A light and floral tipple, the Hugo Spritz is the perfect end-of-summer cocktail.
The final weeks of sunshine, pool parties and barbecues are upon us. That slight, undefinable notion of sadness descends, a bittersweet smile crosses our face… it was over so fast, and only just felt like it was starting. Pretty soon, it’s only you paddling around in the pool, a lone cocktail sitting on the patio table. The ice is melting quickly too.
That sense of winding down, that the house is getting quiet and everyone is going back home seeps into the drinks we enjoy. When there’s a chorus of chatter and laughter around the table, the beverages are just as strong and boisterous. The few of us left to stroll slowly through the now quiet garden need something to match the vibe. The drink we’re making today is the perfect one for those laid-back and reflective moments, the Hugo Spritz.
The Spritz cocktail, which has been around since the 1800s, is usually a sparkling wine, prosecco or bitter liqueur topped with soda water. The word itself, spritz, comes from the German spritzen, which means “to splash”. Through the decades, many variations of this popular beverage have popped up around the world. The Hugo Spritz is one of them, and it stands out in the flavor department.
The year was 2005, and Roland Gruber was managing the San Zeno bar in Naturno, Italy. One day inspiration struck, and Gruber crafted a mixture of prosecco, club soda and lemon balm syrup, which was later replaced with a new and popular elderflower liqueur, St-Germain. This light, fresh and floral-tasting drink came to be known as the Hugo Spritz.
What is St-Germain?
St-Germain is a French floral liqueur that was first introduced in the early 2000s. Made from elderflowers that are hand-picked every spring, St-Germain brings a fresh and light flowery flavor to whatever recipe you’re using it in. A relatively new brand in the cocktail world, its range of uses in everything from spritzes to gimlets has ensured its place amongst all the other bottles at the bar.
What is the Best Sparkling Wine to Use in a Hugo Spritz?
When choosing a proper prosecco, sparkling wine or even champagne for your afternoon (or mid-morning) spritz, I suggest going with a bottle of dry bubbly. You’ll let the elderflower liqueur accentuate the fruity flavors present in the prosecco, bringing them a little more to the front. A sweeter variety might clash with the St-Germain or create an overpowering taste.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce elderflower liqueur
- 4 ounces prosecco chilled
- 1 ounce soda water chilled
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Place the mint leaves in the palm of your hand and clap to gently bruise them. This releases the oils and enhances the flavor.
- Add the bruised mint leaves and ice cubes to a large wine glass.
- Pour the elderflower liqueur over the ice.
- Add chilled prosecco and soda water.
- Stir gently to mix the ingredients without losing the fizz.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the light, floral refreshment.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
A Hugo Spritz needs the proper look, which is a large wine glass filled with ice cubes and garnished with a few fresh mint leaves.
No. With two out of the three major ingredients being carbonated, it is best to drink and enjoy this cocktail as it’s made.
While on the lighter side at 182 calories, drinking a lot of these could pack on the pounds.
Originally named the Otto Spritz, its inventor Roland Gruber eventually settled on Hugo at random.
Similar Drinks to the Hugo Spritz
As the warmer months and longer days begin to wane and leave us, enjoying a few light and bubbly cocktails can help ease the pain of another summer saying goodbye. The Hugo Spritz is only one example of this refreshing and effervescent style of tipple, so if you’re curious about trying a few more out before the kids go back to school, Twist & Toast can help with your search. Check out some of these bubbly recipes below.
- Aperol Spritz – A lightly sweet and sour citrusy spritz that bears the colors of a summer afternoon.
- Campari Spritz – A dark red and bitter bubbly tipple.
- Americano – Campari, sweet vermouth and club soda combine for a refreshing and robust beverage.
- White Wine Spritzer – Bright and fizzy, the White Wine Spritzer is a fantastic after-dinner drink.
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