Oh happy day! Today, Kyla from House of Hipsters is back with us sharing a dreamy cocktail! I’m excited to give this Hugo Spritz Recipe a try… and I bet you will be too. Cheers!

Hi guys! I’ve just returned from visiting family in Germany. We took both kids across the pond and had an absolute blast! Oma and Opa watched the kids while The Boy and I gallivanted across Munich. Then it was back to their house for some much-needed rest and relaxation.

cocktail with elderflower, fresh mint, lime, ice, and sparkling wine.

Now I sit here in my office, daydreaming of The Fatherland, but to take me back, I sip on a Hugo Spritz.

What Is a Hugo Spritz?

My mother-in-law (Oma), well known for her fancy libations, made me a cocktail called a Hugo…amongst many others. (I swear, I can drink for days over there.)

But this one in particular, she likes to enjoy on the patio during the summer months because of its nice, crisp and refreshing taste.

After one sip, I exclaimed, “I’ll enjoy one of these bad boys any day, any time, anywhere.”

Super delicious, but then again, how can you go wrong with a drink she described as a champagne aperitif with elderflower and mint?

Since it’s happy hour o’clock, I’d like to share my mother-in-law’s Hugo Spritz recipe with you.

Hugo Spritz vs. Aperol Spritz

I’m always suspicious when someone pours me a drink and says, “Here, try this.” Maybe it’s because of all the bad jokes we played on one another back in my college days with cement mixers and black licorice shots. Eww, so nasty.

But The Boy’s mom has good taste, so I trusted her.

I was also incredibly jet-lagged when she handed me an icy beverage. The first of many was called an Aperol Spritz.

Basically, it’s similar to a Hugo Spritz, but instead of the elderflower syrup, which is sweeter, you use Aperol.

It was a little bitter, but it was mixed with champagne, so there was no sending this one back. I drank it to the last drop.

Overhead view of a Hugo Spritz with ice, fresh mint, and lime garnish.

What Kind of Sparkling Wine Is Best for a Hugo Spritz?

Some people think you can only drink champagne on special occasions. I beg to differ.

Champagne is delicious… and before everyone starts to correct me, yes, I know true champagne only comes from France, but let’s all play along. Besides, the mother-in-law’s champagne was actually from France since she lives a stone’s throw away.

Seriously, France is like 8 mins from her house. So jealous. Anyhoo, back to my champagne point.

I don’t buy fancy champagne when I make these drinks. I’m mixing them with other ingredients, so I like to keep it under $10 a bottle or thereabouts. Personally, I really like to use Barefoot Bubbly or Korbel Brut. For the price, you can’t beat the taste.

Prosecco is another great choice for a Hugo Spritz and is commonly used in this refreshing cocktail. You can use Prosecco or another sparkling wine—whatever you enjoy or already have on hand.

Also something to note, since you are adding a sweet syrup to this drink, I like to use a Brut. It’s sharper in taste and helps balance the sweetness of the elderflower syrup. If you’re using Prosecco, a drier variety works nicely for the same reason.

How to Make a Hugo Cocktail

With bubbly sparkling wine, sweet elderflower, fresh mint, and plenty of ice, this Hugo Spritz is an easy and refreshing cocktail that’s especially lovely during the warmer months.

It’s light, crisp, slightly floral, and just sweet enough without feeling heavy.

Serve it nice and cold, add a sprig of fresh mint, and enjoy.

Hugo Spritz with ice, mint, lime, and sparkling wine served in a glass.

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