Hugo Spritz Recipe (The BEST Elderflower Spritz)

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I know by now you've all tried the Aperol Spritz and the Limoncello Spritz...but have you met Hugo? The Hugo Spritz recipe is a mixture of Prosecco, Elderflower liqueur, fresh lime, and mint to make up the perfect cocktail.

Tall wine glass of Hugo spritz cocktail garnished with mint and lime.

Hosting a party and want to serve the drink of the summer? A spritz is always the answer. It's not only refreshing, but an incredibly light cocktail which has a perfect balance of floral notes and sweetness.

This effervescent cocktail is sure to be your new favorite cocktail! I personally keep all of these ingredients on hand, a spritz kit if you will! The few simple steps to make it are will leave you wanting to mix this one up over and over again.

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Why You'll Love It
Origin of the Hugo Spritz
🥂Make it A Rosy Moment
Important Ingredients
Full Recipe Below
Step by Step Instructions
Did you know...
Expert Tips
💡Recipe FAQ
Related Recipes
📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love It

Spritz cocktails are the perfect "Welcome Drink" to add to your parties and as part of any cocktail bar. Plus the flavor combinations are endless, like my Passion Fruit Martini Spritz and Limoncello Spritz, or even the classic Aperol Spritz!

The Hugo Spritz cocktail is a refreshing drink that's typically found in Italy (originating in the northern Italian province: South Tryrol (which is nestled in the Italian Alps or Dolomites!). Fresh mint leaves mixed with elderflower liquor and Prosecco make the perfect aperitivo. Here are a few reasons you'll love this delicious cocktail:

Did I mention its refreshing? It's what I call a "porch pounder" it may or may not be lady like, but in the midwest, it gets HOT! So we need refreshing drinks for sipping on the porch.
Simple ingredients. A bottle of st. germaine will last you a long time. So pick up a bottle of Prosecco, sparkling water, and slices of lime & you'll have yourself the beginnings of a beautiful cocktail!
Easy to prep ahead and make in batches. This is essential for hosting, make a big batch ahead of time and just top off with the bubbly Prosecco and soda water when its time to serve.
Simple 3-2-1 ratio used for Italian Spritzes couldn't be easier to replicate! It's simple to remember the 3-2-1 ratio! 3 parts liqueur, 2 parts Prosecco, 1 part club soda.

St. Germain Spritz in a glass with lime and fresh mint.

Origin of the Hugo Spritz

This modern classic cocktail is getting a ton of buzz lately! My TikTok and Instagram feeds are full of aesthetic Hugo Spritz cocktails enjoyed in unbelievably beautiful locations. But where is this cocktail from?

Originating in Alto Adige region (Northern Italy), around 2005. It was created by bartender Roland Gruber, who initially named it "Otto." It eventually was changed to "Hugo" and the rest is history!

It's light and fresh flavor profile make it the perfect drink to sip on your European summer trips.

🥂Make it A Rosy Moment

It doesn't take much to make a delightful cocktail like this a full on rosy moment! But if you want to elevate your everyday, here are some ideas to really take a simple st-germain spritz and make it special.

Al Fresco Apertivo - That golden hour before the sun sets is the most beautiful part of the day! Make a homemade Italian apertivo spread of grilled bread and different dips. Served outside with friends and family, make a large pitcher of this St. Germain Spritz to share while enjoying the gorgeous sunset right in your own backyard, just like they do in Northern Italy!

Batch of Hugo Spritz Cocktails
Grilled Slices of Homemade Dutch Oven Bread
Whipped Goat Cheese and Pomegranate Dip
Herbed Dipping Oil
Red Pepper Romesco Dip

Gift a Spritz Kit - Keeping all the essential ingredients for spritz recipes on hand is a must at my house. Why not gift someone the refreshing cocktail all in a cute little kit! Don't limit yourself to this recipe either, you could totally do an Aperol Spritz Kit too! Here's what to include

Bottle of St. Germaine
Wine glasses - a large wine glass or a stemless wine glass will work!
Bottle of Prosecco
Club Soda
Fresh mint plant
Fresh limes
Cute basket + crinkle paper filler to put it all in!

A Hugo Spritz for Every Season! Don't limit spritz season to just the summer months. Try serving this cocktail with seasonal flavors for a unique way to enjoy your favorite drink.

Summer - Try adding a sparkling Rosé instead of Prosecco
Fall - Spice it up with a splash of apple cider, sweet & tart!
Winter - Add a splash of cranberry juice and frozen cranberries for garnish.
Spring - Florals for spring? Groundbreaking! Mix in some lemon balm syrup, cucumber slices, and edible flowers for a garden party spritz.

