A hugo spritz recipe is one of the easiest ways to serve a bright, floral aperitif without complicated bar equipment. Made with elderflower, Prosecco or another dry sparkling wine, soda water, fresh mint, and lime, it is lighter and more aromatic than many spirit-forward cocktails. The result is cool, gently sweet, bubbly, and ideal for a summer lunch, garden gathering, or relaxed evening at home.
The drink is usually served over plenty of ice in a large wine glass so the mint and citrus can release their aroma as you sip. It is also flexible: you can use elderflower liqueur for a more pronounced cocktail or elderflower cordial for a softer, lower-alcohol version. If you enjoy fresh, sparkling aperitifs, this is a simple recipe worth keeping in your rotation.
Hugo Spritz Recipe Ingredients
This recipe makes one generous drink. Chill the sparkling wine and soda before you begin; cold ingredients help the ice last longer and keep the spritz lively.
- 90 ml Prosecco or another dry sparkling wine
- 30 ml elderflower liqueur, such as an elderflower cordial-style liqueur
- 30 to 60 ml chilled soda water, adjusted to taste
- 6 to 8 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
- 2 or 3 thin lime slices, plus an optional wedge
- Ice, preferably large cubes
For a sweeter drink, add a little more elderflower liqueur or use elderflower cordial. For a crisper version, reduce the elderflower and add extra soda. A dry sparkling wine works particularly well because it balances the floral sweetness instead of making the drink taste heavy.
How to Make a Hugo Spritz
1. Prepare the mint and lime
Add the mint leaves and lime slices to a large wine glass. Gently press the mint once or twice with a bar spoon or the back of a clean spoon. Do not crush it aggressively, as over-muddling can make the leaves taste bitter or grassy. The aim is simply to release their fresh aroma.
2. Add ice and elderflower
Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour in the elderflower liqueur, then give it one gentle stir with the mint and lime. Using plenty of ice keeps the drink cold without requiring a long period of chilling.
3. Add the sparkling ingredients
Pour in the Prosecco slowly, followed by the soda water. Add the sparkling ingredients after the ice and liqueur to help preserve the bubbles. Stir very gently from the bottom once or twice—more of a lift than a vigorous mix.
4. Garnish and serve immediately
Finish with a mint sprig and a lime wedge or slice. Serve straight away while the bubbles are fresh. A large wine glass is traditional and practical because it gives the mint, lime, and elderflower room to open up aromatically.
What Makes This Spritz Taste So Refreshing?
The balance comes from four simple elements. Elderflower provides a fragrant, lightly sweet character; sparkling wine adds dryness and acidity; soda water lengthens the drink; and mint and lime supply a cool, citrusy lift. None of the individual ingredients needs to dominate.
If your drink tastes too sweet, use a drier sparkling wine, add more soda, or squeeze in a small amount of lime. If it tastes too sharp, add a little more elderflower. If it seems flat, check that your Prosecco and soda were well chilled and freshly opened. Flat bubbles can make even a well-balanced spritz feel dull.
Easy Hugo Spritz Variations
Lower-alcohol elderflower spritz
Replace the elderflower liqueur with elderflower cordial and use a little extra soda. This creates a lighter drink with the same floral and minty profile. Because cordial varies in sweetness, begin with a small amount and adjust after tasting.
More citrus-forward version
Add a little extra lime juice and use a lemon or lime peel as part of the garnish. Keep the amount modest so the citrus supports the elderflower rather than overpowering it. Grapefruit peel can also add a pleasantly bitter, aromatic edge.
Berry and herb variation
Add a few raspberries or thin cucumber ribbons to the glass before adding the ice. Basil can replace some or all of the mint, although its flavour is stronger, so start with only a small leaf or two. These additions are best used as accents rather than blended into the drink.
Non-alcoholic sparkling version
Use alcohol-free sparkling wine or sparkling grape juice with elderflower cordial and soda. Add plenty of lime and mint to keep the drink bright. Taste before adding extra cordial, since some sparkling juices are already quite sweet.
Serving Tips for a Better Hugo Spritz
- Use fresh mint: Choose bright, unwilted leaves and gently clap or press them before adding them to the glass.
- Chill everything first: Cold Prosecco, soda, and liqueur reduce dilution and help the drink stay crisp.
- Do not over-stir: A light lift is enough to combine the ingredients while preserving carbonation.
- Use large ice: Bigger cubes melt more slowly than small, cracked ice.
- Serve soon after mixing: Spritzes are at their best when freshly poured.
The Hugo is often described as an Italian-style aperitif, and it belongs to the same broad family of light, sparkling pre-meal drinks as other spritzes. You can learn more about the drink’s general background through this Hugo cocktail overview. For another detailed take on the drink, see our Hugo Spritz cocktail recipe.
What to Serve with a Hugo Spritz
Its floral sweetness and citrus freshness pair well with salty, savoury snacks. Try olives, roasted nuts, potato crisps, bruschetta, soft cheese, or a simple plate of cured meats. It also works nicely with lighter dishes such as grilled vegetables, fresh salads, seafood, and sandwiches.
For a broader drinks spread, balance the menu with a darker, cola-based option such as this Rum Cuba Libre cocktail, or offer a classic highball like this Gin and Tonic with Aviation Gin. Keeping portions moderate and offering water alongside alcoholic drinks makes the gathering more comfortable for everyone.
Common Questions About This Hugo Spritz Recipe
Can I make it without Prosecco?
Yes. Use another dry sparkling wine, such as cava or a suitable local sparkling wine. The flavour will vary slightly, but the basic combination of bubbles, elderflower, mint, lime, and soda will still work.
Can I prepare a Hugo Spritz in advance?
Prepare the glasses with mint, lime, elderflower, and ice shortly before serving, but wait to add the sparkling wine and soda. Adding them too early allows the carbonation to fade and the ice to dilute the drink.
Why is my drink too sweet?
The most common causes are a sweet sparkling wine, too much elderflower, or sweet cordial. Add more soda, a small squeeze of lime, or a drier sparkling wine next time. Adjust gradually so the drink remains balanced.
Once you have the basic proportions in place, this hugo spritz recipe is easy to adapt to your taste. Keep the ingredients cold, handle the mint gently, and add the bubbles at the end for a fragrant, refreshing drink with very little effort.
