This hugo spritz recipe is everything you want in a summer drink: light, bubbly, floral, and impossibly refreshing. It takes less than 5 minutes to make, uses just a handful of ingredients, and looks absolutely stunning in the glass. Whether you're hosting a backyard dinner party or just treating yourself on a warm Friday evening, this is the cocktail you'll be making on repeat all season long.
Let's get into it.
What Is a Hugo Spritz?
The Hugo Spritz (pronounced "hoo-go") is a sparkling cocktail that originated in the South Tyrol region of Northern Italy — the same area that gave us the now-famous Aperol Spritz. It was created by bartender Roland Gruber around 2005 as a lighter, more floral alternative to the bitter orange spritz.
What makes it different? Instead of Aperol or Campari, the Hugo uses elderflower liqueur (most commonly St-Germain) as its base flavor. Combined with dry prosecco, a splash of soda water, fresh mint, and lime, it creates a drink that's delicate, aromatic, and incredibly easy to sip.
Think of it as the Aperol Spritz's elegant, garden-party cousin.
Why This Elderflower Prosecco Cocktail Is Trending Right Now
There's a reason this elderflower prosecco cocktail has completely taken over summer 2026:
- It's low ABV. The Hugo Spritz is light on alcohol, which makes it perfect for long afternoons, brunches, and daytime gatherings where you want to enjoy a drink without feeling heavy.
- The flavor is approachable. Not everyone loves bitter cocktails. The Hugo is soft, sweet, and floral — it appeals to almost every palate, even people who don't usually drink cocktails.
- It's incredibly photogenic. That golden-green color with sprigs of fresh mint and lime wheels? It practically photographs itself.
- It's dead simple. No cocktail shaker, no special techniques, no bar experience needed. If you can pour, you can make this drink.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's everything you need for the perfect Hugo Spritz. You can find all of these at any well-stocked grocery store or liquor shop.
For 1 cocktail:
- 3 oz (90 ml) Prosecco — Use a dry (brut) prosecco for the best balance. Avoid sweet prosecco or it will be too sugary.
- 1.5 oz (45 ml) Elderflower Liqueur — St-Germain is the classic choice and the most widely available. It has the perfect floral sweetness.
- 1 oz (30 ml) Soda Water — Plain club soda or sparkling water. This adds a light fizz without diluting the flavor.
- 4-5 Fresh Mint Leaves — Plus an extra sprig for garnish.
- 2 Lime Slices — Fresh lime, not bottled juice.
- Ice — Plenty of it. A large wine glass should be about half full of ice.
Quick note on substitutions: If you can't find St-Germain, any elderflower liqueur will work. Some people even use elderflower syrup (non-alcoholic) with a bit of extra prosecco to compensate — this makes a great zero-proof version too.
How to Make a Hugo Spritz at Home
Making this cocktail is as easy as it gets. Here's the step-by-step:
Step 1: Prep the Mint and Lime
Take your 4-5 fresh mint leaves and place them in the bottom of a large wine glass. Add 2 lime slices. Gently press them with a muddler or the back of a spoon — just enough to release the mint oils and lime juice. Don't shred the mint; you want the aroma, not the bitterness from torn leaves.
Pro tip: Alternatively, take the mint sprig and gently "smack" it between your palms a few times. This wakes up the essential oils without breaking the leaves, giving you a cleaner drink with fewer floaty bits.
Step 2: Add Ice
Fill the wine glass about halfway with ice cubes. Use plenty — a well-chilled Hugo Spritz tastes dramatically better than a lukewarm one.
Step 3: Pour the Elderflower Liqueur
Pour 1.5 oz of elderflower liqueur (St-Germain) directly over the ice. You'll immediately smell the gorgeous floral aroma — that's how you know you're on the right track.
Step 4: Top with Prosecco and Soda
Pour in 3 oz of dry prosecco, followed by 1 oz of soda water. The soda water lightens everything up and adds an extra layer of effervescence.
Step 5: Gently Stir and Garnish
Give the drink one or two gentle stirs with a long spoon — just to combine. Don't stir vigorously or you'll lose all the beautiful bubbles.
Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and an extra lime wheel.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz dry prosecco
- 1.5 oz elderflower liqueur (St-Germain)
- 1 oz soda water
- 4-5 fresh mint leaves + 1 sprig for garnish
- 2 lime slices + 1 wheel for garnish
- Ice
Instructions:
- Place mint leaves and lime slices in a large wine glass. Gently muddle.
- Fill glass halfway with ice.
- Pour in elderflower liqueur.
- Top with prosecco and soda water.
- Stir gently once or twice.
- Garnish with mint sprig and lime wheel.
- Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Summer Spritz Recipe
After making dozens of these, here are the tricks that take your Hugo Spritz from good to absolutely perfect:
1. Always use dry prosecco. This is the single most important tip. Elderflower liqueur is already quite sweet, so you need dry (brut) prosecco to balance it out. Sweet prosecco will make the drink taste like liquid candy.
2. Chill everything beforehand. Put your prosecco and soda water in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving. A warm Hugo Spritz loses its sparkle and crispness. If you're in a rush, 20 minutes in the freezer works too — just don't forget about it.
3. Don't skip the fresh mint. Dried mint is not a substitute here. Fresh mint is what gives the Hugo its signature cooling, herbal aroma. It's the soul of the drink.
4. Use a wine glass, not a flute. A large, wide-bowled wine glass gives the aromas room to open up and allows space for all the garnish. Champagne flutes look nice but they don't do this drink justice.
5. Make it by the pitcher. Hosting a party? Simply multiply the recipe by 6-8 and mix everything in a large glass pitcher. Add the mint, lime, and ice directly to the pitcher. Pour in the elderflower liqueur and prosecco, give it a gentle stir, and let your guests serve themselves. It scales beautifully.
Hugo Spritz Variations to Try
Once you've mastered the classic, try these fun twists:
- Strawberry Hugo Spritz — Muddle 2-3 fresh strawberries with the mint and lime. Adds a gorgeous pink color and a hint of berry sweetness.
- Cucumber Hugo Spritz — Replace the lime slices with thin cucumber ribbons. Incredibly refreshing and spa-like.
- Rosé Hugo Spritz — Swap the prosecco for sparkling rosé. Gives the drink a beautiful blush tone and a slightly fruitier flavor.
- Virgin Hugo Spritz (Mocktail) — Replace the prosecco with non-alcoholic sparkling wine and use elderflower syrup instead of liqueur. All the flavor, zero alcohol. Perfect for anyone going zero-proof this summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Hugo Spritz taste like? It tastes light, floral, and refreshing — like sipping a garden in a glass. The elderflower gives it a delicate honey-blossom sweetness, the mint adds a cool herbal note, and the lime brings just enough citrus zing to keep it balanced. It's much softer and sweeter than an Aperol Spritz.
Is a Hugo Spritz strong? No. It's one of the lighter cocktails you can make. With the prosecco and elderflower liqueur diluted by soda water and ice, the ABV (alcohol by volume) comes in around 8-10% — similar to a glass of wine. This makes it perfect for day drinking and long summer gatherings.
What is the best elderflower liqueur for a Hugo Spritz? St-Germain is the gold standard — it's widely available, consistently delicious, and has the perfect level of floral sweetness. Other good options include Bottega Elderflower Liqueur or Belvoir Elderflower Cordial (for a non-alcoholic version).
Can I make Hugo Spritz ahead of time? You can prep the elderflower + mint + lime in the glasses up to 30 minutes ahead. But add the prosecco and soda water only right before serving — otherwise you'll lose all the fizz.
What food pairs well with a Hugo Spritz? Light appetizers work beautifully: bruschetta, shrimp cocktail, charcuterie boards, caprese salad, or grilled vegetables. Avoid heavy, spicy foods — they'll overpower the delicate floral flavors.
Final Thoughts
The Hugo Spritz isn't just another trendy cocktail — it's genuinely one of the easiest, most refreshing drinks you can make at home. Five ingredients, three minutes, and zero bartending skills required.
Whether you're making one for yourself on a warm evening or mixing a pitcher for your next summer party, this hugo spritz recipe never disappoints. It's light, it's beautiful, and it tastes like summer in a glass.
Give it a try this weekend — I promise, once you make your first one, you'll be hooked.