Hugo Spritz
- Glass
- Rocks
- Difficulty
- Easy
- ABV
- ~9%
Ingredients
- 1 ozelderflower liqueur30 ml
- 3 ozprosecco90 ml
- 4-5 leavesfresh mint leaves4-5 leaves
- 1 ozclub soda30 ml
Instructions
Fill a large wine glass or rocks glass with ice. Add the fresh mint leaves — don't muddle them, just add them whole. Pour the Prosecco over the ice and mint, then add the elderflower liqueur, then a splash of club soda. Give it one gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine. The mint will perfume the drink without being muddled into it. Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint — slap it against your palm first to release the aromatics — and a thin lime wheel on the rim.
Sips & Tips
Technique
Don't muddle the mint — just add the leaves whole. The mint will gently perfume the drink as it sits in the glass without releasing the bitter compounds that come from muddling. Slap the garnish mint against your palm before adding it; the impact releases the aromatic oils and makes the drink smell incredible.
Balance
St-Germain is the benchmark elderflower liqueur — its floral, lychee-like flavor is the soul of the Hugo Spritz. Use a dry Prosecco to balance the elderflower's sweetness. The mint is subtle but essential — it adds a fresh, herbal note that lifts the whole drink. The club soda adds lightness and dilution.
History
The Hugo Spritz was created by Roland Gruber at the Café Löwen in Naturns, South Tyrol, Italy, in 2005. It was originally made with elderflower syrup rather than liqueur. The drink spread rapidly through the Alpine regions of Italy, Austria, and Germany before becoming a global phenomenon. It's now one of the most popular spritz variations in Europe.
The Hugo Spritz is the most elegant of the spritz family — floral, refreshing, and genuinely beautiful. The mint makes it. Cheers.
Variations
Hugo with Gin
Add ½ oz of a floral gin like Hendrick's or The Botanist. The gin adds a botanical complexity that elevates the Hugo from a simple spritz to a more sophisticated cocktail. Reduce the elderflower liqueur to ¾ oz.
Elderflower Spritz
Replace the Prosecco with sparkling water and add ½ oz of fresh lime juice. The result is a completely alcohol-free version — refreshing, floral, and perfect for non-drinkers. Add a few cucumber slices for extra freshness.
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Hugo Spritz
Glass: Rocks | Difficulty: Easy | ABV: ~9%
Ingredients
- 1 oz elderflower liqueur
- 3 oz prosecco
- 4-5 leaves fresh mint leaves
- 1 oz club soda
Instructions
Fill a large wine glass or rocks glass with ice. Add the fresh mint leaves — don't muddle them, just add them whole. Pour the Prosecco over the ice and mint, then add the elderflower liqueur, then a splash of club soda. Give it one gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine. The mint will perfume the drink without being muddled into it. Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint — slap it against your palm first to release the aromatics — and a thin lime wheel on the rim.