Hugo Spritz

Hugo Cocktail recipe

The Hugo Cocktail is one of those easy summer cocktails you’ll keep coming back for. If you want to give it an extra kick, you can add a bit of gin, but this cooling cocktail is equally delicious without.

Authentic Hugo Cocktail ingredients

As is often the case with cocktails that use only a few ingredients, quality remains vital. And as you’re (probably) not in Italy right now, elderflower syrup will be hard to come by—unless you make your own. To do this, you’ll need to get your hands on dried elderflowers, which are easy to find online. It might sound like a big task, but you can’t take shortcuts if you want to make a decent Hugo Cocktail recipe. You want the elderflower’s floral, citrusy notes to give this cocktail its unique botanical edge. If you can’t be bothered to make your own syrup, the next best thing will be to get your hands on a bottle of elderflower liqueur.

Then there’s the Prosecco, and you mustn’t confuse this with other sparkling wine varieties. Prosecco is proudly Italian and is a slightly sweeter version of champagne, with delicate bubbles and flavours of lemon, apple, and pear. Combined with the floral base of the elderflower and lightened up with the addition of soda water, it’s a beautiful match made in Italian heaven.  

The origins of the Hugo Cocktail recipe

Invented in Northern Italy in 2005, this Italian cocktail might be relatively new to the scene but, in our books, this summer sipper is right on-trend. Made with only three ingredients, it’s simple to make as a batch for easy hosting.  

Can you make the Hugo Cocktail ahead of time?

The wonderful thing about spritzes is that you can make them ahead of time in a batch. To make a crowd-pleasing Hugo Spritz, add a couple of handfuls of mint to a large pitcher and muddle with the back of a wooden spoon. Pour in around 7- 8 oz elderflower liqueur or syrup. When you’re ready to serve, pour a bottle of prosecco and stir it lightly. Pour into serving glasses, add a splash of soda and a slice of lime to each, and serve.  

When is the best time to serve the Hugo Cocktail?

National Spritz Day is on the 1st of August, but you can serve the Hugo Cocktail all year round. This refreshing drink can be a great addition to your brunch table or enjoyed on a hot day when you want a low-alcohol cocktail to quench your thirst. You can also enjoy it after work or before dinner, during your lunch hour, or as part of a healthier lunch. This bubbly and floral low-proof Hugo Cocktail will lighten up the mood, so go ahead and kick off cocktail hour in style.