This Hugo Spritz Cocktail recipe is made with St-Germain elderflower liqueur that is muddled with mint leaves and topped with prosecco and sparkling seltzer water.
It’s the ultimate refreshing and light drink with a sweet, floral, and effervescent flavor. Plus, it only takes 5 minutes and can easily be batched for serving a crowd.
I’m a big Italian spritz fan, so you should also check out my Limoncello Spritz, Aperol Spritz, or Martini Royale if you also enjoy this Hugo cocktail recipe. Or, if you’re after more elderflower cocktails, you might also like my Elderflower Gin and Tonic or Lemon Elderflower Sour.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s simple – this recipe requires no fancy equipment and ingredients that are easily found in any grocery and liquor store.
- It’s flexible – it can be made for one or it can be batched for an entire crowd, so it’s perfect for a solo cocktail or for entertaining your friends and family.
- It is a low alcohol beverage – if you have trouble with hangovers or just don’t care for stronger drinks, this cocktail is for you. St-Germain and other elderflower liqueurs has a lower in ABV (alcohol by volume) than vodka, gin, etc. even when it’s topped with sparkling prosecco wine.
What is a Hugo Spritz?
Hugo Spritzes hail from Northern Italy, specifically South Tyrol, which is below the southern Austrian border. They were created by Roland Gruber in 2005 as an alternative to Aperol Spritz cocktails that are popular in Venice.
Early versions of the cocktail used lemon balm syrup, but that was replaced by elderflower syrup, and later St. Germain elderflower liqueur. The name was originally called an Otto Spritz, but later changed to Hugo Spritz.
Ingredient Notes
- Fresh mint – You definitely want to use fresh mint here, not the dried stuff. If you don’t have mint on hand, fresh basil will work as well.
- Elderflower liqueur – The most popular brand of elderflower liqueur is St. Germain liqueur. Another brand is St. Elder, which is just a little cheaper. Both have a great flavor, and I regularly use both. There is just a minor variation of flavor and texture.
- Prosecco – Make sure that you opt for a dry or brut prosecco. Any dry sparkling wine like a dry or brut cava works as well. Using a different sparkling wine might make the cocktail a little “less of an Italian spritz” though given that prosecco is the sparkling wine of Italy.
- Seltzer – Plain seltzer works great, but if you want some extra flavor a flavored sparkling water like grapefruit, lime, or lemon flavored would also work. I typically make mine own seltzer water in my SodaStream.
- Lemon slices and/or extra mint for garnish – This is optional, and lime slices will also work if you don’t have any lemons on hand.
Pro Tip
For an even lower ABV cocktail, elderflower syrup (sometimes called “elderflower coridal”) can replace elderflower liqueur in this recipe as it was used in one of the original variations of the recipe.
Elderflower syrups aren’t as readily available in the U.S., but I have had luck finding elderflower syrup at Ikea, of all places! On the opposite side, if you prefer a stronger drink, you can easily add a shot of gin or vodka.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Images 1-2: Add the mint and elderflower liqueur to a large wine glass.
Images 3-4: Gently muddle the mint and elderflower liqueur together, then add ice cubes.
Images 5-6: Top with bubbly prosecco and seltzer water.
Garnish with a few lemon slices and a sprig of mint, if using.
Recipe FAQ
No one is sure – it was a randomly chosen name. The drink was originally called an Otto Spritz but later changed to Hugo Spritz.
Elderflower liqueur is always sweet and lightly floral. Both brands have notes of sweet citrus, floral, and honey. St-Germain has a slightly thicker, viscous texture and mouthfeel.
Yes, you can definitely do that. It is very sweet, so take that into account when you pour yourself a shot. It has a delicious and delicate flavor all on its own.
I have full measurements and instructions listed in the recipe below for making enough for up to 8 cocktails.
To make ahead, you can muddle the mint and elderflower liqueur together and refrigerate, then add the prosecco and seltzer water right before serving to make sure that the Hugo Spritz doesn’t go flat.
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Hugo Spritz Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 3-4 mint leaves
- 2 ounces elderflower liqueur (suggest St. Germain or St. Elder)
- 3 ounces prosecco dry or brut
- 1 ounce seltzer water
- Lemon slices and/or mint slices for garnish optional
Instructions
- Add mint leaves and elderflower liqueur to a large wine glass.
- Gently muddle the mint and elderflower liqueur with a muddler or the back of a spoon.
- Add ice, then top with prosecco and seltzer water.
- Add lemon slices and extra mint, if using.
Notes
- 25-30 mint leaves
- 2 cups elderflower liqueur
- 1 bottle Prosecco (750 ml)
- 1 cup seltzer water
- Lemon slices and/or extra mint for garnish, optional
- In a pitcher than can hold at least 50 ounces, add the mint leaves. Top with elderflower liqueur.
- Using a muddler or large spoon, muddle mint and elderflower liqueur together in the bottom of the pitcher.
- Top with prosecco and seltzer water.
- Gently stir and add the lemon slices and/or mint, if using.
- Add to cocktail glasses filled with ice.
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