Why we love the hugo spritz
Spritzes are great for summer and the Hugo spritz is a modern classic that you need to add to your rotation this year. Especially if you have a plethora of mint in your garden.
This elegant cocktail is simple, yet sophisticated with delicate botanical notes and a light effervescence.
If you enjoy a lighter, refreshing cocktail, this spritz cocktail is the drink for you. It’s lower alcohol content makes it perfect for having more than one drink.
More elderflower cocktails: spicy jalapeño margarita / elderflower gimlet / Irish maid / French blonde cocktail / Eastside cocktail
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Elderflower liqueur – We used St. Germain for this recipe. Elderflower liqueur is an aromatic liqueur with made from springtime elderflowers, boasting a subtly sweet floral flavor.
- Prosecco – This Italian sparkling wine is crisp and fruity, pairing perfectly with the elderflower flavor in the St. Germain.
- Club soda – Plain or flavored would work here. Just be sure to use a flavor that would compliment the elderflower. We used lime since it’s already a garnish.
- Mint leaves
- Limes
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called a Hugo Spritz?
The Hugo Spritz was originally created in Northern Italy as a lighter alternative to the classic Aperol Spritz. It was supposedly named “Hugo” just because the bartender liked how it sounded—seriously! It doesn’t have any deep symbolic meaning, just a fun, feel-good name that stuck. And honestly, it fits the drink’s flirty, floral vibes
What is the best prosecco for a Hugo Spritz?
You don’t need anything too fancy here—just a dry (look for “Brut”) prosecco that’s crisp and bubbly. Save the expensive bottles for sipping solo. La Marca, Mionetto, or Ruffino are all easy-to-find options that play really nicely with the sweetness of elderflower liqueur.
What kind of alcohol is St-Germain?
St-Germain is a French liqueur made from elderflower blossoms, and it tastes just as pretty as it sounds. It’s sweet, floral, and a little bit citrusy. It’s not super strong on its own (around 20% ABV), but it adds such a nice delicate flavor to cocktails like the Hugo Spritz.
More spritz cocktails you’ll love: French 76 / Grinch mimosa cocktail / Aperol spritz / Negroni sbagliato / limoncello spritz
Hugo Spritz
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces elderflower liqueur
- 3 ounces prosecco
- 1 ounce club soda
- Garnish: Mint leaves, limes
Instructions
- Build your spritz. Fill a wine glass with ice. Pour the elderflower liqueur over the ice and stir with a bar spoon until well chilled. Then, add the prosecco and club soda and gently stir to combine the ingredients.
- Garnish and serve. Pop a lime wheel or two into your glass. Then, garnish with mint. Make sure you gently bruise the mint leaves to release the aromatic oils. This boosts the mint flavor of the cocktail.
- Prep your glass. Fill a wine glass with ice. Then, tap mint leaves with palms to release oils, then add them to the glass.
Leave a Reply