Hugo Spritz

a square photo of a lime cocktail with a lime wheel and mint as garnish. It's on a metal tray with lime wedges and more mint

Named for its simplicity, the Hugo quickly became a popular summertime drink throughout Europe, offering a lighter, botanical alternative to other aperitifs.

Course Cocktail

Cuisine Italian

Keyword elderflower cocktail, Hugo spritz, the Hugo

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings cocktails

Calories 202kcal

Author Elaine Benoit

Equipment

Ingredients

4 leaves fresh mint
ice cubes
4 ounces elderflower liqueur
6 ounces Prosecco
2 ounces club soda (or sparkling water)

Garnish

2 sprigs fresh mint
2 thin lime wheels

Instructions

Place 2 leaves of fresh mint into each glass. Take your muddler (or the back of a spoon) and muddle the mints for a minute or until you can smell it without putting your face to the glasses.
4 leaves fresh mint
Add ice cubes to the glasses.
ice cubes
Add elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, and club soda.
4 ounces elderflower liqueur, 6 ounces Prosecco, 2 ounces club soda
Gently stir the ingredients together. Add a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wheel to each glass.
2 sprigs fresh mint, 2 thin lime wheels
Sip, smile, and enjoy.

Notes

Helpful tips

Use good-quality Prosecco and elderflower liqueur for the best taste. The better the ingredients, the better the drink.
If you only want to make a few Hugos and don't want to buy a large bottle of Prosecco, they are available in smaller sizes.
Although this drink was originally made with elderflower syrup, I find it too sweet. So, I use elderflower liqueur to lessen the sugar and for its unique and delicious taste. The difference between the liqueur and syrup or elderflower cordial is that the syrup and cordial don't have alcohol in them.
When muddling the mint, be gentle. The aim is to release the essential oils, not to shred the leaves. If you don't own a muddler, you can use the back of a wooden spoon.
Serve the Hugo spritz well chilled. Ensure both the Prosecco and soda water are refrigerated before use.
Feel free to adjust the proportions of Prosecco, elderflower liqueur, and soda to suit your taste. Some prefer a sweeter or stronger drink than others. If I have room in the glass, even when adding extra ice, I fill it up with more Prosecco.
You can substitute champagne for the Prosecco if you prefer, but it will alter the taste profile.
While lime slices and a sprig of mint are traditional, you can experiment with other garnishes like cucumber slices or fresh berries for a different twist.

Nutrition