Hugo Spritz
As the days get warmer and longer, there’s no better way to unwind than with a refreshing Hugo Spritz. This effervescent cocktail combines the aromatic flavors of elderflower, the crispness of prosecco, and the freshness of mint. It’s a lighter alternative to the classic Aperol Spritz and is perfect for summer gatherings, garden parties, or a relaxing evening at home.
The Hugo Spritz is not just a cocktail; it’s a summer sensation. It’s light, floral notes make it an ideal choice for those who prefer a less alcoholic and more aromatic alternative to traditional cocktails. Whether hosting a summer barbecue or enjoying a quiet evening, a glass of Hugo Spritz promises a delightful and refreshing experience.
Here’s a fun fact about me. I don’t particularly appreciate being told I can’t have something just because it’s not the season. For example, I have soup year-round. I don’t just wait for the cold weather to arrive. The same is true for this cocktail; it’s so delicious, and even though it’s a warm-weather cocktail, I drink it year-round. I especially love it around the holiday season.
So be a rebel like me and drink and eat whatever you want whenever you want to! It’s very freeing, you’ll see.
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The history of the Hugo spritz recipe
Certainly! Here’s a condensed version of the Hugo Spritz cocktail’s history:
The Hugo Spritz originated in 2005 in South Tyrol, in northern Italy, near the Austrian border. Roland Gruber, a barman at the San Zeno wine bar in Naturns, created it as an alternative to the Aperol Spritz. Gruber’s concoction was a mix of elderflower syrup, a nod to Alpine tradition, Prosecco, a splash of sparkling water, and mint leaves, yielding a refreshingly floral cocktail. Named “Hugo” for its simplicity and catchiness, the drink quickly gained popularity in German-speaking regions before spreading throughout Europe.
The Hugo epitomizes modern mixology’s knack for crafting new classics that capture the essence of local flavors and the evolving tastes of cocktail enthusiasts.
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Helpful
Tips
- Quality of ingredients: Use good quality Prosecco and elderflower syrup for the best taste. The better the ingredients, the better the drink.
- Size matters: If you only make a few Hugos and don’t want to buy a big bottle of Prosecco, they sell them in small sizes.
- Elderflower liqueur: Even though this drink was first made with elderflower syrup, I find it too sweet. So, I use elderflower liqueur to lessen the sugar and for its unique and delicious taste. The difference between the liqueur and syrup or elderflower cordial is the syrup and cordial don’t have alcohol in them.
- Mint leaves: When muddling the mint, be gentle. The aim is to release the essential oils, not to shred the leaves. If you don’t own a muddler, you can use the back of a wooden spoon.
- Temperature: Serve the Hugo Spritz well chilled. Ensure both the Prosecco and soda water are refrigerated before use.
- Proportions: Feel free to adjust the proportions of Prosecco, elderflower liqueur, and soda to suit your taste. Some prefer a sweeter or stronger drink than others. If I have room in the glass, even when adding extra ice, I fill up the glass with more Prosecco.
- Substitutions: You could substitute champagne for the Prosecco if you like, but it will change the taste profile.
- Garnish Variations: While lime slices and a sprig mint are traditional, you can experiment with other garnishes like cucumber slices or fresh berries for a different twist.
How to make a Hugo spritz cocktail
You will be building the cocktails in the glasses. So, there is no need for a cocktail shaker.
Pre-step
Get your glassware, muddler, and measuring glass.
Step One
Gather the ingredients – Elderflower liqueur, lime, Prosecco, fresh mint leaves, and club soda (or unflavored seltzer water).
Step Two
Put two mint leaves in each glass. Take your muddler and muddle the mint for one minute or just until you can smell the mint without sticking your nose close to the glass.
Add ice cubes to both glasses. Also, cut a few thin slices of lime and set aside for garnish, along with a few sprigs of mint.
Step Three
Measure out 4 ounces of elderflower liqueur – 2 ounces each cocktail. Pour into the glasses.
I have them in different measuring glasses since I’m building the drink in the glassware.
Step Four
Measure out 6 ounces Prosecco, 3 ounces per cocktail. Pour into the glasses.
Step Five
Measure out 2 ounces of club soda – 1 ounce per cocktail.
