This classic Hugo Spritz recipe is the perfect balance of floral, citrusy and bubbly.

Hugo Spritz

It’s the summer of the Hugo Spritz! ♡

We keep spotting this refreshing cocktail on cocktail menus everywhere lately. And it’s easy to see why — light, floral, citrusy, and gently bubbly, it tastes like pure summer in a glass. Originating in the South Tyrol region of northern Italy, I read that the Hugo gained popularity as a lighter, more aromatic alternative to the slightly bitter Aperol or Campari spritzes. I love it because it’s effortlessly elegant, not too sweet, and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.

Mix up a single serving or batch it in a pitcher (similar to sangria vibes) for easy entertaining. It’s the kind of cocktail that fits right in at patio hangouts, dinner parties, or any moment that deserves a little sparkle. Let’s spritz!

Recipe Tips

When making a Hugo Spritz, here are 5 quick tips to keep in mind:

Use chilled ingredients. Start with cold prosecco, club soda, and even chill your glass ahead of time if possible — it keeps the drink crisp and cool without diluting it too quickly.
Pick a dry prosecco. Since elderflower liqueur adds sweetness, I recommend a brut or extra dry prosecco to keep the cocktail balanced and refreshing.
Go easy on the elderflower. A little St-Germain goes a long way, so if you’re sensitive to floral flavors, I recommend starting with slightly less elderflower liqueur the recipe calls for — you can always add more later.
Adjust to taste. That said, all of these ingredients are flexible, so feel free to tinker with the amount of mint, citrus and/or club soda to taste.
Have fun with garnishes. Use as many or as few as you like — I always enjoy a few lemon rounds and extra mint!

Hugo Spritz Variations

Here are 5 fun variations you can try to put a fresh spin on the classic Hugo Spritz:

Berry Hugo: Muddle a few fresh strawberries or raspberries into the glass along with the mint.
Rosé Hugo: Replace the Prosecco with a sparkling rosé.
Basil Hugo: Swap the mint for fresh basil leaves (or try a mix with both mint and basil).
Gin Hugo: Add a splash of gin (0.5 to 1 ounce) for a stronger, botanical vibe.
Cucumber Hugo: Add a few slices of fresh cucumber.
Spicy Hugo: Muddle a few slices of fresh jalapeño or serrano peppers with the mint.

Hugo Spritz

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Author: Ali
Prep Time: 3 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins
Total Time: 3 mins
Yield: 1 serving 1x

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Description

This classic Hugo Spritz recipe is the perfect balance of floral, citrusy and bubbly.

Ingredients

Scale

1 ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur
6 fresh mint leaves
ice
lemon or lime slices
4 ounces chilled prosecco
1 ounce chilled sparkling water or club soda
lemon or lime slices and fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

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Instructions

Muddle the mint. Add the St-Germain and mint leaves to a large wine glass. Use a cocktail muddler to very lightly muddle the mint and release its aroma.
Finish the cocktail. Fill the glass halfway full of ice and a few lemon or lime slices. Add the prosecco and stir to combine. Top with the sparkling water, then garnish with extra lemon or lime slices and mint if desired.
Serve. Serve immediately and enjoy!