Hugo Spritz

Updated June 17, 2026

Media 1 of 1
Ready In
5 min
Rating
5(224)
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Light, floral, and ideal for warm weather drinking, the Hugo spritz was created in 2005 by Roland Gruber, a bartender based in the Alpine region of Northern Italy. The original recipe was flavored with lemon balm syrup, but with the popularization of St-Germain, elderflower liqueur became the standard. The drink is traditionally garnished with a slice of lime and a few leafy sprigs of mint; the former echoes the orange wheel in an Aperol spritz, while the latter gives you something to bury your nose in as you sip. Following the classic 3-2-1 spritz formula (in this case, three parts Prosecco, two parts elderflower liqueur, one part soda) yields a balanced drink that’s not overly sweet. But feel free to eyeball it — a summer cocktail should be breezy to make, not dependent on precise measurements.

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink
  • Ice

  • 3 ounces chilled Prosecco

  • 2 ounces elderflower liqueur (such as St-Germain)

  • Soda water, to finish

  • Mint sprigs and lime slices, for garnish

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving

33 grams carbs; 277 calories; 2 grams fiber; 89 milligrams sodium; 1 gram protein; 23 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Fill a large wine glass or spritz glass with ice. Add the Prosecco and elderflower liqueur to the glass. Top up with soda and garnish with a few sprigs of mint and a slice or two of lime.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
224 user ratings
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Comments

Hugos have been everywhere for years. I find any elderflower soda or syrup is a great substitute for the stupidly expensive St. Germain - get the flowers and make your syrup, or grab the lemon/elderflower soda at Trader Joes. And plenty of mint.

Have enjoyed Hugo spritzes for years but you’re leaving out a basic step: first, put torn up mint leaves into the bottom of the glass and muddle them. Adds wonderful mint flavor.

We first had them in northern Italy last summer. They had a base of gin with Elderflower syrup, Prosecco and a splash of soda water. The gin makes them even better!

...St. Germain is much too sweet for my taste...My preferred drink this summer is a Cynar Spritz...The Prosecco sweetens the bitterness of the Cynar just enough...Very refreshing...!!! (ps...I usually garnish with and orange slice and a briny olive!!!)

Variation: BlackBerry Hugo spritz is also delicious. 3 oz Prosecco1 oz Elderflower liqueur (e.g., St-Germain)1 oz Soda water (club soda)4-6 Fresh mint leaves3-4 Fresh blackberries0.5 oz Fresh lime juice (optional, for balance

Slap the mint between your hands, Don’t middle the life out of it.

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