Hugo Spritz Recipe
This Hugo Spritz Recipe produces a bright, refreshing cocktail that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy, especially during the warmer months. It’s crisp, lightly floral, and has just the right amount of bubbles to make any day feel a bit more special. I love how it can be enjoyed any time of year, but it’s especially nice when you want a drink that’s light and not too sweet.
This drink starts with elderflower liqueur, which brings a delicate floral sweetness to the mix. A handful of fresh mint adds a nice herbal note, and a few thin lime slices give it a bit of citrusy brightness. Top it all off with chilled Prosecco and a splash of club soda, and you’ve got a drink that’s refreshing and easy to sip.
One of the best things about a Hugo Spritz is how easy it is to customize. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more elderflower liqueur. Want to make it a little more fun? Toss in some berries or swap out the lime for lemon. Whether making a glass for yourself or serving up a batch for friends, this is a great drink that’s always a hit.
The printable recipe also includes instructions for making a large batch of Hugo Spritzes!
Table of Contents
What Ingredients are in this Hugo Spritz Recipe?
The Hugo Spritz recipe was created in the Northern Italian province by a bartender named Roland Gruber. He had the idea to add aroma to Prosecco using mint and a cordial called Melissa. Since Melissa is rare and produced only in small quantities, a substitute was needed, and Elderflower liquor filled the void. The drink has since continued to morph with a few tweaks, such as adding lemon, lime, and sparkling water.
Elderflower Liqueur – Elderflower liqueur is made from the small, delicate elderflower blossoms that bloom in late spring. These flowers have a soft, sweet flavor with hints of pear, lychee, and honey, and they’re prized for their light, floral fragrance. Once picked, the blossoms are steeped in a neutral alcohol base along with citrus and sweeteners to enhance their bright, fresh flavor.
One of the most well-known elderflower liqueurs is St Germain. It’s known for its aromatic bouquet, with subtle citrus notes and a sweetness that pairs perfectly with sparkling drinks like the Hugo Spritz. There are other elderflower liqueurs out there, and while they’re all good in their own way, they do vary in sweetness and intensity. If you’re using a different brand, you might want to adjust how much you use to suit your taste.
When it comes to storing elderflower liqueur, it’s best to keep it in the fridge and use it within about six months to keep that lovely floral flavor at its best. Just don’t freeze it, as that can dull its delicate notes.
Mint Leaves: Fresh mint is key to the herbal aroma that makes the drink bright and refreshing. Depending on how minty you like it, you can use anywhere from 6 to 8 leaves. Don’t over-muddle—just enough to release the oils.
Lime Slices: Thin slices of lime add a citrusy brightness that balances the sweet elderflower. You can also use lemon or a mix of both if you prefer a slightly different citrus note.
Prosecco: A dry Prosecco (labeled “Brut”) works best here because it balances the liqueur’s sweetness and keeps the drink light and crisp. Avoid sweeter Proseccos, or the drink might be too syrupy.
Club Soda or Sparkling Water: A splash of club soda adds a little extra fizz and cuts through the sweetness, keeping the drink light and refreshing. A citrus-flavored sparkling water would be a fun swap if you like a bit more flavor.
Ice Cubes (Optional): Adding a few ice cubes makes it even more refreshing on a hot day. If you want to go the extra mile, freeze some mint or citrus slices into the ice for a fun garnish that won’t water down the flavor.
Tips for Success
- Chill everything ahead of time. Cold ingredients keep the drink crisp and refreshing. Chilling the glass ahead of time can make a big difference. Just pop it in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before making your Hugo Spritz, and you’ll have a drink that stays nice and crisp for even longer.
- Adjust your Mint. Mint can vary in size, from small leaves to quite large ones. That’s why the amount of mint is not specific; it can be adjusted to taste.
- Muddle the mint gently. Over-muddling can make it bitter; you’re just releasing those bright aromatics.
- Pour Prosecco slowly. This keeps the bubbles lively and stops them from going flat.
