Hugo Spritz Cocktail Recipe: St-Germain Summer Aperitif

This Hugo Spritz recipe makes a light, floral, prosecco-based cocktail with elderflower and fresh mint. It's refreshing, low in bitterness, and hard to get wrong. You can make a good one on your first try.

What Is a Hugo Spritz?

A Hugo Spritz combines prosecco with St-Germain elderflower liqueur. Fresh mint leaves add aroma, and a splash of club soda or soda water adds fizz. It's served in a large wine glass, garnished with a sprig of mint and a lemon or lime wedge.

If you like the Aperol Spritz but want something lighter and more floral, the Hugo is your drink.

The History of the Hugo Spritz

The Hugo Spritz was created in northern Italy in 2005, in the Tyrol region of South Tyrol. Bartender Roland Gruber is credited with inventing it as an alternative to the Aperol Spritz. It has since spread across Europe and beyond, and it's now a fixture in the spritz category.

Why Choose a Hugo Spritz?

A Hugo Spritz is lighter and more floral than aperitifs like Aperol or Campari. It takes a few ingredients and a couple of minutes, so it works for a casual night in or a party. The St-Germain, prosecco, and mint stay balanced, and the mint and citrus garnish carry the aroma.

For more on how spritzes compare, see our St-Germain Spritz guide.

Hugo Spritz Ingredients

You need a few ingredients to make a Hugo Spritz:

• 3 oz prosecco
• 1.5 oz St-Germain elderflower liqueur
• 1 oz club soda or soda water
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves
• Lemon or lime wedge for garnish
• Ice

The prosecco brings the sparkle. The St-Germain brings a sweet floral note. The mint brings aroma, and the club soda adds fizz. Don't skip the lemon or lime wedge.

The Role of Fresh Mint

Fresh mint matters in a Hugo Spritz. Muddled gently, the leaves release oils that give the drink its fresh character. Press the mint in the wine glass before you add anything else. Go easy: over-muddling turns mint bitter. Use a sprig as garnish for the aroma.

How to Make a Hugo Spritz

Muddle the mint gently, then build the drink over ice:

1. Add ice to a large wine glass.
2. Gently muddle 6-8 mint leaves in the glass (don't overdo it).
3. Pour in 1.5 oz St-Germain elderflower liqueur.
4. Add 3 oz prosecco.
5. Top with 1 oz club soda.
6. Stir gently to combine.
7. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lemon or lime wedge.

Handle the mint gently. You want the oils, not shredded leaves and a bitter drink.

Hugo Spritz Variations

The classic Hugo Spritz is good on its own. A few seasonal swaps change it up:

Summer Hugo: Add a few slices of cucumber for extra freshness.

Berry Hugo: Muddle a few fresh raspberries or blackberries with the mint.

Citrus Hugo: Add a splash of fresh grapefruit juice for tartness.

Non-Alcoholic Hugo: Replace the prosecco with sparkling grape juice and use elderflower syrup instead of St-Germain. For more mocktail ideas, see our recipe collection.

What to Serve with a Hugo Spritz

The Hugo Spritz works as an aperitif. Its light, floral notes go with appetizers like bruschetta, Caprese salad, or light seafood. It also cuts spicy food. Serve it with a cheese board of soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese; the elderflower sweetness works with the creamy texture.

For more pairing ideas, see our dinner party themes guide.

Hugo Spritz vs. Other Spritzes

The spritz family has several variations, each with its own character:

Hugo Spritz: Floral, minty, light. Built on elderflower liqueur.

Aperol Spritz: Bittersweet, orange-forward. The most popular spritz worldwide.

Limoncello Spritz: Bright, lemony, sweet. Perfect for citrus lovers.

St-Germain Spritz: Similar to the Hugo but without the mint. Purely floral.

All spritzes share the same structure: a flavoring agent, sparkling wine, and soda water. The Hugo stands out for the herbal freshness the mint adds.

Making a Hugo Spritz for a Crowd

Hosting a party? The Hugo Spritz batches well. For 8 servings:

• 1 bottle (750ml) prosecco
• 12 oz St-Germain
• 8 oz club soda
• Large bunch of fresh mint
• Lemon and lime wedges

Combine the St-Germain and gently muddled mint in a pitcher and refrigerate until serving. When you're ready, add the prosecco and club soda, stir gently, and pour over ice in individual glasses. Garnish each with fresh mint and citrus.

Hugo Spritz FAQ

What does a Hugo Spritz taste like?

A Hugo Spritz tastes light, floral, and refreshing, with a hint of sweetness from the elderflower liqueur. The fresh mint adds an herbal, aromatic note. It's less bitter than an Aperol Spritz and more complex than a plain wine spritzer.

What's in a Hugo Spritz?

A Hugo Spritz contains prosecco, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, club soda, and fresh mint, garnished with a lemon or lime wedge.

Can I make a Hugo Spritz without St-Germain?

St-Germain is traditional, but you can substitute other elderflower liqueurs like Giffard or Bols. For a non-alcoholic version, use elderflower syrup or cordial.

What's the best prosecco for a Hugo Spritz?

Use a dry (brut) prosecco for the best balance. The elderflower liqueur adds sweetness, so a dry prosecco keeps the drink from getting cloying. Mid-range prosecco works fine.

How do I keep mint from getting bitter?

Muddle gently. Press the leaves just enough to release their oils, about 5-6 light presses. Don't twist, grind, or shred them; over-muddling releases bitter compounds.

Is a Hugo Spritz sweet?

Moderately. St-Germain adds noticeable sweetness, but the dry prosecco and fresh mint balance it. For less sweetness, reduce the St-Germain to 1 oz or add extra club soda.

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