Hugo spritz cocktail is a delightful and refreshing drink that’s becoming a true favorite, especially on those hot summer days. Today, I’m excited to share a special Hugo cocktail recipe that uses white wine instead of Prosecco, also called Kaiser Spritzer in Austria.
Personally, I adore the way white wine mingles in spritz drinks, but of course, you can make it with Prosecco too if that’s more your style. This delightful cocktail brings together elderflower syrup, white wine, mineral water, lime, and mint for a truly refreshing experience.
And if you love the taste of elderflowers as much as I do, why not try our delicious elderflower fritters made in the air fryer?
They’re absolutely to die for!
Plus, you simply must check out our stunning Limoncello Martini with elderflower syrup—it’s my absolute favorite cocktail this summer, right after the Hugo!
🥘 Ingredients
- Cubed Ice
- Fresh Mint: Adds a burst of freshness and a lovely aroma.
- Lime - Fresh Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice brings a tangy brightness to your cocktail. For tips on how to get the most juice out of your limes, check out our detailed post on freshly squeezed lime juice.
- White Wine - Any Dry Wine Works Great Opt for a dry variety to balance the sweetness of the elderflower syrup. Check our recommendations below on choosing the perfect white wine for your spritzer!
- Elderflower Syrup - I am using a Monin Elderflower Syrup: This syrup adds a delightful floral sweetness. Monin is my go-to brand for its rich and authentic flavor.
- Sparkling Mineral Water
See the recipe card for quantities.
🍸 Step-by-Step
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Wash the mint and pick off 2-3 leaves. Gently rub them between your fingers to release their aroma and place them in the wine glass.
Step 2: Wash the lime, cut it in half, and slice one of the halves. Squeeze the juice from the other half and set it aside.
Step 3: Fill the wine glass with cubed ice.
Step 4: Add one teaspoon of lime juice or more if you prefer.
Step 5: Pour in the elderflower syrup.
Step 6: Add the white wine.
Step 7: Top off with sparkling mineral water.
Step 8: Give the drink a quick stir.
Step 9: Garnish with the mint leaves and lime slices. Enjoy!
💕 Perfect Pairing
- Coconut Pound Cake
- The tropical sweetness of this Coconut Pound Cake is the perfect complement to the floral and citrusy notes of a Hugo cocktail, creating a delightful balance of flavors.
- 5 Ingredient No-Bake Cheesecake
- Enjoy the creamy and tangy delight of this 5 Ingredient No-Bake Cheesecake with a Hugo cocktail, whose light and refreshing taste enhances the cheesecake's rich flavors.
- Pavlova
- The crisp meringue and fresh fruit topping of this Pavlova pair wonderfully with a Hugo spritz, making for a refreshing and elegant dessert experience.
- 6 Egg White Cake
- This light and airy 6 Egg White Cake complements the refreshing and effervescent qualities of a Hugo cocktail, making for a delightful combination that’s perfect for any occasion.
- 3 Ingredient Yogurt Cake
- This simple yet delicious cake made with Greek yogurt, condensed milk, and cornstarch is light and tangy. Its subtle sweetness and creamy texture are a delightful match with the Hugo cocktail.
🤔 PICKING THE RIGHT WHITE WINE
Choosing the perfect wine for your Hugo cocktail is easier than you think! For the best results, go for a dry, light-bodied wine. Here are some fantastic options:
If you enjoy a light, zesty white wine, try:
- Pinot Grigio
- Pinot Blanc
- Grenache Blanc
- Muscadel
- Sauvignon Vert/Friulano
For those who prefer herbaceous white wines with a "green" herbal profile, offering hints of freshly cut grass or aromatic herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme, these selections are ideal:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Grüner Veltliner – A beloved choice in Austria!
- Vermentino
These recommendations are a great starting point, but feel free to explore more options or ask the knowledgeable staff at your local wine shop for further advice!
🍸 Hugo Cocktail Substitutions
Variation with Prosecco:
- White Wine Substitute: Use Prosecco instead of white wine for a traditional twist. This will add a bit more fizz and a slightly sweeter taste to your cocktail.
