The World Class Cocktail Festival is showcasing Milan's best cocktail serves

Dapper and retro, there’s something effortlessly charming about this boutique-y spot. Part of super sophisticated hotel, The Yard Milano, the decor here screams Wes Anderson: from the vintage lighting and quirky art paraphernalia to the cosy lounges. Drop by and bartender Franco Ponti will be serving lucky visitors his invention – the ‘Mr Porter’. Created by mixing Talisker 10 with a fruity, salty, orgeat, the drink is inspired by Sir Archibald Menzies, a Scottish surgeon, botanist and naturalist. Apart from spending many years at sea (an impressive feat for those of us who already get sea-sick on a ferry), Menzies was the first European to reach the summit of Mauna Loa, a volcano in Hawaii.

Located between the Arena and Brera, this warm steakhouse welcomes you with open arms – mainly because it’s styled like an English mini pub. But don’t be fooled by the relaxed interior, because the drinks are far from lazy. Yep, if you’re after some botanics then you’re in luck, because bartender Lorenzo Allegrini has created the ‘Gin-evra’, an innovative take on the classic gin and tonic. It’s made with Tanqueray No. Ten, soda, pink grapefruit, Belsazar white and three co2 charges. Wanna try it? Let the fun be-gin.

Hidden inside The Stage in central Milan, this dining destination is nothing short of chic. A drinking den where fashionistas gather in their droves, it’s no surprise that their offering is inventive and pretty trendy, too. Thanks to bartender, Sossio Del Prete, a visit there will have you experiencing his ‘Bubble Tie’ cocktail. Working backwards, Del Prete says that his ‘idea came from the desire to make a bitter, sweet and lightly acidic drink with a not very pronounced hint of smoke, but persistent throughout the entire duration of the drink’. The result? A combo of Johnnie Walker, lapsang tea, citric acid, sugar and gentian root. Yep, we’ll see you there.

For more information, visit the World Class Club website

That’s right, there are more than just the bars above taking part in the World Class Cocktail Festival. So if you’re in Milan between June 17 and June 23, you can also drop into Banco.

For more information, visit the World Class Club website