This light, bubbly hugo spritz recipe is the ultimate warm-weather cocktail. With fragrant elderflower, fresh mint, lime, and plenty of ice-cold prosecco, it tastes like summer in a glass. It’s quick to make, easy to batch for parties, and feels fancy without any fuss. Serve it with light dishes like this fresh summer salad for an effortless backyard happy hour or a relaxed brunch with friends. Whether you’re new to spritz cocktails or already love an Aperol spritz, this hugo spritz will become your new go-to. Let’s break down everything you need: ingredients, step-by-step instructions, expert tips, and fun twists so you can customize it just the way you like.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This hugo spritz recipe is simple, refreshing, and incredibly forgiving, which makes it perfect for entertaining. You only need a handful of ingredients, and there’s no shaking or fancy bar gear required, just a wine glass, ice, and a spoon. The flavor is balanced: lightly sweet from elderflower liqueur, crisp from prosecco, and bright from lime and mint. It looks gorgeous, too, with fresh mint leaves and lime slices floating in the glass. You can easily scale it up for a pitcher, adjust the sweetness to your taste, and even make a low-alcohol or mocktail version for guests who aren’t drinking. It pairs beautifully with light appetizers, seafood, and fresh salads, so it fits right into any summer menu.
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Hugo Spritz Mocktail
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Hugo spritz mocktail is light, bubbly, floral, and refreshing. Made with elderflower syrup, sparkling water, fresh mint, lime, and plenty of ice, it is an easy alcohol-free summer drink for brunch, parties, baby showers, and warm-weather gatherings.
nutrition:
servingSize: “1 glass”,
calories: “80”,
sugar: “18 g”,
sodium: “10 mg”,
fat: “0 g”,
saturatedFat: “0 g”,
unsaturatedFat: “0 g”,
transFat: “0 g”,
carbohydrates: “20 g”,
fiber: “0 g”,
protein: “0 g”,
cholesterol: “0 mg”
Ingredients
1 oz elderflower syrup
3 oz alcohol-free sparkling wine or extra sparkling water, chilled
2 oz sparkling water or club soda, chilled
6–8 fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
2–3 thin lime slices or 1 lime wheel
Ice cubes, enough to fill a large glass
Optional: 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice, for extra brightness
Optional: 1–2 teaspoons simple syrup, only if you like it sweeter
Instructions
Chill the sparkling water, alcohol-free sparkling wine if using, and serving glass before making the drink.
Gently rinse the mint leaves and pat them dry.
Lightly clap the mint leaves between your hands once or twice to release their aroma without tearing them.
Fill a large stemmed glass with ice.
Add the mint leaves and lime slices around the ice so they are visible from the outside.
Pour the elderflower syrup over the ice, mint, and lime.
Add fresh lime juice if you prefer a brighter, tarter drink.
Slowly pour in the alcohol-free sparkling wine if using.
Top with sparkling water or club soda.
Stir very gently from the bottom up once or twice to combine without losing too many bubbles.
Taste and adjust with more sparkling water, lime juice, or a little simple syrup if desired.
Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a lime wheel.
Serve immediately while cold and bubbly.
Notes
Use chilled ingredients so the drink stays crisp and bubbly longer.
Do not aggressively muddle the mint. Lightly clapping or bruising the leaves is enough to release aroma without bitterness.
For a lighter version, use only sparkling water instead of alcohol-free sparkling wine.
For a fruitier twist, add sliced strawberries, raspberries, or cucumber.
For batching, mix elderflower syrup, lime slices, and a little still water ahead of time. Add ice, mint, and bubbles just before serving.
Serve immediately. This drink is not ideal for storing because the ice melts and the bubbles fade quickly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Ingredients for Hugo Spritz Recipe
Here’s everything you need to make an authentic Italian-style hugo spritz recipe at home. Use chilled ingredients and lots of ice so your drink stays crisp and refreshing from the first sip to the last.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Prosecco, chilled | 3 oz (90 ml) |
| Sparkling water or club soda, chilled | 2 oz (60 ml) |
| Elderflower liqueur (such as St-Germain) | 1 – 1.5 oz (30–45 ml), to taste |
| Fresh mint leaves | 6–8 leaves, plus extra for garnish |
| Fresh lime | 2–3 thin slices or 1 lime wheel |
| Ice cubes | Enough to fill a large wine glass |
| Optional: lime juice | Up to 1 tsp, for extra tartness |
| Optional: simple syrup | 1–2 tsp, only if you like it sweeter |
How to Make Hugo Spritz Recipe Step by Step
This cocktail comes together in minutes, but a few small technique details make a big difference. Follow these steps for a perfectly chilled, balanced hugo spritz every time.
- Step 1: Chill everything first. Pop your prosecco and sparkling water into the fridge at least a few hours before serving. If you have time, chill your wine glasses in the freezer for 10–15 minutes, too. A cold glass keeps your hugo spritz fresh and bubbly longer, and you won’t have to rely on as much ice, which can dilute the drink over time.
- Step 2: Prep the mint and lime. Gently rinse the mint leaves and pat them dry. Lightly clap the leaves between your hands once or twice to release their aroma without tearing them apart. Slice a lime into thin rounds or half-moons. Avoid muddling the mint aggressively, which can make your drink taste bitter. You just want to bruise the leaves enough to release their oils.
