Refreshing Hugo Spritz Cocktail Recipe

Summer is here, and what better way to cool off than with a delicious Hugo Spritz cocktail? You can craft this delightful drink quickly with just a few easy-to-find ingredients—elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, sparkling mineral water, fresh mint, and lime.

It's perfect for happy hour on the patio or an impressive yet nearly effortless addition to your next summer weekend gathering. It's one cocktail that's sure to have everyone sipping in style!

I partnered with Caposaldo to make this Hugo Spritz cocktail. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

With summer in full swing, it's time to look for refreshing ways to counteract the heat with a cold icy drink. And what better way than with a delicious Hugo Spritz cocktail?

The Aperol Spritz, espresso martini, limoncello spritz, and Dirty Shirley have been popular drinks. Move over, Aperol Spritz. The Hugo Spritz cocktail is the summer drink of 2023!

For more refreshing cocktails, try this Strawberry Elderflower Gin Fizz, Red Wine Spritzer, Meyer Lemon French 75, or this Lavender Elderflower Gin Sour.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love a Hugo Spritz
• History of the Hugo Spritz
• Ingredients
• How to make this Hugo Spritz recipe
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Expert Tip
• FAQ
• Related
• Pairing
• Recipe
• Comments

Why You'll Love a Hugo Spritz

A spritz is refreshing and not as strong as a glass of wine. Spritzes tend to have a lower level of alcohol than wine or stronger cocktails. The ABV usually ranges from 4% to 5%, making it a natural choice for a light cocktail on a summer afternoon.

This zesty blend will tantalize you by combining prosecco, elderflower liqueur muddled with fresh mint, and juicy limes. Perfect for lazy weekends spent by the pool or an entertaining evening on the patio dining al fresco style, this easy-to-mix cocktail will quickly become your go-to in no time!

A Hugo Spritz is perfect for enjoying and sipping outside on a hot day at aperitivo time before dinner, at brunch, or at an afternoon garden party. It's fizzy and invigorating! There's no need to go to a cocktail bar; making this effervescent cocktail at home is easy!

History of the Hugo Spritz

It is believed that Roland Gruber, a bartender in a northern Italian province called South Tyrol in the heart of the Dolomite Mountain range, created the Hugo Spritz in 2005.

The Hugo Spritz is an alternative to the widely known Aperol Spritz, which originates in nearby Padua, Italy. The original recipe called for lemon balm syrup; however, elderflower syrup or liqueur is easier to find.

Ingredients

You only need three main ingredients, plus fresh mint and lime, to make this easy cocktail recipe.

• Prosecco - Prosecco is a sparkling wine made in Italy. It's the go-to choice for many spritzes. I used Caposaldo Prosecco, which has a fruity aroma of acacia blossoms, citrus, and green apple. It is a classic food-friendly Italian wine with an accessible price tag that will elevate your summer gatherings!  
• Elderflower liqueur - for a naturally sweet flavor characteristic of this drink. I used elderflower liqueur since it's easy to find in the United States. Adjust the amount to your taste.
• Sparkling water - I used Italian sparkling water.
• Fresh mint - for freshness
• Fresh lime - garnish your Hugo Spritz with a lime wheel or a lime wedge.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to make this Hugo Spritz recipe

Here are the simple steps to make this refreshing Hugo cocktail recipe:

Serve this cocktail immediately. Cheers!

Hint: For a party, make a large batch of Hugo Spritzes. Add 2 cups of elderflower liqueur to a pitcher. Top with a bottle of prosecco, and finish with a cup of sparkling water. Using a bartender's spoon, stir the ingredients to blend.

Taste, and add more sparkling water or prosecco to get that balance of flavor and strength you like. Fill wine glasses halfway with ice, add lime slices, invite everyone to pour their own serving, and garnish with fresh mint.

Substitutions

Here are some substitutions when making this cocktail:

• Elderflower liqueur - Instead of an elderflower liqueur, you can use elderflower syrup or elderflower cordial - you may need to use up to 2 oz; adjust to taste. Elderflower syrup is used in Europe to make a Hugo Spritz. However, it isn't easy to find locally. But you can order it online. I like this elderflower cordial made in Poland as an alternative to elderflower liqueur.
• Prosecco - use Spanish Cava, French Champagne, or another sparkling white wine. Prosecco is a sparkling wine made in Italy.
• Sparkling water - try flavored sparkling water, one with lime or elderflower. I don't recommend tonic water. However, you can use club soda.
• Lime - use a slice of lemon or a lemon wedge instead.

Variations

Here are some variations you can try:

• Alcohol-free or Mocktail - replace the elderflower liqueur with elderflower syrup and the prosecco with sparkling water or elderflower sparkling water.
• Less boozy - use ½ ounce of elderflower liqueur instead of 1 ounce.

Equipment

Here is what you need to make this cocktail:

• Muddler or a spoon to gently crush the mint.
• Bar spoon or straw to stir the drink. I avoid plastic straws since there are eco-friendly alternatives.
• White wine glasses.

Storage

This Hugo Spritz cocktail is best enjoyed immediately. Cheers!

FAQ

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this cocktail:

Whether you are hosting a gathering or want to enjoy a refreshing sip as an aperitivo, you now know how to whip up this popular seasonal Italian classic.

If you make this recipe, please take a moment to ★★★★★ star-rate it and leave a comment below. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook, and share your creation with me! Tag me @resplendentkitchen and hashtag #resplendentkitchenrecipes.

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