Hugo Spritz Recipe

It’s the summer of the spritz! Add a Hugo Spritz to your repertoire, and enjoy the fresh and floral notes of this lovely cocktail.

Let’s hear it for the spritz! Spritzes are easy, summery, oh-so-drinkable cocktails that are the perfect for sipping with friends in the sunshine.

The Hugo Spritz is a lesser known but no-less delicious relative of the Aperol Spritz. And I’m so excited for you to try it!

Psst — before you dive in for the recipe, be sure to sign up below for my VIP group, so I can send more of my very best cocktail ideas straight to ya.

What Is a Spritz Cocktail?

You can trace the spritz cocktail back to 1800’s Italy. Soliders stationed there by the Austro-Hungarian Empire found Italian wine to be quite strong, so they diluted it with a splash of water (hence the term “spritz,” which means splash in German).

This tradition morphed over time, and now a standard spritz is two parts bitter liqueur (like Aperol or Campari) and three parts prosecco.

There’s even a “Spritz Trail” in Italy, throughout which you’ll find that the various regions each have their own special take on the drink.

In the South Tyrol province of Northern Italy, the bitter aperitif is replaced with a homemade elderflower cordial. So for those of us who don’t have the cordial, St-Germain makes a perfect substitute. And the Hugo Spritz was born!

How is a Hugo Spritz Different?

When you include St-Germain or elderflower rather than a bitter liqueur like Aperol or Campari, the spritz has a definite shift in feel and flavor.

While an Aperol Spritz is bright, sunny, and somewhat bitter, the Hugo Spritz feels crisp, light, and floral. The addition of mint and lime brings out the botanical notes in the St-Germain and create a perfect finish.

Your Summer Drink List

Add the Hugo Spritz to our other running tally of incredible summer sips! Here are our most popular. Be sure to pin your favorites so you can find them easily again!

• Spaghett Cocktail Recipe (A beer cocktail!)
• Aperol Spritz Recipe
• Tinto de Verano Recipe (Do as they do in Spain.)
• French 75 Cocktail Recipe
• Salty Dog Cocktail Recipe
• Butterfly Gin Fizz Recipe (This one changes color!)

Ingredients You’ll Need

St-Germain. The most accessible elderflower liqueur you’ll find is St-Germain. By all means, if you have access to elderflower and can brew your own cordial, go for it!

Prosecco. If you find yourself without prosecco, you can substitute sparkling white wine or champagne without too much change to the flavor of the cocktail.

Soda Water. I make mine at home in a Soda Stream, but you can use your favorite seltzer or bubbly water.

Lemon. A fresh lemon wedge makes the drink especially bright and beautiful.

Mint. The mint may be my favorite part of the recipe. It provides a cooling, refreshing note on the Hugo Spritz that’s especially satisfying.

How to Make a Hugo Spritz

1. Add a few mint leaves an 1 oz. St-Germain to a glass. Gently muddle the mint in the liqueur.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add 3 oz. prosecco and one oz. soda water. Gently stir.
4. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a mint sprig. Enjoy!

I hope you find yourself on a sunny patio soon, sipping a Hugo Spritz and enjoying the afternoon! xoxo

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