Hugo Spritz - Elderflower, Prosecco & Mint Italian Spritz

The Hugo Spritz pairs crisp Prosecco with elderflower liqueur, fresh mint, soda water, and lime for a floral, sparkling aperitivo with plenty of aromatic lift. Built directly over ice, the Hugo Spritz stays light, bubbly, and refreshing, with mint giving the drink a distinctive herbal freshness alongside the elderflower.

From South Tyrol to Aperitivo Hour

Bartender Roland Gruber created the Hugo in South Tyrol, northern Italy, in 2005. The original version used lemon balm syrup before the drink evolved toward elderflower cordial and eventually elderflower liqueur. Its combination of sparkling wine, floral sweetness, herbs, and soda helped it become a contemporary European aperitivo favorite.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Elderflower liqueur: Provides the drink's floral sweetness and aromatic core.
• Prosecco: Forms the crisp, sparkling wine base.
• Soda water: Lengthens the drink and adds extra carbonation.
• Mint leaves: Add fresh herbal aroma throughout the spritz.
• Mint sprig: Reinforces the mint aroma at the rim of the glass.
• Lime: Adds a fresh citrus accent to the finished drink.

Useful substitutions:

• No Prosecco? Use another dry sparkling wine such as Cava.
• No elderflower liqueur? Elderflower cordial or syrup creates a sweeter, non-equivalent variation, so adjust cautiously.
• No soda water? Plain sparkling mineral water works well.
• No lime? Lemon gives the drink a slightly different but compatible citrus finish.

Equipment

• Large wine glass
• Jigger
• Bar spoon
• Ice

Why This Spritz Stands Apart

Floral, Herbal, and Still Crisp

The Hugo gets much of its personality from the combination of elderflower and fresh mint. Elderflower supplies soft floral sweetness, while mint adds a cool aromatic layer without requiring citrus juice or a bitter aperitivo. Prosecco and soda keep the drink lively, making the finished spritz lighter and more delicate than many bitter Italian aperitivo cocktails.

Substitutions & Variations

• Drier Hugo: Choose a brut Prosecco for a less sweet sparkling base.
• More herbal: Add a little extra fresh mint, but avoid crushing the leaves.
• Different bubbles: Substitute dry Cava or another crisp sparkling wine for the Prosecco.
• Citrus variation: Use lemon instead of lime for a softer citrus aroma.
• Longer spritz: Add a little more soda water for a lighter, more extended serve.

Helpful Tips

• Chill the Prosecco and soda water before building the drink.
• Fill the glass generously with ice to keep the spritz cold.
• Handle mint gently. Stir it with the elderflower liqueur rather than aggressively muddling it.
• Add the Prosecco and soda carefully to preserve carbonation.
• Stir only once or twice after adding the sparkling ingredients.
• Add the mint sprig and lime immediately before serving so their aromas stay fresh.
• For several drinks, portion the elderflower liqueur and mint first, then add the sparkling ingredients individually just before serving.