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Hugo Spritz (Italian Elderflower and Prosecco Cocktail)

A Hugo spritz is a clear and refreshing elderflower flavored cocktail. It’s a popular, before-dinner summer drink in Europe. Keep the main ingredients on hand so you can mix one whenever you want! 

hugo spritz with charcuterie and cheese

I was introduced to my first Hugo spritz by my friend, Katie, who used to write (beautifully, I might add) on her site, Domestiphobia.

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Hugo in Parma
a Hugo spritz in Parma, Italy – June, 2022

I think she’s now simply too busy immersing herself in her charming Italian life in Ferrara to have time to write about it! Lucky her!

Hugo cocktail visiting Ferrara, Castello Estense
Hugo cocktail visiting Ferrara, Castello Estense

I had never heard of this elderflower and Prosecco cocktail before, and was enthralled with its discovery! One of my favorite cocktails is a lemon drop martini, but now I’m having Hugos a lot, too! It’s much less potent and lighter than a martini, so just perfect for summer.

overhead prosecco elderflower drinks

How do you Pronounce Hugo Spritz?

If you are in Italy and want to order a Hugo cocktail, you should ask for an “oo-goh spreetz”. The h isn’t pronounced in Italian, and an i is pronounced ee.

two hugo cocktails

They’re not just wonderful in Italy, though! This is me enjoying one in my courtyard in Los Angeles.

hugo cocktail in the courtyard

Two other classic Italian cocktails: the Aperol spritz and limoncello spritz.

two cocktails

 What is a Hugo Spritz?

So if you’ve never had or heard of this delightful cocktail, a Hugo spritz is essentially a refreshing elderflower  and Prosecco based beverage. It’s usually enjoyed as a before-dinner drink along with some nibbles, called an aperitivo which was invented in Turin. There’s a little story as to why a French liqueur is used in an Italian cocktail, but originally, it was made with another flavored liqueur. So, you’ll need St. Germain elderflower liqueur to make this cocktail. As you can see, my bottle is running low!

st germain liqueur

As an aside, my wonderful friend, Jill, from Mad About Macarons lives just outside Paris, near St. Germain in France! She shares lovely recipes, and travel posts, mainly about Paris. 

Aperol spritz is probably the most famous Italian spritz of all.

San gimignano with aperol spritz

What is a Hugo Spritz Made of?

As noted above, it’s a combination of St Germain liqueur, Prosecco and a splash of soda, as in, sparkling water, like San Pellegrino, for a classic spritz recipe. The ratios aren’t critical so you can make it according to the measurements the first time, then adjust to your liking. Add more or less elderflower liqueur, or more Prosecco, for example.

If you like elderflower, give this elderflower cider a try! My daughter and I discovered one like this in Scotland!

Elderflower cider 

When you want a cool and refreshing drink, try a Hugo spritz for a change! I think you’ll be very pleased! Enjoy it with these charcuterie cups for an elegant European-style evening!

Hugo cocktail with lime and mint

Hugo Cocktail Recipe (Hugo Spritz)

Classic spritz recipe                            makes 2 cocktails

FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Note: for a less strong cocktail, use elderflower cordial in place of the St Germain liqueur.

Ingredients for a Hugo Spritz

Let’s start with the ice. I just LOVE clear ice, don’t you? It’s so much prettier than white cubes from the freezer that rather ruin the look of a drink. So I purchased a clear ice maker that creates these beautiful spheres of clear ice, and I haven’t looked back! You can find these clear ice makers on Amazon.

clear ball of ice

Start by adding the mint sprig in the glasses then add the St Germain liqueur. Muddle the mint of you like a stronger flavor.

pouring st germain into a glass

Next add the ice and the sparkling water.

adding soda to glass

Then add the Prosecco.

adding Prosecco to drink

Finish by garnishing with a slice of lime and more mint, if desired, and serve with a lovely aperitivo spread. Feel free to use lemon if you don’t have (or like) lime.

close up of Hugo cocktail with aperitivo

Cin cin e buon appetito, I hope you enjoy your Hugo cocktail!

two Hugo cocktails with aperitivo and black background

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hugo spritz

Hugo Cocktail (Italian Elderflower and Prosecco Spritz)

Servings: 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
A hugo cocktail is a clear, refreshing chilled elderflower flavored cocktail. It's a popular, before-dinner summer drink in Europe.
5 from 17 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ice
  • 4 sprigs mint
  • 2 oz St Germain liqueur
  • 1 oz sparkling water
  • 4 oz Prosecco preferably DOC or DOCG

Instructions

  • Start by adding the mint sprig in the glasses then add the St. Germain liqueur. Muddle the mint of you like a stronger flavor.
  • Next add the ice and the sparkling water.
  • Then add the Prosecco.
  • Finish by garnishing with a slice of lime and more mint, if desired, and serve with a lovely aperitivo spread.

Notes

  • You can easily eyeball this cocktail once you've made it a few times. Just add the amount of liqueur you like, a splash of sparkling water, the ice, then fill as desired with Prosecco and garnish! SO easy!
  • For a virgin cocktail, use elderflower cordial in place of the St Germain liqueur and sparkling water for the Prosecco
  • Feel free to use lemon if you don't have (or like) lime.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.02g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.1mg

 

Hugo spritz in Los Angeles

 

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5 from 17 votes (17 ratings without comment)

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62 Comments

  1. My guy and I regularly have brunch Prosecco drinks and frankly we’re getting a bit bored. The elderflower spin sounds like the prescription!

  2. I would make the Hugo Spritz. It sounds very interesting & refreshing & the clear ice makes it so pretty! Cin Cin 🥂