Hugo Spritz (Prosecco & St. Germain Spritz)

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The Hugo Spritz is the epitome of a summer sipper, perfectly blending vibrant floral flavors and effervescence for a refreshing, spa-like experience. Whether you're hosting a backyard gathering or simply craving a revitalizing drink after a long day, this Prosecco & St. Germain Spritz recipe is bound to become your new go-to.

Prosecco & St. Germain Spritz in a wine glass on the counter.

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⭐ Why You’ll Love This Hugo Spritz Recipe
🍴Ingredients
⏲️ Substitutions & Variations
📖 Step by Step Instructions
👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips/Expert baking tips
💭 Recipe FAQs
More Summery Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love
Hugo Spritz (Prosecco & St. Germain Spritz)
💬 Comments

Looking for a refreshing and oh-so-delicious drink to quench your thirst? Well, look no further. Get ready to elevate your happy hour at home with my light and lovely Hugo Spritz recipe! Trust me, all it takes is one sip of this lovely libation to become absolutely enamored.

Picture this: a vibrant blend of crisp prosecco, fragrant elderflower liqueur, zesty lime, and a hint of mint, all coming together to create a symphony of flavors that will transport you straight to the sunny streets of Italy.

So, whether you're hosting a backyard bash, planning a picnic in the park, or dining al fresco with your honey, this elderflower spritzer is your ultimate companion. And, like all spritz recipes, it requires just a handful of ingredients and only a few minutes of your time. Cheers!

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Hugo Spritz Recipe

Aside from being the most in-vogue drink of summer, this Prosecco St Germain cocktail recipe is also:

Quick & Easy - You don’t need any fancy bar tools and it’ll be ready for sipping in just 2 minutes. I’ll call that a win-win!
Bright & Refreshing - If you could distill summer in a glass, the Hugo cocktail would be it, striking the perfect balance between sweetness, tanginess, and effervescence.
Made With Only 5 Ingredients - If you’ve got a bottle of elderflower liqueur and a bottle of bubbly, you’re basically halfway there!

🍴Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients to make this quick and easy Hugo spritz recipe. Here’s what to grab for this refreshing, light cocktail:

Ice - Ok, technically speaking, this is the 6th ingredient. But it’s ICE. If possible, use filtered water to make your ice cubes for the best, cleanest flavor.
St. Germain - While there are other elderflower liqueurs on the market, St. Germain is without a doubt the most delicious. Plus, that stunning bottle will make your bar cart look that much more refined. 😉
Bottle of Prosecco - Since this is an Italian drink, prosecco would be the most traditional. That said, any dry sparkling white wine will do the trick!
Sparkling Water - I prefer the flavor of mineral water to seltzer, but then, that’s just me. Feel free to swap in club soda, La Croix, or some homemade Soda Stream fizzy water instead.
Lime - There’s no substitute for fresh citrus juice in this St Germain spritz! Plus, you’ll want a few lime wheels for garnish, so go ahead and grab a few.
Mint - While the flavor is subtle, I love the herbaceous quality a few sprigs can give this prosecco spritz. Oh, and even if you’re a black thumb, mint grows like gangbusters. Plant a pot and stick it in a sunny spot, and you’ll be rewarded with tons of minty goodness so you can make these Hugo cocktails and my tropical mango mojitos all summer long.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

As much as Calvin and I are head over heels for this Hugo cocktail recipe, you’re welcome to tweak it to fit your own preferences. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

Berry Bliss: Add a handful of fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries to your Hugo Spritz. Muddle them gently to release their juices before combining with the other ingredients. This variation adds a burst of fruity goodness to your drink, making it even more irresistible.
Ginger Zing: Infuse your Hugo drink with a hint of ginger by adding a splash of ginger syrup or using ginger beer instead of sparkling water. This variation adds a spicy kick to the refreshing drink, awakening your senses and creating a unique aperitif spritz that pairs beautifully with Asian-inspired dinners.
Minty Fresh Mocktail: For a non-alcoholic version of the Hugo Spritz, replace the prosecco with extra sparkling water and use elderflower juice or elderflower nectar in place of St. Germain. Keep all the other ingredients the same, and you'll have a delightful mocktail that everyone can enjoy!
Bubbly Rosé Twist: Swap the traditional prosecco with a sparkling rosé wine for a pretty-in-pink twist on the classic Hugo Spritz. The rosé adds a subtle blush hue and a touch of berry notes to the cocktail, making it even more visually appealing and elegant. Serve with a strawberry slice on the rim for an extra touch of sophistication.

Remember, these variations are just the beginning of what is possible! Feel free to experiment with other fruits, herbs, or even a different type of sparkling wine to create your own signature summer spritz-style cocktails (and don’t forget to tag me in your Insta posts so I can cheer you on!). Cheers to endless possibilities!

