Standing in front of a cocktail menu can sometimes make you hesitate. Not everyone immediately knows what to order, especially when the selection is wide.
It happens often on the Navigli as well, where cocktail bars are part of the neighbourhood’s culture and every venue offers its own style.
The truth is that choosing the right cocktail doesn’t require bartender-level expertise. You simply need to understand which kind of drink fits the moment of the evening and your personal taste.
Start with flavours
The first step is simple: understand what kind of flavours you enjoy.
Some people prefer fresh, citrus-forward cocktails, others lean toward more bitter notes, while some look for something smoother and more aromatic.
In many cocktail bars on the Navigli, at UGO Cocktail Bar – Bistrot, the menu is designed to make this choice easier, with drinks built around recognizable ingredients and balanced combinations.
Consider the moment of the evening
Not every cocktail works the same way at every point in the night.
A lighter drink may be perfect to begin with, while later on you might choose something more structured.
This is why many venues on the Navigli design their menus to accompany the entire flow of the evening, from aperitivo to after dinner.
Classic or creative?
Many cocktail bars offer both classic cocktails and more original creations.
Classic cocktails are reassuring: well-known recipes that are balanced and timeless.
Signature cocktails, on the other hand, allow you to discover new combinations and unexpected ingredients, as happens with the creations featured on the menu at UGO on the Navigli.
The importance of balance
A good cocktail should not only look impressive. It should be balanced.
Sweetness, bitterness, acidity and aroma need to find the right proportion, creating a drink that remains enjoyable from the first sip to the last.
This balance is what distinguishes a carefully prepared cocktail from one that is simply mixed.
The right cocktail is the one that fits the evening
Choosing a cocktail is not just about ordering a drink. It is about entering the rhythm of the evening.
A well-made drink can accompany a conversation, make a meeting more relaxed, or simply become the centre of the table.
On the Navigli, venues like UGO Cocktail Bar – Bistrot have become a reference point for exactly this reason: carefully prepared cocktails, a curated wine selection, beers and a bistrot kitchen designed to accompany drinking without changing the rhythm of the evening.
In the end, the right cocktail is simply the one that makes it natural to stay a little longer.
