Hugo Spritz
This refreshing Hugo Spritz combines floral elderflower liqueur, dry sparkling wine, fresh lime, mint, and soda water. It is crisp, lightly sweet, and wonderfully aromatic, making it ideal for warm afternoons, brunches, and relaxed gatherings.
Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)
Quick Ingredients
- 6 fresh mint leaves, plus 1 mint sprig for garnish
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce elderflower liqueur
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 4 ounces chilled dry Prosecco or other sparkling wine
- 1 ounce chilled soda water
- 1 thin lime wheel for garnish
Do This
- 1. Chill a large wine glass and all liquid ingredients to 38–40°F.
- 2. Gently clap the mint leaves between your palms to release their aroma.
- 3. Add the mint, lime juice, and elderflower liqueur to the glass.
- 4. Fill the glass with 1 cup of ice cubes.
- 5. Slowly pour in 4 ounces of sparkling wine.
- 6. Top with 1 ounce of soda water and stir once or twice.
- 7. Garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig, then serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Light and refreshing: Crisp bubbles and soda water keep the cocktail lively rather than heavy.
- Beautifully aromatic: Elderflower and fresh mint give every sip a fragrant, garden-fresh quality.
- Quick to make: The drink is built directly in the serving glass in just 5 minutes.
- Easy to customize: Adjust the sweetness, citrus, or alcohol level to suit your taste.
Grocery List
- Produce: 1 fresh lime and 1 small bunch fresh mint
- Dairy: None required
- Pantry: Elderflower liqueur, dry Prosecco or other sparkling wine, soda water, and ice cubes
Full Ingredients
For the Hugo Spritz
- 6 fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounce elderflower liqueur, such as St-Germain
- 1 cup medium ice cubes
- 4 ounces dry Prosecco or other dry sparkling wine, chilled to 38–40°F
- 1 ounce soda water, chilled to 38–40°F
For Garnishing
- 1 thin lime wheel
- 1 fresh mint sprig
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Chill the ingredients and glass
For the crispest spritz, make sure the elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine, and soda water are chilled to 38–40°F before you begin. Fill a large stemmed wine glass with ice water and let it stand for 2 minutes, then discard the water and dry the glass. A cold glass slows melting and helps preserve the bubbles.
Step 2: Release the mint aroma
Place the 6 mint leaves in one palm and gently clap your other hand over them once. This light pressure releases the mint’s fragrant oils without bruising the leaves. Avoid crushing or vigorously muddling the mint, which can introduce bitter, grassy flavors.
Step 3: Build the floral citrus base
Place the awakened mint leaves in the chilled wine glass. Add 1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice and 1 ounce of elderflower liqueur. Gently swirl the glass for about 5 seconds to combine the sweet, floral liqueur with the tart lime.
Step 4: Add the ice
Fill the glass with 1 cup of ice cubes, or enough ice to reach close to the rim. Using plenty of solid ice keeps the Hugo Spritz colder and reduces rapid dilution. Avoid small or partially melted ice cubes when possible.
Step 5: Pour in the sparkling wine
Tilt the glass slightly and slowly pour in 4 ounces of chilled dry Prosecco. Pouring gently down the inside of the glass helps retain the wine’s crisp carbonation and prevents the foam from overflowing.
Step 6: Finish with soda water
Top the cocktail with 1 ounce of chilled soda water. Insert a long cocktail spoon along the inside of the glass and lift the ingredients from the bottom with one or two slow turns. Do not stir vigorously, or the drink will lose its bubbles.
Step 7: Garnish and serve
Slide 1 thin lime wheel against the inside of the glass and tuck in 1 fresh mint sprig. For extra aroma, gently clap the garnish sprig before adding it. Serve the Hugo Spritz immediately while it is cold and highly carbonated.
Pro Tips
- Choose a dry sparkling wine: Look for Prosecco labeled brut to balance the sweetness of the elderflower liqueur.
- Use fresh lime juice: Bottled lime juice lacks the bright fragrance that gives this simple cocktail its crisp finish.
- Handle mint gently: Clapping the leaves releases their aroma without extracting bitter flavors from the stems and bruised leaves.
- Keep everything cold: Ingredients chilled to 38–40°F preserve carbonation and prevent the ice from melting too quickly.
- Pour slowly: Add the sparkling wine and soda water gently so the cocktail retains as many bubbles as possible.
Variations
- Cucumber Hugo Spritz: Add 3 very thin cucumber ribbons to the glass with the mint for a cool, botanical variation.
- Berry Hugo Spritz: Add 3 halved raspberries or 2 sliced strawberries before the ice for a softly fruity flavor and rosy color.
- Lower-Alcohol Hugo Spritz: Use 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur, 3 ounces nonalcoholic sparkling wine, and 2 ounces soda water. Build and garnish the drink in the same way.
Storage & Make-Ahead
A Hugo Spritz is best prepared immediately before serving and should not be stored after assembly because the sparkling wine and soda water quickly lose their carbonation. Up to 24 hours ahead, chill the liqueur, sparkling wine, soda water, and glasses. Lime juice may be squeezed, covered, and refrigerated for up to 6 hours. Wrap the mint loosely in a barely damp paper towel and refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 1 day. If you have leftover sparkling wine, seal the bottle with a sparkling-wine stopper, refrigerate it at 38–40°F, and use it within 24 hours.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 185 kcal | Carbs: 17g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 15g | Sodium: 6mg | Cholesterol: 0mg