Step Six
Pour the club soda into the glasses. Take a cocktail spoon and gently stir the mixture to combine the flavors. Don’t over-stir because you don’t want to lose the effervescence.
If you need more ice, add some now, or you can pour more Prosecco into the glasses to fill them up.
Step Seven
Add a few sprigs of fresh mint and serve.
Yum. Doesn’t that look good? I love this bubbly cocktail.
I take a sip and revel in how yummy it is.
I hope you enjoyed this Hugo spritz cocktail recipe! And that you give it a try!
Other spritz recipes and cocktails with elderflower liqueur
- Limoncello spritz
- Apple cider spritzer
- Frenchie cocktail
- Chatelaine cocktail
- Holly jolly Christmas cocktail
- French gimlet
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Hugo Spritz
Ingredients
- 4 leaves fresh mint
- ice cubes
- 4 ounces elderflower liqueur
- 6 ounces Prosecco
- 2 ounces club soda (or sparkling water)
Garnish
- 2 sprigs fresh mint
- 2 thin lime wheels
Instructions
- Place 2 leaves of fresh mint into each glass. Take your muddler (or the back of a spoon) and muddle the mints for a minute or until you can smell it without putting your face to the glasses.4 leaves fresh mint
- Add ice cubes to the glasses.ice cubes
- Add elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, and club soda.4 ounces elderflower liqueur, 6 ounces Prosecco, 2 ounces club soda
- Gently stir the ingredients together. Add a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wheel to each glass.2 sprigs fresh mint, 2 thin lime wheels
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
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Helpful tips
- Quality of ingredients: Use good quality Prosecco and elderflower syrup for the best taste. The better the ingredients, the better the drink.
- Size matters: If you only make a few Hugos and don’t want to buy a big bottle of Prosecco, they sell them in small sizes.
- Elderflower liqueur: Even though this drink was first made with elderflower syrup, I find it too sweet. So, I use elderflower liqueur to lessen the sugar and for its unique and delicious taste. The difference between the liqueur and syrup or elderflower cordial is the syrup and cordial don’t have alcohol in them.
- Mint leaves: When muddling the mint, be gentle. The aim is to release the essential oils, not to shred the leaves. If you don’t own a muddler, you can use the back of a wooden spoon.
- Temperature: Serve the Hugo Spritz well chilled. Ensure both the Prosecco and soda water are refrigerated before use.
- Proportions: Feel free to adjust the proportions of Prosecco, elderflower liqueur, and soda to suit your taste. Some prefer a sweeter or stronger drink than others. If I have room in the glass, even when adding extra ice, I fill up the glass with more Prosecco.
- Substitutions: You could substitute champagne for the Prosecco, but it will change the taste profile.
- Garnish Variations: While lime slices and a sprig mint are traditional, you can experiment with other garnishes like cucumber slices or fresh berries for a different twist.
Nutrition
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
Love the background story of this drink. I am already dreaming of summer and sitting on the patio. Playing bartender is fun.
It really is, thank you, Gloria!
This cocktail sounds so light and refreshing! It would be perfect to make for a New Year’s Eve party. 🙂 Cheers!
This sounds great for Christmas after all the heavy food! I just need some elderflower liqueur and then I’m going to try this. Thanks!
This is such a fun cocktail. It is light, refreshing, and tastes lovely.
it is winter here, however we would definitely go for on of these. so fresh, and crisp. Love spritz! thanks for sharing!
love it 😀
Thanks so much, Nicoletta and Loreto!! 🙂 Happy holidays.
I know this is a summer drink but we couldn’t wait until then. Everyone loved these at brunch! So light, vibrant, and refreshing!
Not going to wait till summer to make this and the best part is we have a mild winter and mint is still growing strong in our backyard. ALready harvested some to make for our holiday party.
Hugo Spritz is a refreshing light and vibrant,! The combination of elderflower, mint, and prosecco creates a perfect symphony of flavors. Cheers to a fantastic recipe.
Lovely refreshing and festive cocktail, we really enjoyed last weekend! Planning to make it for friends. Thank you!
I felt so fancy making this spritz. It was a hit at my gathering this past weekend. Great refreshing cocktail.