Hugo Spritz Recipe (St-Germain Spritz)

By now, you've likely tried the Aperol Spritz and the Limoncello Spritz, but have you met Hugo? He's not to be missed! This Hugo Spritz recipe is an effervescent and refreshing cocktail made from Prosecco, Elderflower liqueur, fresh lime, and mint. It's perfect for warm-weather sipping!

If you're hosting a party and want to serve the drink of the summer, you can't sleep on this Hugo spritz recipe! In the warmer months, spritz cocktails are always the answer, and this elderflower spritz takes it to new heights. Bubbly, light, and floral with a touch of sweetness, these spritz aren't as intense or sweet as their Aperol relatives.

Roland Gruber, a bartender and wine and cocktail bar owner, created this summer drink in the Northern Italian Province of South Tyrol (near the Dolomite Mountain Range) in 2005, and it has quickly grown in international popularity since (especially on TikTok!). It certainly is my new favorite cocktail. In fact, I love it so much that I always keep these ingredients on hand. A spritz kit, if you will!

Best of all, this Hugo spritz cocktail is incredibly simple and easy to make, perfect for busy evenings and last-minute get-togethers. No cocktail shakers, strainers, or other fancy equipment are needed.

For more refreshing summer cocktail recipes, check out my Sweet Tea Lemonade Cocktail, Pink Mule, and Lemon Ginger Cocktail.

Why You'll Love It

There are endless reasons to love this Hugo Spritz recipe, but for the sake of time, I've whittled it down to a few of its biggest selling points.

• Cooling and refreshing. Made with ice, chilled soda water, and cool prosecco, this drink is what we Midwesterners would call a "porch pounder!" I know, it's possibly not very lady-like, but a refreshing drink like this is guaranteed to cool you off on a hot and humid day!
• High-style but simple. You don't have to be in Northern Italy to experience the glamor of drinking this gorgeous cocktail! In fact, the ingredients are pretty easy to find and are affordable, making it a doable option for everything from weeknight sipping to celebratory get-togethers.
• Easy to prep ahead and make in batches. This bubbly sipper was virtually made for entertaining. It's super simple to make a big batch ahead of time. When it comes time to serve, just top off the drinks with Prosecco and soda water and garnish with a fresh mint sprig!
• 3-2-1 ratio. Did you know that all Italian Spritzes call for this ratio of 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts liqueur, 1 part soda water? It couldn't be easier to replicate!

Important Ingredients

When it comes to Hugo Spritz ingredients, choosing high-quality is what will take this recipe from simple to an over-the-top, TikTok-worthy experience. You will need the following:

• Elderflower Liqueur - This lightly sweet, floral, and fruity low-ABV liqueur, such as St-Germain and St. Elder, is flavored with white elderflowers. I personally use St-Germain in my cocktails (like a French Gimlet!) as it's high quality and delicious. To make this drink less boozy, you can also use elderflower syrup.
• Prosecco - You can't have a spritz without prosecco! This Italian sparkling white wine is sometimes confused with Champagne, but the two are actually different. Prosecco is lighter and fruitier in taste, whereas Champagne is more full-bodied and comes specifically from Champagne, France. For the best results, use a dry, high-quality prosecco, such as LaMarca.
• Mint - Adds a light and cooling finish that, when combined with the elderflower cordial, tastes just like a little garden party in your mouth!  Use fresh mint leaves with a deep green color and rinse them well with cool water before using.
• Lime Juice - Balances out the sweet cocktail with a little acidity. Use fresh lime juice whenever possible, though bottled can work in a pinch.
• Seltzer Water - Tops off the spritz with a final touch of effervescence. Club soda, soda water, or sparkling mineral water are all good options here. Tonic water can be used, but it will make a more bitter appertif.
• Lime Slices - Freshly sliced lime wheels add a fresh and elegant garnish. For a twist, you can also use sliced lemon.

Swaps, Substitutions, and Variations

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

• Add a splash of fresh fruit juice, such as watermelon, grapefruit, or peach, to your cocktail.
• Garnish with berries. Fresh blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries add a pop of color and natural sweetness.
• Use flavored sparkling water. Lime, blackberry, grapefruit, or lemon-flavored all work great!
• If you don't have seltzer water or club soda, just use extra Prosecco.
• Make it sweeter. Add up to ½ ounce of simple syrup for a sweet touch.
• Adjust the strength of the cocktail by adjusting the ratio of St. Germain, Prosecco, and club soda to taste.
• For a Hugo Spritz mocktail, use elderflower syrup and swap in non-alcoholic prosecco or sparkling white wine, or leave out the Prosecco completely.