- Adjust to taste. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more elderflower liqueur; if you prefer it lighter, back off the liqueur or add more soda water.
- Serve right away. This drink is best enjoyed immediately while it’s still fizzy and cold.
- Know Your Elderflower Liqueur. St. Germain is the most commonly used with a Hugo Spritz. The type of Elderflower liqueur you use can change the drink’s taste quite a bit. Other Elderflower liqueurs may have a more syrupy sweetness or a more robust flavor. I’ve also used St. Elder, but it’s a lot sweeter, so I reduced it to 1 or 1.5 ounces for this recipe.
What Can You Use If You Don’t Have a Muddler?
What is a Muddler?
A muddler is a bartending tool that looks a bit like a small pestle or a mini rolling pin. It’s usually made from wood or stainless steel with a flat or slightly rounded bottom.
You gently press (or “muddle”) ingredients like mint, herbs, or citrus in the bottom of your glass or shaker. This releases the natural oils and juices, adding fresh flavor and aroma to your drink. The key is to be gentle so you don’t tear up the mint (or herbs and citrus) too much and make it bitter.
In this Hugo Spritz recipe, you use the muddler to press the mint with the elderflower liqueur lightly. It’s a handy little tool if you like to make cocktails with fresh ingredients!
What Can Be Used Instead of a Muddler?
If you don’t have a muddler, don’t worry! Here are a few handy substitutes:
- Wooden spoon: The handle end works great for gently pressing the mint and lime to release their flavors.
- Flat-bottomed utensil: The end of a wooden spoon or a spatula can work just as well.
- Small rolling pin: If you have a mini rolling pin or even a small meat tenderizer, use the flat side to muddle.
- Mortar and pestle: If you have one, this works perfectly for small-batch muddling.
- Your fingers: In a pinch, gently press the mint and lime with your fingertips to coax out the oils.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Hugo Spritz Recipe
Yes! Replace the elderflower liqueur with elderflower syrup or cordial, and use a non-alcoholic sparkling wine or tonic water instead of Prosecco.
A wine glass or stemmed glass is the best choice for serving a Hugo Spritz because of its wide, rounded bowl and slightly flared top. This shape lets the delicate floral and herbal aromas from the elderflower liqueur and mint really shine through.
You can prep the muddled mint, elderflower liqueur, and lime slices ahead of time. Just don’t add the Prosecco or club soda until serving to keep the bubbles fresh.
Hugo Spritz
Equipment
- Wine Glass
- Paring Knife
- Bar Spoon
- Jigger - or measuring cup
- Muddler
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Elderflower Liqueur such as St Germain
- 6-8 mint leaves plus more for garnish
- 1 lime 3-4 thin slices, plus more for garnish
- 4 ounces Prosecco
- 1 ounce club Soda or Sparkling water
- ice cubes optional
Instructions
- In a wine glass, add mint leaves, 2 ounces of Elderflower Liqueur, and muddle. Muddling the mint leaves releases the natural oils which will enhance the aroma and flavor, this part is key to making the drink.
- Add 3 slices of lime and stir.
- *Optional, you can allow the flavors to sit for a few minutes to steep before next steps.
- Gently pour 4 ounces of chilled prosecco into the glass (pouring slowly will help to keep it bubbly) and top with a splash (1 ounce) of soda water. Gently stir to combine.
- Add some ice cubes if using and garnish with a lime slice and mint sprigs.
- Serve immediately and Enjoy!
Notes
Batch Preparation
- You can make a pitcher ahead of time by adding the elderflower liqueur (12 oz) and mint (one bunch or handful) and then muddling them together.
- Add lime slices (2-3 limes, sliced), stir, and chill until ready for use.
- Just before serving, pour in the chilled Prosecco (1 bottle).
- Prep each glass with mint springs and lime slices.
- Pour the prosecco mix into each glass and top with a splash (1 ounce) of freshly opened and chilled soda water/club soda. You can also add ice to each glass if using.
Nutrition
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