This Hugo spritz is the perfect cocktail to enjoy on a hot day. Made with Prosecco, elderflower liqueur, and fresh mint, this cocktail is light, slightly sweet, floral, and refreshing. It’s my go-to drink to sip on this summer and is surely going to be yours as well!
This Hugo spritz takes me straight back to sitting along the water in Paros, Greece, watching the sunset and feeling grateful to be in such a special part of the world.
I usually order an Aperol spritz without hesitation, but on this occasion my husband wanted to join in on the joy of an afternoon spritz, but he is not a fan of Aperol. I ordered us both a Hugo spritz instead because it is sweet, floral, and refreshing rather than bitter. It was the perfect drink for a warm afternoon.
From that moment on it became our go to order, so of course it needed to carry through our hot Australian summer.
The key to a great Hugo spritz is the elderflower liqueur, most commonly St-Germain. It is mixed with Prosecco and soda water to create a light and bubbly cocktail that is perfect for sipping.
But let me tell you what makes this the absolute best Hugo spritz recipe, a tip straight from that tiny bar on the water in Paros…you must add a ribbon of cucumber and a slice of lime to the glass! The freshness from the cucumber completely lifts the flavour and makes the whole drink feel brighter.
Whatever you are celebrating this summer, this spritz is the perfect choice when you want something light, refreshing, and just a little bit different.
Key Ingredients
The best part about this Hugo spritz recipe is that it requires just three ingredients plus your garnishes.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Elderflower liqueur – any brand will work, but St-Germain is the most common and gives a beautiful floral sweetness.
- Prosecco – use a Prosecco you actually enjoy drinking. A dry Prosecco works well here to balance the sweetness of the elderflower.
- Soda Water – You can use club soda water or sparkling mineral water. Add a little extra if you prefer a lighter, less alcoholic spritz (or if they’re going down a bit too easily!).
- Mint – a key flavour in a Hugo spritz.
- Garnishes – don’t skip the lime slice and cucumber ribbon! They make the drink look beautiful and add a refreshing layer of flavour. I use a simple vegetable peeler to make the cucumber ribbons.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Just like with making a limoncello spritz, there aren’t any special instructions or equipment needed making it one of the simplest cocktails you can make.
Start with the glass. I am just using my wine glasses as a spritz is best served in a large wine glass.
Next, add in the St-Germain Elderflower liqueur and a few mint leaves. Give it a gentle muddle with a spoon to infuse the mint flavour.
Fill the glass about halfway with ice and pour in your prosecco, followed by the soda water.
Once you’ve made a couple you will be able to eyeball the ratios but measuring ensures you get that balance just right.
Add in the lime slice and cucumber, and give the drink a stir to mix together. Finish with an extra sprig of mint if you like.
Recipe FAQs
A Hugo spritz is a refreshing cocktail made with elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, soda water, and fresh mint. While I was drinking them in Greece, they actually originated in the northern region of Italy.
It’s light, floral, slightly sweet, and beautifully refreshing. If, like my husband, you find Aperol spritz too bitter, this is the perfect alternative.
You can! Use a non-alcoholic sparkling wine and swap the elderflower liqueur for elderflower cordial. Add extra soda water to taste.
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
More refreshing summer drinks:
Lemon Spritz Mocktail
Non Alcoholic Cherry Spritz
Non Alcoholic Mojito
Sparkling Watermelon Lime Mocktail
Hugo Spritz Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ounce / 2 tablespoons / 30 ml St-Germain or elderflower liqueur
- 3 ounces / 6 tablespoons / 90 ml prosecco
- 1 ounce / 2 tablespoons / 30 ml soda water
- mint leaves
- lime slices
- cucumber ribbons
- ice
Instructions
- Add the St-Germain and a few mint leaves to a large wine glass. Gently muddle with the back of a spoon to release the mint flavour.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Pour over the Prosecco, then top with the soda water.
- Garnish with a slice of lime and a cucumber ribbon.
- Serve immediately while cold.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
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