Hugo Spritz
A floral, refreshing and bubbly cocktail ∙ Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 7% ABV ∙
The Hugo Spritz is a low-proof Italian highball of elderflower liqueur, dry sparkling wine, soda water, and fresh mint, built over ice in a wine glass.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Add Fresh mint leaves 8 pcs to the chilled glass
- Fill the glass with ice
- Add the remaining ingredients: Elderflower liqueur 40 mlSoda water 60 mlDry sparkling wine 60 ml
- Briefly stir
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a mint sprig
Tips
- Add the mint leaves to the glass before the ice so they bruise gently under the cubes rather than being crushed.
History
The Hugo was created in 2005 by bartender Roland Gruber at the San Zeno Bar in Naturno (Naturns), a town in Italy's South Tyrol near the Austrian border, as a lighter alternative to the Aperol Spritz (Spritz Veneziano). Gruber's original version used lemon balm syrup rather than elderflower, but elderflower syrup, being easier to source, soon replaced it in practice and became the drink's defining flavor.
From South Tyrol the drink spread through Triveneto, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany by word of mouth before becoming an international aperitivo staple, with elderflower liqueur eventually becoming a common substitute for the syrup in many modern versions.
FAQ
What is a Hugo Spritz made of?
Elderflower liqueur, dry sparkling wine, soda water and fresh mint leaves, served over ice. At around 7% ABV it is a light aperitivo rather than a strong cocktail.
What is the difference between a Hugo Spritz and an Aperol Spritz?
The Hugo Spritz uses elderflower liqueur and mint, so it tastes light and floral. An Aperol Spritz uses bitter Aperol, so it is bittersweet with a citrus edge. Both are low-proof drinks of sparkling wine and soda over ice.
What is the ratio for a Hugo Spritz?
60 ml each of dry sparkling wine and soda water to 40 ml of elderflower liqueur, over ice and eight mint leaves. Equal wine and soda keep it light and fizzy rather than syrupy.
How do you make the best Hugo Spritz?
Put the mint leaves in the chilled wine glass before the ice, so the cubes bruise them gently instead of crushing them. Add the elderflower liqueur, soda water and sparkling wine, stir briefly, and garnish with a lime wedge and a mint sprig.
