Home » Beverages » The Hugo Spritz
A refreshing sparkling wine cocktail with prosecco, elderflower liqueur and sparking water garnished with fresh mint and lime.
A Hugo Spritz is a super refreshing, bubbly cocktail with a completely unique flavor thanks to elderflower liqueur (which, by the way, tasted nothing like I was expecting it to)!
It's not too sweet (but not bitter like an aperol spritz either). It has the perfect amount of sweetness (just a kiss)... that "just right" amount that feels like summer but nowhere near the cloying syrupiness of other summer cocktails.
It is bright and fresh and has become my go-to drink since I first tasted one!
I had never heard of a Hugo Spritz until we were in Scotland dropping Baby Girl off at the University of Edinburgh. And if ever a mama needed a drink, it was then!
Hugo Spritz was featured in almost every bar and restaurant we went into. So much so, that I thought (even in spite of the French St-Germain elderflower liqueur) it was a Scottish thing.
Not only is it not Scottish, the Hugo Spritz isn't French either. It's Italian! And since it originated in northern Italy, near the Austrian border, it first became popular in German-speaking countries. How's all that for a European origin story?! And now this Southern American is knocking them back too!
HOW TO MAKE A HUGO SPRITZ
Recipes vary on ratios and measurements. The recipe I have below in the recipe card is how I enjoy them best but you can definitely change up the measurements as you like. So long as you have the ingredients right, you can't go wrong. A traditional Hugo Spritz is made from the following ingredients:
- Elderflower liqueur
- Prosecco (or any sparkling wine)
- Sparkling water (or club soda)
- Lime slices
- Mint leaves
WHAT IS ELDERFLOWER LIQUEUR?
Elderflower liqueur is fruity, floral and sweet and has none of the earthy, herbal notes its name may conjure in your mind. It has been described as tasting slightly of pears and peaches (I agree!).
It is made from the tiny blossoms that bloom in Spring. The blossoms are harvested then steeped in spirits to extract the flavor. The elixir is then sweetened with sugar or honey.
There are several brands of elderflower liqueur but the most popular is St-Germain. It is readily available in most liquor stores. This surprised me since I'd never heard of it. I waltzed into my local liquor store thinking I was about to ask for something special and built up my inquiry with waaaay too much backstory and the clerk was like, Yeah, it's right there. [not stating the obvious thought in her mind, Heifer you ain't special since you went across the pond]
MORE REFRESHING SUMMER COCKTAIL RECIPES
THE BEST MOJITOS EVER - With fresh mint and limes, rum and a little something to make it sparkle, this pitcher recipe will be your summer go-to!
SUMMER CITRUS SANGRIA - A sparkling white wine sangria with oranges, lemons, grapefruit and limes that's super refreshing and perfect for cooling off by the pool, at the lake or on the beach!
TENNESSEE HONEY HOLE - A light and refreshing Southern cocktail recipe made with Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey, fresh peaches and ginger ale.
CREAMSICLE CRUSH - A cool and creamy cocktail recipe with whipped cream vodka, orange juice and a splash of cream served over crushed ice in a powdered sugar-rimmed glass.
Recipe for Hugo Spritz Cocktail
The Hugo Spritz
A refreshing sparkling wine cocktail with prosecco, elderflower liqueur and sparking water garnished with fresh mint and lime.
Ingredients
- 2 oz elderflower liqueur
- 2 oz sparkling water (or club soda)
- 4 oz prosecco
- 1 slice of lime
- 1 large sprig of mint
Instructions
- Add elderflower liqueur and slice of lime to a red wine glass (or other goblet-style glass).
- Fill glass halfway with ice.
- Add sparking water and prosecco then stir with mint sprig.
Notes
- Use any dry or semi-dry sparkling wine such as prosecco or champagne.
- I typically use Pellegrino because I have it on-hand but any sparkling water or club soda can be used (just don't use tonic water as it is flavored).
- If you prefer sweeter cocktails, use lemon-lime soda instead of sparkling water.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Did you try this recipe? Please rate it above in the recipe card and let me know what you thought!