Hugo Spritz (Elderflower Cocktail)

This Hugo Spritz is light, refreshing, and bubbly. It will become your go-to cocktail for hot summer days or to serve at a dinner party during the holiday season. Elderflower liqueur, a bottle of prosecco, lime juice, club soda, and fresh mint leaves poured over a generous cup of ice make this Hugo Spritz cocktail sweetly floral and delicious!

When I was in Italy for a family wedding in the summer of 2024, I saw locals ordering Hugo spritz everywhere I went. I remember being in Milan in 2010 and trying Aperol spritz for the first time. When I went back to London, no one had heard of it. It feels like Hugo Spritz might be in the same situation as Aperol spritzes, something that will become much more popular outside Europe in the coming years. I’m hoping this Hugo Spritz recipe will enliven Canada and the United States with this classic Italian cocktail that is the perfect cocktail for any occasion. It’s earthy, sweet, floral flavor, with bubbly prosecco and a splash of soda water, topped with a squeeze of lime juice from fresh lime slices, make the perfect balance for this tasty cocktail.

Why You Will Love This Hugo Spritz Cocktail

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• This delightful cocktail will be your new favorite drink to mix together in minutes using only a handful of ingredients
• This elderflower cocktail is light, refreshing and the perfect balance of sweet and acidic.
• Don’t want an alcoholic beverage? Leave out the prosecco and use elderflower cordial in place of the liqueur for a delicious mocktail option!
• You can find all the key ingredients for this easy, classic cocktail at your local grocery store and liquor store.
• Classic Aperol Spritz lovers rejoice! This delicious cocktail is an amazing competitor.

 

Ingredients You Will Need for This Delicious Hugo Cocktail

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• Fresh mint leaves: Although you could gently muddle the mint if you like to do it that way, I find that rubbing it between your hands releases the essential oils wonderfully to release the perfect mint flavor and a hint of sweetness.
• Elderflower Liqueur: St-Germain Elderflower liqueur is the most popular brand of elderflower liqueur, but there are more affordable brands of elderflower liqueur that you can use in its place. It is an essential ingredient for this recipe, but you can use elderflower cordial as a non-alcoholic option.
• Soda water: Soda water and club soda are the same. You could also get fancy and use San Pellegrino or Perrier for a slightly less bubbly drink while the soda water will ensures a longer lasting bubbly result. You can also use seltzer water, which is a common sparkling water option. I would not recommend tonic water as it will add to the sugar content of the drink and make it too bitter in taste.
• Prosecco: Prosecco is a sparkling wine from Italy and is known for its floral notes. It is typically dry, but the combination of the other ingredients give you a smooth and sweet result. It is a classic choice for this Hugo spritz. You can alternatively use champagne or cava if you prefer. Leave this out if you want to make a mocktail!
• Fresh lime juice: I prefer using freshly squeezed lime juice for this. You can use a store-bought lime juice also, but will want to make sure it is 100% juice.
• Garnishes: A slice of fresh lime or a lime wedge and a mint sprig are the perfect finish!

 

 

How To Make This Hugo Spritz Cocktail Recipe

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Rub the mint leaves between your hands for 10 seconds to release the essential oils and then place them in a wine glass. Add a large scoop of ice cubes to a large wine glass, followed by the St Germain, prosecco, soda water, and lime juice. Gently stir. Garnish with lime and mint before serving this refreshing cocktail.

Where Did Hugo Spritz Originate

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The Hugo Spritz originated in a small Italian town in Northern Italy, in the northern Italian province of South Tyrol, along the Austrian border. It gained its popularity in Europe as the perfect drink for the summer months, and thanks to social media and TikTok it is gaining ground in the United States. The Hugo Spritz gets its name from the main ingredient, elderflower liqueur, which is also known as “Hugo.” A bartender named Roland Gruber created it as an alternative to the Aperol Spritz. The elderflower spritz ingredients have changed along the way—the original recipe called for lemon balm syrup, which was later replaced with elderflower syrup.

Hugo Spritz vs. Aperol Spritz

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Hugo and Aperol are very similar in their ingredients. The main difference is that Hugo Spritz uses a different type of aperitif than Aperol Spritzes. Hugo Spritz is a sweet elderflower cocktail with a floral taste, while Aperol has a more bitter orange flavor. Hugo Spritzes also has a lower alcohol level than Aperol Spritzes.

Prosecco vs. Champagne

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Prosecco and champagne are both sparkling wines but are very different. Prosecco is generally more fruity and lighter in flavor, with notes of fruit pear, apple, honeysuckle, and floral flavors. Dry champagne is similar in taste to a dry white wine. It is also fruity but has the added flavor of nuts, cream, and toast. Champagne has bigger bubbles than prosecco and the aging process is much longer for champagne. Prosecco will not last as long in your liquor cabinet as champagne will. Both are great drinks, and in a pinch, you could use them interchangeably.

What Is Elderflower Liqueur?

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Elderflower liqueur is made from fresh elderflower blossoms picked from an elderflower bush. St Germain elderflower liqueur is the most popular brand. It is a French liqueur made with 1000 hand-picked fresh elderflowers per bottle, which I find fascinating. Do they literally count 1,000 blossoms each time? Anyway, elderflower liqueur has a floral and fruity essence with notes of elderflower, guava, and melon. This floral liqueur is often used in cocktails or mixed drinks.

Garnishes For A Hugo Spritz

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I like serving this Elderflower cocktail with mint leaves and a slice of lime, but you could get creative and serve it with a slice of lemon, sprig of rosemary or orange or pink grapefruit wedge.

Here are a few appetizers to enjoy with this elderflower cocktail: 

• Spicy Feta Dip
• Balsamic Zucchini & Bell Pepper Crostini
• Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Board
• Whipped Cheese with Blistered Tomatoes
• Goat Cheese, Pesto & Sundried Tomato Tower

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If you make this Elderflower Spritz Cocktail let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear what you think, or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram, I love seeing your photos!