The delectable Hugo Spritz is a classic cocktail made for sipping on a patio. It’s a delightful blend of elderflower, mint, and Prosecco.
Bring Northern Italy to your own backyard with this classic Italian cocktail. The Hugo Spritz cocktail is a refreshing blend of floral elderflower, bubbly Prosecco, and fresh mint. It is the perfect effervescent cocktail to enjoy at the end of a hot day. This simple, light cocktail is easy to make and even easier to sip.
What Is A Hugo Spritz?
A spritz is a delicious wine-based cocktail that combines sparkling wine, like Prosecco, with bitter liqueur and a splash of soda water. Spritz cocktails are extremely popular in warm weather because they are so refreshing. A Hugo Spritz contains sweet elderflower liqueur, unlike more traditional Italian spritzes with their bitter aperitives.
The Hugo Spritz originated in Northern Italy, specifically in South Tyrol by bartender Roland Gruber. Originally it was made with Melissa cordial, but the ingredient is rare and made in small quantities. It was replaced with the more common elderflower cordial as the popularity of the cocktail spread. The drink was named “Hugo” after a popular hotel owner in the area.1 The cocktail was declared the “Drink of the Summer” on social media, but the elderflower cocktail is perfect for any time of year.
Ingredients for a Classic Hugo Spritz
- Mint – Fresh mint makes this cocktail refreshing and crisp. It’s the perfect palate cleanser during or after a meal.
- Elderflower Liqueur – This liqueur is sweet and slightly thick. It has a strong floral and sweet taste and a pale amber color. St Germain is one of the most popular brands of elderflower liqueur, but other brands also produce it. *For a version of this drink with less alcohol, use elderflower syrup as a substitute!*
- Prosecco – It wouldn’t be a spritz without a few ounces of crisp Prosecco! I prefer a slightly sweeter Prosecco, but a dry Prosecco would work well with the sweet elderflower liquor.
- Seltzer – A splash of unflavored seltzer, club soda, or sparkling water dilutes the cocktail without diminishing the bubbles.
How to Make a Hugo Spritz
The delicious Hugo Spritz may be your new favorite cocktail. It’s a lovely blend of floral notes and bubbles that will have you hooked from the first sip! Follow these simple steps to create your own Hugo at home.
Step One – First, add 5-6 fresh mint leaves to the bottom of a wine glass. Then add ice cubes to the glass. Don’t muddle the mint for this cocktail. The soft pressure from the ice and the agitation from stirring the spritz is enough to release the mint oils.
Step Two – Pour an ounce of elderflower liquor over the ice.
Step Three – Top the cocktail with a few ounces of Prosecco and a single ounce of plain seltzer or soda. Stir the spritz using a bar spoon to disperse the flavors evenly.
Garnish this spritz with a lemon wheel or fresh lime slices, and a fresh sprig of mint.
Can I Make this Spritz in Advance?
Unfortunately, you cannot prepare this refreshing cocktail in advance. The prosecco will go flat. It is best to make and enjoy a spritz right away!
However, you can make a big batch of spritzes! Pour a bottle of Prosecco into a large pitcher and add about 5-6 ounces of elderflower liqueur. Then add the mint leaves, lemon slices, and several large scoops of ice. Serve immediately to avoid the Prosecco going flat!
This Hugo Spritz recipe is the perfect aperitivo for a garden party or an al fresco luncheon. The light floral flavor of elderflower and the crisp taste of Prosecco are the perfect balance. It’s a light, sweet, sippable, and perfect cocktail.
More Delicious Spritz Recipes
Hugo Spritz
Ingredients
- 5-6 mint leaves
- 1 oz elderflower liqueur
- 4 oz Prosecco
- 1 oz seltzer
- 2 lemon slices
Instructions
- Add 5-6 fresh mint leaves to the bottom of a wine glass. Then add ice cubes to the glass.
- Pour elderflower liquor over the ice.
- Top the cocktail with Prosecco and plain seltzer. Stir with a bar spoon to disperse the flavors evenly.
- Garnish with lemon wheels and a fresh sprig of mint.
