Cool down with a refreshing Hugo Spritz! This bubbly cocktail mixes elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine, and fresh mint for a light and flavorful summer drink that’s easy to make at home.
This cocktail might be the literal definition of refreshing. If you love bubbly spritzes, run don’t walk to try the Hugo Spritz cocktail! This Italian cocktail is a spin-off on the Aperol spritz and even better, in our opinion.
Why we love this recipe: A Hugo Spritz is made with delicate floral elderflower liqueur and bubbly Prosecco, which compliment each other perfectly. The bubbly combination transports you right to Northern Italy, where this cocktail was born and is popular to this day! It’s nuanced and lightly sweet, compared to the bold sweetness of an Aperol spritz.
What’s a Hugo Spritz?
The Hugo cocktail is a spritz cocktail made with Prosecco, elderflower syrup, and soda water. The drink was invented in 2005 by Roland Gruber in Northern Italy (the South Tyrol region just south of Austria). He created the drink as an alternative to the classic Aperol spritz, and it quickly spread across the country and into Europe.
Hugo Spritz ingredients
The Hugo Spritz cocktail is light and floral, accented with the delicate bubbles of Prosecco. Where the Aperol spritz is sweet and citrusy, this spin is sophisticated and even more refreshing. The original Hugo Spritz used elderflower syrup. Here in the US it’s easier to find a bottle of St Germain elderflower liqueur, so it’s a natural substitute. Here’s are the ingredients you need:
- St-Germain liqueur: St-Germain is a liqueur made with elderflower, known for its floral flavor.
- Prosecco: This Italian sparkling white wine is from the Veneto region, with a delicate flavor and light bubbles. You can use any type of champagne if desired.
- Soda water: Use club soda or unflavored sparkling water (we use our SodaStream to make it at home). Avoid tonic water here, since it is flavored with quinine and lightly sweetened.
- Fresh mint: Fresh mint as a garnish is what makes it a Hugo Spritz.
Tip: A 750 ml bottle of Prosecco is 25 ounces, enough for 8 drinks. If you’re making 2 drinks, a mini bottle is perfect—it holds 187 mL or about 6 ounces!
How to make a Hugo Spritz cocktail
The Hugo cocktail is so easy to make: you don’t even have to dirty a cocktail shaker! The spritz family of drinks is fantastic because you simply pour the ingredients into a glass.
The Hugo spritz is easy to make, and you can build the drink it right in the glass. This makes it a great choice for entertaining, especially as a summer cocktail. Here are the basic steps (or jump to the full recipe):
Step 1: Add St-Germain to a glass filled with ice and stir. Top with sparkling wine.
Step 2: Add soda water. Garnish with fresh mint and serve.
More about St-Germain
The key to this Hugo spritz cocktail is the elderflower liqueur, which infuses a delicate floral flavor throughout the drink. St-Germain is one of our favorite unique liquors to stock. Here’s a bit more about it:
- St-Germain is a liqueur that’s made with elderflowers, the small white flowers of an elderberry plant. The flavor is light, sweetly floral, and fragrant.
- How do you say St Germain? The name is French, so say “Sahn-jer-MAHN” with your best French accent.
- Fun fact: it’s relatively new to the scene. Get this: St Germain was invented in 2007! The vintage-looking bottle makes it seem like it has hundreds of years of history, but it’s a newcomer. (Here’s the story behind it.)
- What cocktails can you make with St-Germain? Try the French Gimlet and all our top St Germain Cocktails.
Prosecco & more sparkling wines
Traditionally a Hugo spritz cocktail uses Prosecco, the Italian version of champagne. But you can use any type of sparkling wine you like! Make sure it is “Brut,” which means that it is dry. Here’s a breakdown of the major types of sparkling wine including Prosecco vs Champagne:
- Prosecco: Italian sparkling wine. It’s a slightly sweeter than champagne and has lighter bubbles. It’s fruity and flowery, with notes of apple, pear and lemon.
- Champagne: French sparkling wine. It tastes bubbly and fruity, with undertones of almond and orange. It’s typically the most expensive sparkling wine.
- Cava: Spanish sparkling wine. It has more citrus notes, and is a little more savory and less fruity.
More spritz recipes
There are lots of members of the spritz family! The Aperol spritz is the most popular, but try these other types of spritz recipes to enjoy bubbly drinks all season long:
- Try the famous and undeniably delicious Aperol Spritz
- Go bubbly and bitter with a Campari Spritz
- Try a unique caramel flavored Amaro Spritz
- Opt for a citrusy St Germain Spritz
Frequently asked questions
Both are refreshing spritzes, but Aperol Spritz uses a bitter orange liqueur, while Hugo Spritz features the floral and delicate elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain).
St-Germain is the classic choice, but you can substitute with another elderflower liqueur or elderflower syrup. Elderflower is key the flavor here.
Get creative! Try adding muddled berries, a squeeze of citrus, or a sprig of rosemary for a unique twist.
Hugo Cocktail
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Prep Time: 5 minutes -
Cook Time: 0 minutes
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Total Time: 5 minutes
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Yield: 1 drink
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Cool down with a refreshing Hugo Spritz! This bubbly cocktail mixes elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine, and fresh mint for a light and flavorful summer drink that’s easy to make at home.
Ingredients
- 1 ounces (2 tablespoons) St Germain liqueur (chilled if possible)
- 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) Prosecco or other sparkling wine, chilled
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) soda water
- Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)
- For the garnish: fresh mint
Instructions
- Add the St Germain to a glass filled with ice and stir.
- Top with the sparkling wine and soda water. Add mint and serve.
Category: Drink
Method: Stirred
Cuisine: European
Diet: Vegan
Tip: A 750 ml bottle of Prosecco is 25 ounces, enough for 8 drinks. If you’re making 2 drinks, a mini bottle is perfect—it holds 187 mL or about 6 ounces!
