Hugo Spritz Cocktail

Warm days call for refreshing drinks. For those of age, classic boozy seasonal sippers such as the Aperol spritz or mint mojito are perfect choices, but a less widely known cocktail we love to prep on a sunny day is a Hugo spritz.

This drink is the ideal combination of floral and herbal flavors, plus bubbles to help cool you off. It’s also easy to turn into a batched cocktail, so you can pour glasses to share with family or friends for a perfect patio drink.

What is a Hugo spritz?

This easy cocktail combines elderflower liqueur—such as St-Germain—with Prosecco, soda water and fresh mint leaves. (Adding the mint creates an aromatic twist on a traditional St-Germain spritz, which is usually a lighter, less boozy drink.)

If you’re looking for a low-ABV option during happy hour, a flavored hard seltzer would be an easy, low-effort choice. However, a Hugo spritz is a similarly light drink that requires barely any effort to prepare, and which wins bonus points for its vintage cocktail vibe. It’s a great drink to sip while relaxing in the backyard on a hot day.

Hugo Spritz Ingredients

• Fresh mint: This cocktail features vibrant, herbaceous flavors, and that’s all because it’s a fresh mint recipe. Mint syrups and dried mint just don’t compare.
• Elderflower liqueur: Elderflower liqueurs like St-Germain bring complexity and a subtle floral flavor to this cocktail.
• Prosecco: Use Prosecco or sparkling wine to add a depth of flavor and effervescent bubbles to this cocktail. You could even prepare it as a champagne cocktail if those are the only bubbles you have on hand.
• Soda water: For extra bubbly, finish the Hugo spritz cocktail with a splash of soda water.
• Lime: Garnish your cocktail with a slice of lime for a pop of citrus and vibrant color.

Directions

Step 1: Combine mint and elderflower liqueur

Fill a large wine or rocks glass with ice.

Add mint leaves and elderflower liqueur.

Stir to combine.

Step 2: Top with bubbly and garnish

Top with Prosecco and soda water, and garnish the cocktail with a slice of lime.

Hugo Spritz Variations

• Add berries: Try incorporating fresh raspberries or blackberries. Muddle them in the bottom of the glass before adding the mint and elderflower liqueur.
• Include citrus: Consider including lemon, grapefruit or additional lime. Squeeze fresh citrus juice into the cocktail, or muddle wedges of fruit with the mint and elderflower liqueur.
• Try another bubbly: Prosecco and soda water add bubbles and gently enhance this cocktail’s flavor, but you could also use a sparkling rose for a more fruit-forward cocktail.

How to Store Hugo Spritz

If you’re prepping single cocktails, it’s best to enjoy a Hugo spritz right away. However, you can also prep a batch of cocktails ahead of time so they’re ready to serve when needed. In a large container, combine the mint and elderflower liqueur, and then add the Prosecco and soda water right when you’re ready to serve to prevent the bubbles from going flat. Pour the mixture into ice-filled glasses, and garnish the cocktails with lime before serving them.

Hugo Spritz Tips

What’s the best glass for a Hugo spritz?

This is a lively, refreshing cocktail, and you want plenty of room for the mint leaves and liquid in the beverage. Serve the Hugo spritz in a large wine glass or rocks glass. Of course, really any type of cocktail glass will work in a pinch.

How do you prepare mint for the cocktail garnish?

Extracting the oils of the fresh mint leaves will offer a more pronounced flavor for your drinks. For robust mint notes in your cocktail, place the leaves in one hand and gently smack them with the other. This will release oils before you add the mint to your glass.

When should you serve a Hugo spritz?

This light, refreshing cocktail can be served for many occasions and pairs well with a variety of dishes. Serve it with appetizers such as antipasto skewers or chips and fresh strawberry salsa before diving into a meal, or try it as a brunch cocktail. It’s also the ideal cocktail  to enjoy outside after an alfresco dinner on a warm evening.