📖 Step by Step Instructions

This St. Germain Hugo Spritz cocktail recipe comes together in a snap. Here’s how to make this classic cocktail:

Step 1: Slap the mint leaves to release the oils, then drop them into your glass and pour in your St Germain. (Alternatively, you can gently muddle the leaves in the base of your glass with the St Germain for a more mint-forward flavor).

Mint leaves and st germain in a wine glass.

Step 2: Be Patient. Allow the mint leaves and st germain to gently infuse for three minutes as you open a prosecco bottle, grab the sparking water and prepare your garnish (lime wheels and additional mint sprig if desired).

Mixing sparkling ingredients in a wine glass to make a Prosecco & St. Germain Spritz.

Step 3: Finish. Add ice into your large wine glass, top with sparkling wine, a splash of soda water, and some additional lime slices and mint sprigs for garnish before enjoying!

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips/Expert baking tips

Here are some expert tips to help you master the art of making a perfect Hugo Spritz:

Since the Hugo Spritz is a relatively simple cocktail, it's important to use high-quality ingredients to ensure a delicious outcome. Choose a good prosecco or sparkling wine that you enjoy drinking on its own. Opt for a reputable elderflower liqueur (like St. Germain) that captures the essence of the delicate flower. Freshly squeezed lime juice and fresh mint leaves will elevate the flavors even further.
To maintain the crisp and refreshing nature of your drink, make sure all your ingredients are well chilled. Keep your prosecco, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, and any other components in the refrigerator before mixing. Additionally, chill your serving glasses in the freezer for a few minutes prior to serving to help keep your drink cooler for longer.
The key to a well-balanced St. Germain spritz is getting the proportions right. Start with a 3:1 ratio of prosecco to elderflower liqueur, and adjust according to your taste preferences. Some may prefer a slightly sweeter or stronger elderflower flavor, so feel free to tweak the proportions accordingly. Keep in mind that the lime juice and mint should complement the other flavors without overpowering them, so use a light hand when adding those ingredients.
When it's time to mix your ingredients, be gentle and avoid vigorous stirring or shaking. The goal is to blend the flavors without losing the effervescence of the prosecco. Use a long bar spoon or a gentle stir to combine the ingredients. If you're making a variation with muddled fruits or herbs, lightly muddle them to release their flavors, but don't crush them completely.
Aesthetics are an important part of the cocktail experience, so take an extra moment to garnish your prosecco spritzes before serving. A sprig of fresh mint, a lime wheel, or even a colorful edible flower can add a touch of elegance to your drink. Get creative and use garnishes that complement the flavors and reflect your personal style.

Prosecco & St. Germain Spritz in a wine glass.

💭 Recipe FAQs

What kind of alcohol is St-Germain?

Oh, St-Germain, what a delightful elixir! St-Germain is an elderflower liqueur, and boy, oh boy, is it something special. It's made from the delicate and aromatic blossoms of elderflower, which are handpicked in the French Alps during a brief and magical period in the springtime. Can you picture those gorgeous flowers swaying in the breeze? Ah, nature's beauty!

Now, for the uninitiated among you, St-Germain is like a whisper of heaven in a bottle. It's got this incredible floral and slightly sweet flavor that just dances on your taste buds. You might catch hints of pear, peach, and even a touch of citrus in there. It's like a bouquet of happiness exploded in your mouth!

So, whether you're crafting a refreshing summer sipper, a classy cocktail for a special occasion, or just looking to experiment with new flavors, St-Germain is your go-to spirit. Trust me, once you try it, you'll be hooked. It's like having a little piece of French elegance right in your glass.

Can you drink St-Germain on its own?

Absolutely! St-Germain is so deliciously smooth and flavorful that you can certainly sip it neat or over ice. It's like savoring a little taste of floral paradise with every sip. The delicate notes of elderflower, pear, and citrus come alive, enveloping your palate in a dance of sweetness and elegance.

But St-Germain ALSO plays well with others. You can mix it with all sorts of spirits to create some seriously scrumptious cocktails. Vodka, gin, champagne, whiskey—you name it, and St-Germain will be there to elevate it to new heights of deliciousness. It adds this elegant and enchanting touch to any drink it meets.

What defines a spritz?

A spritz is a light, effervescent, and oh-so-refreshing cocktail that originated in Italy. Think: bubbles, flavors, and good vibes all rolled into one. The key defining feature of a spritz is its signature fizzy nature, usually achieved by adding some sort of sparkling component like prosecco or soda water.

A spritz also typically includes a bittersweet liqueur or an aperitif as its main flavor base. Think Aperol, Campari, or even the lovely St. Germain Spritz we were just talking about. These liqueurs bring a touch of complexity, balancing sweetness and bitterness to create a slurpably delectable drink.

More Summery Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love

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