Important Ingredients

High-quality ingredients are what will take this simple recipe to an over the top experience in every sip. Here's what you'll need to make this elderflower cocktail...

Elderflower Liqueur - This light and fruity low abv liqueur is originally from the French Alps and is flavored with white elderflowers. It's slightly sweet and adds this touch of floral flavor to anything you add it to! Brands of elderflower liqueur you'll likely find in stores include St. Germain, Monin, and St. Elder. I personally use St. Germaine in my cocktails (like a French Gimlet!) as it's high quality and delicious
Prosecco - Another essential part of spritz cocktail recipes is Prosecco. Sometimes confused with Champagne, these two are actually different. Prosecco is a sparkling white wine from Italy that is lighter and fruitier in taste. While Champagne comes specifically from Champagne, France and is much more full bodied.
Mint - A mint sprig is another major flavor component to our st. germain spritz. It's the perfect touch of freshness and when paired with the floral elderflower cordial, it tastes just like a little garden party in your mouth!
Lime Juice - Every sweet cocktail needs to be balanced out with a little acidity. Fresh fruit also makes the perfect garnish for our spritz! Lime wheels or fresh lime slices tucked into the ice cubes in our glass is just beautiful! I've also seen this made with a lemon wheel added as garnish, however I'm a stickler for keeping with the original recipes so I love the lime juice.
Seltzer Water - Finish off your spritz with a little top-off of seltzer water. Club soda or sparkling mineral water are an option here - just up to your preference! I would note that if you choose to use any type of tonic water it may affect the flavor of the cocktail a little bit!

Swaps and Substitutions

As stated above, different spritz cocktails are so easy to make once you nail down the simple recipe. Here are some Hugo Spritz substitutions that can level up your cocktail game!

Add a splash of fresh fruit juice to your cocktail. Something unique like watermelon, natural lemon, or even grapefruit would made delicious Hugo Spritz variations.
If you don't have seltzer water, just use extra Prosecco.
For a non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz, use elderflower syrup and leave out the Prosecco completely.
On that same note, adjust the strength of the cocktail by adjusting the ratio of St. Germain, Prosecco, and club soda to your liking.

Full Recipe Below

Find the full list of ingredients & measurements below!

Step by Step Instructions

St. Germain and fresh mint in the bottom of a glass.

Step 1: Release the oils in the mint sprig by clapping it between your hands, then add it to the glass and top with the elderflower liqueur. Allow this to sit for 1-2 minutes to infuse while you open your Prosecco.

Wine glass with ice, St. Germain, mint, and lime.

Step 2: Fill the glass with ice and add a lime wheel or two into the ice.

Step 3: Add the Prosecco and lime juice to the glass.

Step 4: Top with club soda and garnish with fresh mint and extra lime.

Did you know...

Bruising the mint can actually lead to it tasting bitter - so be careful when mixing up your cocktails

How to Make Hugo Spritz Batch Cocktails

Batch cocktails are a great addition to any party. They ensure you aren't stuck behind the bar all night mixing up drinks for your guests. Here's how to prepare this cocktail for a party:

In a large pitcher combine the fresh mint, St. Germain, and soda water. Allow this to infuse for up to 30 minutes.
When ready to serve, simply fill a glass with ice, add 1 oz of the St. Germain and mint mixture to the glass and top off with Prosecco.

Expert Tips

If making in batches, don't mix in the Prosecco until you are ready to serve this drink. It is much more refreshing and bubbly with freshly poured Prosecco.
Chill the glass. Nothing will elevate your at-home cocktail endeavors more than a crisp chilled glass.
Mix this cocktail gently. No need to put it in a shaker or vigorously stir it together. The mellow flavors deserve some gentle mixing! Bruising the mint can actually lead to it tasting bitter.
Make the garnish over the top! It is a creative way to add a little pizzaz to apertivo hour! Beautiful fresh mint, edible flowers, and uniquely sliced lime will do the trick to making this the most aesthetic Hugo Spritz ever.

💡Recipe FAQ

What is the difference between an Aperol Spritz and a Hugo Spritz?

Aperol spritzes include the classic orange liqueur instead of the St. Germain in a Hugo spritz.

Is the Hugo Spritz sweet?

I wouldn't necessarily label this as a "sweet" cocktail, however you can easily adjust the sweetness by adding in more or less St. Germain.

What is in a Hugo Spritz?

It's a mix of St. Germain, Prosecco, mint, lime juice, and club soda.

If you tried this Hugo Spritz Recipe, or any other of the delicious recipes on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

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