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If you find an Aperol Spritz too bitter but want to enjoy a refreshing summer drink, try the Hugo Spritz. It’s a simple cocktail made with elderflower so it’s a sweeter counterpart to a traditional bitter spritz.

Two ornate glasses filled with a light-colored cocktail, garnished with mint and lime slices. A bottle of St-Germain liqueur and fresh mint leaves are visible in the background.

What is a Hugo Spritz?

This flowery drink was invented in 2005 in Italy, where the Aperol Spritz is the king cocktail of summer. Where Aperol drinks are usually pretty bitter, a Hugo Spritz is more floral, using elderflower liqueur (or syrup) instead of aperol or campari. This makes it a more refreshing, sweeter drink for those that don’t like the bittery orange taste of a classic spritz.

Jordan discovered these drinks recently and they’re my new favorite summer cocktail. I don’t always want a heavy cosmopolitan or too-sweet mai tai in the summer. A spritz with liqueur and prosecco is perfect, but I cannot stand the bitterness of Aperol. Once I discovered this cocktail I had to learn how to make it for myself and it’s now my go-to summer evening, sunset-watching drink.

A bottle of St-Germain, a small bottle of Barefoot sparkling wine, a bottle of San Pellegrino, a halved lime, and fresh mint leaves are arranged on a white surface.

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Hugo Spritz Ingredients

St. Germain is elderflower liqueur, the flowery base of the drink. You can use any elderflower liqueur you can find, or for a drink with lower alcohol content, use elderflower syrup.
Prosecco or sparkling wine is the backbone of any spritz drink. Use your favorite brand.
Soda water or club soda is what makes it a spritz and not a full cocktail.
Lime and mint, for garnish

A glass of a pale cocktail with ice, garnished with a lime slice and mint sprig, sits on a white surface. A second glass, a bottle, and a lime half are in the background.

Dorothy’s Testing Notes

I love making cocktails at home because I can control the ingredients. If I want a stronger drink, I’ll add less club soda. If I want something lighter, use more club soda, or less prosecco, or use syrup instead of liqueur. Buying $20 cocktails isn’t as fun when you can make them at home for a fraction of the cost.