- Step 3: Build the base in the glass. Fill a large stemmed wine glass with ice, all the way to the top. Add the mint leaves and tuck in the lime slices around the ice so they’re visible from the outside. Pour in the elderflower liqueur first so it settles around the mint and lime. If you prefer a tarter drink, add a small squeeze of lime juice now.
- Step 4: Add prosecco and sparkling water. Slowly pour in the prosecco, then top with sparkling water or club soda. Pouring gently helps preserve the bubbles. Give the drink a very gentle stir from the bottom up, just one or two turns with a spoonto mix the flavors without knocking out the carbonation. Taste and adjust with a splash more elderflower or sparkling water if needed.
- Step 5: Garnish and serve immediately. Top with a fresh mint sprig and an extra lime wheel on the rim for a pretty finish. Serve the hugo spritz right away while it’s ice-cold and bubbly. Pair it with light bites like vegetarian spring rolls or a bright seafood salad for a refreshing, summery spread.
Expert Tips
Common Mistakes
One of the biggest mistakes with a hugo spritz recipe is making it too sweet. Elderflower liqueur is naturally sugary, so start with the smaller amount and add more only after tasting. Another issue is using warm prosecco or sparkling water; if they’re not thoroughly chilled, the drink quickly turns flat and watery as the ice melts. Avoid crushing or muddling the mint into tiny pieces, which can release bitter flavors and leave little bits stuck in your teeth. Overfilling the glass with liqueur or prosecco also upsets the balance this cocktail should be light and easy to sip, not heavy.
Finally, don’t build it too far in advance; letting it sit means the ice melts, the bubbles fade, and the flavors dull before it ever reaches the table.
Variations
Once you master the classic hugo spritz recipe, it’s fun to experiment. For a lower-alcohol version, simply use less prosecco and more sparkling water. You can also turn it into a mocktail by swapping the elderflower liqueur for elderflower syrup and using non-alcoholic sparkling wine. Want a fruitier twist? Add a few sliced strawberries or muddled raspberries before the ice for gentle color and flavor. Swap lime for lemon if that’s what you have on hand, or mix both for extra brightness.
For a herb-forward version, add a small sprig of thyme or basil with the mint. If you’re serving it with richer dishes like creamy chicken Alfredo or classic lasagna, a slightly drier prosecco and a bit more lime juice help cut through the richness.
Storage Tips
| Storage | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-mixed base (elderflower + still water + lime slices, no bubbles) | Up to 24 hours in the fridge | Keep in a sealed jar; add prosecco, sparkling water, ice, and mint just before serving. |
| Opened bottle of prosecco | 1–2 days in the fridge | Use a sparkling wine stopper to preserve bubbles; best for topping up spritzes the next day. |
| Prepared hugo spritz | Serve immediately | Not ideal for storage; ice melts and carbonation fades quickly. |
| Mocktail base (elderflower syrup + water + citrus) | 2–3 days in the fridge | Store in an airtight container and dilute with sparkling water when ready to serve. |
FAQ
What is a hugo spritz?
A hugo spritz is a light, refreshing Italian cocktail made with prosecco, elderflower liqueur, sparkling water, fresh mint, and lime. It’s floral, bubbly, and slightly sweet, similar in style to an Aperol spritz but gentler and more aromatic.
Can I make a hugo spritz without alcohol?
Yes. Use elderflower syrup instead of elderflower liqueur, and swap prosecco for non-alcoholic sparkling wine or just extra sparkling water. Keep the mint, lime, and ice the same so you still get that classic flavor and refreshing vibe.
What can I use instead of prosecco?
If you don’t have prosecco, use any dry sparkling white wine such as cava or a dry sparkling rosé. Avoid very sweet sparkling wines or it may become too sugary, especially with the elderflower liqueur.
Is elderflower liqueur the same as elderflower syrup?
No. Elderflower liqueur contains alcohol and is less sweet, while elderflower syrup (or cordial) is non-alcoholic and very sweet. If substituting syrup, use a smaller amount and balance with extra sparkling water and citrus.
Can I batch this hugo spritz recipe for a party?
Absolutely. Multiply the ingredients by the number of servings, and mix the elderflower liqueur, some water, lime slices, and mint in a pitcher. Keep chilled. Just before serving, add plenty of ice, prosecco, and sparkling water so it stays bubbly and bright.
What food pairs well with a hugo spritz?
This drink is perfect with light, fresh dishes like salads, seafood, and veggie-forward appetizers. Try serving it alongside a crisp Italian pasta salad or a vibrant mango slaw for a colorful, summery spread.
Conclusion
This hugo spritz recipe is one of those simple, reliable cocktails you’ll want on repeat all summer long. With just a few ingredients and almost no effort, you get a drink that feels elegant but is totally approachable for any home host. Customize the sweetness, play with citrus or herbs, or turn it into a mocktail so everyone can enjoy a glass. It’s just as happy at a backyard barbecue as it is at a relaxed brunch with a stack of fluffy homemade pancakes. Save this recipe, experiment with the variations, and you’ll always have a refreshing, crowd-pleasing spritz in your back pocket.
For more cocktail recipes inspirations, check out Pinterest.