Hugo spritz

Hugo Spritz

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A refreshing Italian aperitif cocktail made with elderflower liqueur, prosecco, soda water, fresh mint, and lime.

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Wine Glass

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Recipe

1 cocktail (250ml)
  • Elderflower Liqueur 
    30 ml
  • Prosecco 
    120 ml
  • Club Soda 
    40 ml
  • Mint Leaves 
    8 leaves
  • Lime 
    2 slices
  • Mint Sprigs 
    1 sprig
Recipe credit: Roland Gruber, South Tyrol, Italy

Instructions

Step

Place 8 fresh mint leaves in a large wine glass and add the elderflower liqueur. Gently muddle the mint leaves to release their oils without crushing them aggressively. Let the mixture infuse for 2-3 minutes.

Step

Fill the glass with ice cubes to the rim.

Step

Slowly pour the chilled prosecco over the ice to preserve carbonation.

Step

Top with chilled club soda, pouring slowly to maintain the bubbles.

Step

Stir very gently with a bar spoon to combine ingredients without losing carbonation.

Step

Garnish with lime slices and a fresh mint sprig. Serve immediately while cold and fizzy.

Equipment

Muddler
Bar spoon

Description

The Hugo Spritz is an elegant Italian aperitif cocktail from the South Tyrol region, featuring elderflower liqueur, prosecco, soda water, fresh mint, and lime. This sophisticated drink belongs to the spritz family and offers a light, refreshing alternative to heavier cocktails, perfect for warm weather entertaining and social gatherings.

Nutritional information

1 cocktail (250ml)
Calories
165
ABV
9.2 %
Alcohol
18.2 g
Carbs
11.5 g
Carbs from Sugar
11.2 g
Fat
0 g
Protein
0.1 g
Sodium
8 mg
Nutritional information is approximate and includes estimated 30% dilution from ice. Values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.
Allergens
Sulfites

Tips & Notes

  • Chill all ingredients beforehand to maintain the drink's refreshing quality and preserve carbonation longer.

  • Muddle mint gently - over-muddling releases bitter compounds that can overpower the delicate elderflower flavors.

  • Pour sparkling ingredients slowly and stir minimally to preserve the essential carbonation that defines this spritz.

  • Use a dry/brut prosecco to balance the sweetness of the elderflower liqueur and prevent the drink from becoming cloying.

  • Adjust the ratio to taste - more soda water for a lighter drink, more elderflower for increased sweetness.

Elderflower liqueur is essential to the Hugo Spritz’s character. St-Germain is the most popular choice, but other elderflower liqueurs like St. Elder work well. The original recipe used lemon balm syrup, which you could try as an alternative.

The traditional ratio is 3:2:1 (prosecco:elderflower:soda water), but this can be adjusted to taste. Start with 120ml prosecco, 30ml elderflower liqueur, and 40ml soda water, then modify based on your preference for sweetness and alcohol content.

Yes! Use one 750ml bottle of prosecco, 480ml elderflower liqueur, and 240ml soda water. Combine in a pitcher with ice and garnishes. Stir gently and serve immediately to preserve carbonation.

Generally no – the Hugo Spritz is already well-balanced without additional lime juice. The lime garnish provides aroma and visual appeal. However, if you prefer more tartness to balance the elderflower sweetness, a light squeeze is acceptable.

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Cocktail Difficulty Levels

We’ve added a difficulty rating to every cocktail so you’ll know what to expect before you start mixing. It’s not about being “hard” or “easy” in the strict sense—it’s about how much preparation, skill, and hunting for ingredients you’ll need.

  • Beginner – Quick builds or simple shakes with common ingredients you’ll likely already have at home. Perfect for beginners or a casual evening.

  • Intermediate – A bit more technique (stirring, shaking, muddling, layering) and a few extra ingredients. You might need to buy one or two bottles or garnishes you don’t already stock.

  • Advanced – Multiple steps, specialty techniques (infusions, syrups, foams), or rare ingredients. These drinks take more effort and planning, but reward you with something truly impressive.

The rating is based on things like the number of ingredients, how rare they are, and the skills needed to bring the cocktail together.

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Recipe notes

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Quick recipe

Ingredients

  • Elderflower Liqueur
    30 ml
  • Prosecco
    120 ml
  • Club Soda
    40 ml
  • Mint Leaves
    8 leaves
  • Lime
    2 slices
  • Mint Sprigs
    1 sprig

Method

  1. Place 8 fresh mint leaves in a large wine glass and add the elderflower liqueur. Gently muddle the mint leaves to release their oils without crushing them aggressively. Let the mixture infuse for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Fill the glass with ice cubes to the rim.
  3. Slowly pour the chilled prosecco over the ice to preserve carbonation.
  4. Top with chilled club soda, pouring slowly to maintain the bubbles.
  5. Stir very gently with a bar spoon to combine ingredients without losing carbonation.
  6. Garnish with lime slices and a fresh mint sprig. Serve immediately while cold and fizzy.