The Hugo Spritz cocktail is a refreshing drink made of a delicious elderflower liqueur, a pinch of mint, and a splash of fizzy Prosecco and soda water. It's easy to make and the ultimate drink for a hot summer day.
We're inching closer and closer to summer by the minute, and I've been on the hunt for the perfect summer cocktail. You know the kind - something really light that you can sip on in your backyard, poolside, or that you can serve when hosting a casual brunch. Something strong enough to give it a little oomph, but light enough to be able to drink it at 2 in the afternoon and still be standing strong by 6. And my friends, I think I've found it!
I've long adored the beloved Aperol spritz, and while it will always hold a place in my heart, its lighter, more floral cousin, the Hugo Spritz, has definitely stolen the show for me. Have you heard of this drink? It's been popular in Europe for a while now ( a classic Italian cocktail) and has recently been popping up in the United States. It's a perfectly light, fizzy drink thanks to the bubbly Prosecco and soda water, and is flavored with sweet floral notes from elderflower liqueur. Fresh, muddled mint leaves cut the sweetness a bit, giving this a cooler feel. It’s everything I want in a refreshing cocktail—simple, light, and elegant, and bubbling with flavor. This easy summer spritz is incredibly easy to make, and also easy to transform into a mocktail if you'd rather not risk the "standing strong by 6" goal.
My new favorite cocktail has me aching for hot summer days, and I have a feeling this Hugo Spritz recipe is going to be heavy in my summer cocktail rotation. I think you're going to love it too.
Key Ingredients
The Hugo spritz balances floral, slightly sweet flavors with fresh mint, making each sip perfectly balanced. Here are the main ingredients you'll need:
- St-Germain elderflower liqueur. The most essential ingredient - this Italian liqueur is known for its sweet, elderflower taste and is what makes this cocktail unique. (You can also use elderflower cordial or elderflower syrup if you want this to be a non-alcoholic drink!)
- Prosecco. This sparkling white wine brings the fizz and lightness to the effervescent cocktail. Because I don't like things on the super sweet side (and the St. Germain is already fairly sweet), I like to use a Prosecco that's drier (look for ones that say "Brut" on the label).
- Club soda. Or soda water (I just used a can of plain La Croix)—just a splash of soda water adds a bit of delicious fizz without overpowering the delicate flavors.
- Fresh mint leaves. One of my favorite ingredients and what sets a Hugo Spritz apart from a St-Germain spritz (more about some variations below). You'll want to lightly muddle the mint leaves to release their oils, which will give the drink a, crisp herbal contrast.
- Lemon wheels. Because, come on, they're just so pretty!
- Ice cubes. No summer drink is complete without these! A true Hugo cocktail is served icy cold in a large wine glass.
Tips For Making A Hugo Spritz
As with most spritz recipes, this one is simple to make. Here’s how to do it (notes below are for making the spritz in individual glasses. See the tip below if making it for a larger group!)
- Make it in the glass. First of all, you're going to create each drink within its own glass, unless you're making a big batch (see tip below). No shaker needed! I like using a large wine glass for these, but you can use whatever you've got here. (Note - see the tip below if looking to make a larger batch of these.)
- Muddle the mint. Divide the mint and elderflower liqueur into each glass. You'll start by lightly pressing the mint into the elderflower liqueur to infuse the minty oils into the drink. I typically just use the back of a spoon to gently do this in the glass. Let the mint and St-Germain sit on their own for a few minutes to let the flavors blend together. Don’t skip this step! This small wait creates a great flavor payoff.
- Pour in your chilled ingredients. Your Prosecco and club soda/soda water should be ice cold before mixing to keep everything crisp and refreshing. Just layer each one over the top and give it a good stir. Add ice cubes!
- Add extra mint and a lemon wheel. This makes the drink look so pretty and fancy and totally perfect for summer!
Make a large batch! Want to serve a crowd? This recipe scales easily—just muddle the mint and St--Germain in the pitcher, pour in ice, the Prosecco and soda water, mix well and pour.
Variations
I've tried making this with several different swaps and additions, and these are my favorites:
- Make it a mocktail! Skip the alcohol entirely—use elderflower syrup, sparkling water, mint, and citrus for a fun mocktail version. I love this when I just want something refreshing to sip on. Bonus - my kids love feeling they're drinking a "fancy drink".
- Add fresh fruit. I like adding fresh berries (blackberries are my favorite berry addition!) or a few slices of lime for some extra color and a touch of sweetness.
- Use lemon instead of mint. This actually makes this drink a classic St-Germain Spritz. Simply swap the mint for lemon only. Some people also use lemon balm leaves to make the drink even more lemony.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Hugo Spritz is a spritz cocktail made with St-Germain elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, club soda, and mint. It originated in northern Italy near the Austrian border and the Dolomite mountain range.
A classic Aperol Spritz uses Aperol, a bitter aperitif that has a distinct orange flavor, while the Hugo features floral notes from elderflower liquor, making it sweeter and lighter. Both are amazing summer drinks, but if you're hoping for something light and refreshing, the Hugo is the way to go.
Yes! Swap in elderflower cordial or elderflower syrup and use sparkling water or tonic water instead of that bottle of Prosecco for a refreshing mocktail without the buzz.
I typically use a large wine glass to showcase the garnish and keep everything chilled with plenty of ice cubes. But you can use whatever glass you want or have on hand.
St. Germain elderflower liqueur is the gold standard, but St. Elder and other brands of elderflower liqueur work great too.
I'm predicting the Hugo Spritz, with its soft floral flavor and bubbly feel, will be my drink of the summer. I think it will make the perfect aperitif, served alongside something salty like these Cheddar Cheese Straws, Pear and Cheddar Hand Pies, or this easy Mediterranean Charcuterie Board.
Ready to sip? I hope you'll give this delicious cocktail a try. It's the perfect aperitivo for your next dinner party or backyard bash.
If you do try this elderflower cocktail, let me know what you think of it in the comments below - I'd love to hear your own customizations! And don't forget to tag me with a pic @frontrangefed on Instagram so I can see your creation!
Recipe
How To Make A Hugo Spritz - The Ultimate Summer Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz St-Germain (4 tbsp)
- 4 fresh mint sprigs (1 per drink)
- 16 oz Prosecco chilled (2 cups)
- 4 oz soda water chilled (about ½ cup)
- 4 extra mint sprigs +4 lemon wheels for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pitcher or mixing glass, combine 2 oz (4 tbsp) St-Germain and 4 mint sprigs. Lightly muddle the mint to release the flavor, then let it sit for 3 minutes to infuse.
- Fill 4 wine glasses with ice.
- Divide the infused St-Germain evenly among the glasses (about ½ oz or 1 tablespoon per glass).
- Pour 4 oz Prosecco (½ cup) and 1 oz soda water (2 tbsp) into each glass.
- Gently stir to combine.
- Garnish each drink with a fresh mint sprig and lemon wheel.
- Serve immediately over ice and enjoy!
Notes
- If making a larger batch, simply combine the St-Germain and mint into a large pitcher, muddle the mint, and allow to sit for about 3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and give everything a good stir. Pour into individual glasses over ice, and garnish as desired.
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