I love sipping a Hugo spritz on a hot day! Made with prosecco, elderflower liqueur, and fresh mint, this Italian cocktail is floral and refreshing.
Have you ever tried a Hugo spritz? This Italian cocktail is bubbly and bright, with floral notes from elderflower liqueur and herbal depth from fresh mint. It’s just as refreshing as an Aperol spritz, its better-known cousin, but it doesn’t have any of Aperol’s bitterness. Instead, it’s lightly sweet and delicate.
It’s one of my favorite cocktails to sip on a hot summer day—always on a patio, and preferably in Italy…though more likely in my own backyard. Luckily, this Hugo spritz recipe is easy to make with 5 ingredients, so it couldn’t be simpler to mix up at home.
What is a Hugo Spritz?
A Hugo spritz is a sparkling wine cocktail made with prosecco, elderflower liqueur, club soda, and fresh mint. It’s typically garnished with more mint and a lemon or lime wedge.
It’s a relatively new addition to the classic cocktail canon. The Hugo spritz was created in the South Tyrol region of Northern Italy in 2005 by the bartender Roland Gruber.
Hugo Spritz Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Hugo spritz recipe:
- Prosecco – Though you could use another sparkling wine like cava or Champagne here, prosecco is the most common choice. Fun fact: Prosecco is produced in the Veneto region of Italy, which borders the South Tyrol region where this cocktail was created!
- Elderflower liqueur – It adds sweet, floral notes to the spritz. St-Germain is the most widely available, but you could use any elderflower liqueur or elderflower cordial here. You could even sub an elderflower syrup for a lower-ABV drink.
- Sparkling water – It adds extra bubbles and balances the wine and liqueur.
- Fresh mint – You’ll add some to the drink and use more for garnish.
- A lemon or lime slice – For garnish. It gives the cocktail a bright, citrusy finish.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make a Hugo Spritz
The Hugo spritz belongs to the spritz family of cocktails, which usually have a 3:2:1 ratio of sparkling wine, liqueur, and club soda.
I actually prefer a slightly different ratio in a Hugo spritz, going heavier on the prosecco and lighter on the liqueur. I love this balance of flavors, but feel free to play with the ratios in this recipe to create a balance you love.
Here’s how you’ll make it:
- Start by muddling the mint. Place a sprig of mint in a large wine glass and add the elderflower liqueur. Gently muddle, then let the mixture sit for a few minutes to infuse.
- Fill the glass with ice and top it with the prosecco and soda water. Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with more fresh mint leaves and a lemon or lime wheel. Enjoy!
Variation: St-Germain Spritz
A St-Germain spritz is essentially a simplified version of a Hugo spritz. It consists of prosecco, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, and club soda. Just skip the mint and lime in this recipe, and you’ll have a St-Germain spritz! I love a lemon twist for garnish.
(The traditional ratio for a St-Germain spritz is 1.5 parts St-Germain to 2 parts prosecco to 2 parts soda water—feel free to adjust as you like!)
More Summer Cocktails to Try
If you love this Hugo spritz cocktail recipe, try one of these refreshing summer cocktails next:
Hugo Spritz
Serves 1
Learn how to make a Hugo spritz! This Italian cocktail is bubbly, bright, herbaceous, and refreshing. I love sipping one on hot summer days.
- 1 fresh mint sprig, plus more fresh mint for garnish
- ½ ounce elderflower liqueur, such as St-Germain
- Ice
- 4 ounces prosecco
- 1 ounce club soda or sparkling water
- Lemon or lime wheel, for garnish
Prevent your screen from going dark
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Place the mint sprig in a large wine glass. Add the elderflower liqueur and gently muddle. Set aside for 3 to 5 minutes to infuse.
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Add ice to the glass, then pour in the prosecco and club soda and gently stir.
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Garnish with fresh mint and a lemon wheel and serve.