. But not here.

The heart of this cocktail is Amaro Montenegro, used generously to lend its warm, bittersweet character and distinctive herbal depth. Cocchi Americano Bianco joins in with bright, aromatic notes, lifting the drink gently and adding complexity. But the cocktail truly finds its personality in Suze—a gentian liqueur whose earthy, slightly bitter presence adds sophistication and structure. Without Suze, the Reno would lose the balancing edge that makes each sip intriguing. Italicus, the citrus-forward bergamot aperitivo, rounds it out with delicate floral undertones, subtle yet vital even in a smaller measure.

And the Reno's distinctiveness doesn't stop there. Instead of shaking or stirring, the cocktail is "thrown," an elegant, old-school technique of pouring ingredients back and forth between two vessels held apart, gently aerating and chilling the drink without diluting it excessively. The result is a perfectly integrated, silky texture.

To finish, a burnt lemon wedge garnish is added, essential for balancing sweetness, bitterness, and citrus in a single gesture. It’s this final aromatic note—bright yet smoky—that ties all the flavors together, providing that elusive quality that elevates a good cocktail into a truly memorable one.