5 drinks to try in November in Milan

Some drinks make a bar’s reputation, becoming signatures in their own right. Where word of mouth once ruled, social media now turns a cocktail into an icon and decides it must be tasted ‘right there’. Here are five drinks to try in November in Milan, each defining its venue and made for a toast with friends.

Il Rossini at Pepe Barra Italiana

Corso Giacomo Matteotti, 9

A stripped-back Rossini built on two standout ingredients: Rossana strawberries and Franciacorta Rosé. At Pepe Barra Italiana, part of the Langosteria family, this aperitivo classic arrives in a simple, thoroughly glamorous serve. The room centres on three large counters facing the open kitchen, ideal for a drink before dinner or a seat through the late evening over Italian cocktail classics.

Ginseng at WAU

via Ascanio Sforza, 65

At WAU, Milan’s first Malaysian restaurant, opened recently along the Naviglio Pavese, the cocktail list draws on the herbs and spices of Malaysia—a country Italians still link with Sandokan, but which reveals a wealth of flavours, aromas and colours. Ginseng is their twist on the Negroni: gin, Liquore Strega, white bitter and dry vermouth meet ginseng and chrysanthemum for earthy, floral notes. The bitter backbone stays, but the result is more aromatic and unusual than the original.

Herbal at Llama Maki Nikkei

Via Silvio Spaventa, 1

The cocktail list at Llama Maki Nikkei also reflects the dialogue between Peru and Japan behind the kitchen. Highlights include Herbal, made with Pisco Portón Quebranta, ginger and rosemary: a fresh, aromatic drink with a clear vegetal note. It pairs neatly with raw fish dishes, ceviche and fusion uramaki, offering a pleasant surprise off the beaten track that opens up a Nikkei tradition still rarely found in town.

Sachertorte at SAN

Via Cesare da Sesto, 1

With December fast approaching, the appetite for richer flavours grows—even in a cocktail. At SAN, set in the historic home of Pasticceria Supino between Porta Genova and Sant’Agostino, the drinks list plays on the room’s confectionery past. Sachertorte, with its chocolate and apricot notes, is a standout among the drinks to try in Milan this November. From the old pastry shop, red granite flooring and brass accents remain, now framing a contemporary listening bar.

Jupiter at UGO

Via Corsico 12

At UGO, the new Cocktail Odyssey 2026 takes the classics into orbit: Uranus starts from an Espresso Martini, Neptune from a Margarita, while Jupiter launches the Spritz toward Jupiter. It combines white vermouth, chrysanthemum and apple and pear cider for a more floral, fruity character than the original, kept light and direct. One of five drinks to try in Milan in November, best savoured just off Naviglio Grande at the counter anchoring this cocktail bar and bistro.

Cover photo: nidhil-amen -unsplash