Fresh, simple, and endlessly drinkable—those are the first words that come to mind when I think of a Hugo Spritz. This light, floral spritz is wonderfully refreshing on a hot afternoon: bright lemon, aromatic mint, and the delicate elderflower notes from St. Germain paired with sparkling wine and bubbly water make it an easy favorite.
The Hugo Spritz is commonly credited to bartender Roland Gruber, who created it around 2005 in Naturno, a town on the Italian-Austrian border. From there it spread quickly to neighboring regions of Austria and Germany and has since become a popular summer cocktail around the world. Its appeal lies in its simplicity and balance—lightly sweet, gently floral, and effervescent.
Ingredients
The standout ingredient in a Hugo Spritz is St. Germain elderflower liqueur. Its floral, slightly sweet character defines the drink and harmonizes beautifully with sparkling wine. For the sparkling element, a sweeter Prosecco works well to lift and complement the elderflower without becoming overly dry.
In places where sparkling mineral water is a staple, I use Topo Chico for the fizzy finishing touch. The neutral minerality of a soda water like Topo Chico keeps the spritz light and refreshing while adding effervescence. Fresh mint and a lemon wheel complete the drink, adding aroma and a citrus lift.
What you need:
- Fresh mint
- St. Germain elderflower liqueur
- Topo Chico or another sparkling water
- Prosecco (preferably on the sweeter side)
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Adjust quantities to taste; a lighter hand with St. Germain keeps the drink delicate, while a touch more gives a sweeter, richer sip.
Method
One small technique makes a big difference: gently “slapping” the mint. This releases the essential oils without bruising the leaves, lending a bright, aromatic mint note to the drink rather than an overpowering grassy flavor.
To assemble the cocktail: remove the leaves from one sprig of mint and slap them between your palms a couple of times to wake up the aroma. Drop the leaves into the bottom of a large wine glass or iced tea glass, pour in the St. Germain, and give it a short stir. Let this sit for 2–3 minutes so the liqueur can pick up the mint aroma and infuse slightly.
Next, pack the glass with ice and pour in chilled Prosecco followed by chilled Topo Chico to taste. Stir gently to combine, then garnish with a lemon wheel and a few whole mint sprigs. For a cleaner-looking garnish, strip the lower leaves from the sprig so only a neat bouquet remains at the top.
Tips:
- Use chilled Prosecco and chilled sparkling water to keep dilution minimal and bubbles lively.
- If your mint looks limp, give it a quick ice water shock before using to crisp the leaves.
- Adjust the St. Germain quantity depending on how floral or sweet you prefer the spritz.
More Great Cocktail Recipes
If you enjoy the Hugo Spritz, you might also like other classic and seasonal cocktails. Try a Bourbon Brown Sugar Old Fashioned for cool evenings, Hot Buttered Rum for cozy winter nights, or a Classic Irish Coffee for a warming pick-me-up. For warmer weather, consider a Dirty Shirley, Peach Sangria, or a Sparkling Pear and Elderflower Lemonade—each brings a different fruit-forward, refreshing profile to sip on summer afternoons.
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📖 Recipe
Hugo Spritz
Yield: 1 Cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes • Total Time: 5 minutes
A light, floral spritz made with St. Germain elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, sparkling water, fresh mint, and lemon. Perfect for warm afternoons and easy to scale for a small gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 sprig fresh mint (remove and slap leaves)
- ½ ounce St. Germain elderflower liqueur
- 1 ounce Topo Chico or chilled sparkling water
- 4 ounces Prosecco, chilled
- Lemon wheel, for garnish
- Additional mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Remove the leaves from 1 sprig of mint and lightly clap them between your palms 2–3 times to release the oils.
- Place the mint leaves in the bottom of a large wine glass or iced tea glass. Add the St. Germain and stir briefly. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes to infuse.
- Fill the glass with ice. Pour in the Prosecco and Topo Chico, adjusting the sparkling water to taste.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with 2–3 mint sprigs and a lemon wheel. Serve immediately.
Notes
To keep mint vibrant, strip the lower leaves from the garnish sprig and give the bunch a quick dunk in ice water if needed. For a drier version, reduce the Topo Chico or choose a drier Prosecco. For a sweeter sip, add a touch more St. Germain.
Nutrition (estimated per serving)
- Calories: 181
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Sugar: 10 g
- Protein: 1 g
Estimated values; actual nutrition will vary based on exact ingredients and quantities used.