Alcohol-Free Variation:
- White Wine Substitute: Replace the white wine with non-alcoholic white wine or white grape juice for a refreshing, alcohol-free version.
- Prosecco Substitute: For an alcohol-free Prosecco option, use sparkling apple cider or a non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
Additional Substitutions:
- Elderflower Syrup: If elderflower syrup is unavailable, use St-Germain elderflower liqueur for a slightly different but equally delicious flavor. For a non-alcoholic option, elderflower cordial works perfectly.
- Lime Juice: If fresh lime juice is not available, bottled lime juice can be used, though the flavor might be slightly different. Lemon juice can also be a good substitute, providing a similar tangy freshness.
- Sparkling Mineral Water: Club soda or any unflavored sparkling water can replace sparkling mineral water without altering the taste significantly.
- Mint Leaves: If fresh mint is not available, a few drops of peppermint extract can be used, though use sparingly as it's quite potent.
These substitutions ensure you can enjoy a Hugo cocktail regardless of your ingredient availability or preference for alcohol content. Cheers!
🇮🇹 Why is it called Hugo Cocktail?
The Hugo spritz is believed to have been named by its creator, Roland Gruber, a bartender from South Tyrol, Italy. The story goes that in 2005, Gruber was looking to create a refreshing summer drink that could serve as an alternative to the popular Aperol Spritz.
He originally thought of naming the cocktail "Otto," but later decided on "Hugo." The exact reason behind the choice of the name "Hugo" remains somewhat unclear, but it is speculated that it was simply a name that sounded appealing and memorable.
🍽 Equipment
- Sharp knife & cutting board
- Lemon squeezer
- Jigger / Measuring tools
- Wine glass
- Long stemmed spoon
💭 Top tips
Which Mint is best?
When it comes to cocktails, spearmint is generally considered the best choice for several reasons:
- Mild Flavor: Spearmint has a milder and sweeter flavor compared to other mint varieties, such as peppermint, which can have a more intense and sometimes overwhelming taste. This makes spearmint more versatile and pleasant in a variety of cocktails.
- Aroma: The aromatic quality of spearmint is refreshing and invigorating, enhancing the overall sensory experience of the cocktail.
- Texture: Spearmint leaves are tender and easy to muddle, releasing their essential oils without becoming overly bitter or fibrous.
- Availability: Spearmint is widely available and commonly grown, making it a convenient choice for both home bartenders and professionals.
Some other varieties like peppermint or apple mint can also be used, but they have stronger and more distinct flavors that might not blend as seamlessly with other ingredients in a cocktail. Spearmint strikes the perfect balance, providing a fresh and clean taste without overpowering the drink.
Why rub the mint between your fingers before using it?
Rubbing mint leaves between your fingers before using them in a cocktail serves several important purposes:
- Releases Essential Oils: The action of rubbing the mint leaves helps to break down the cell walls of the leaves, releasing their essential oils. These oils are responsible for the mint's distinctive aroma and flavor.
- Enhances Aroma: By releasing the essential oils, you intensify the mint's aroma, which adds to the sensory experience of the cocktail. A stronger aroma can make the drink more appealing and refreshing.
- Improves Flavor: The essential oils released by rubbing the leaves contribute significantly to the mint's flavor in the cocktail. This ensures that the mint's taste is prominent and well-distributed throughout the drink.
- Better Integration: Rubbing the leaves helps them integrate more thoroughly with the other ingredients in the cocktail, enhancing the overall harmony of flavors.
In essence, this simple technique of rubbing mint leaves is a quick and effective way to maximize their contribution to the cocktail, making the drink more flavorful and aromatic.
Other White Wine Recipes for You to Try
- Watermelon Spritzer {white wine}
- Lovely Lavender Spritz Cocktail
- How to make a White Wine Spritzer (easy recipe)
- How to make a Refreshing Strawberry Spritz Cocktail
If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. This would be awesome! You can also sign up for our Newsletter or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I don't miss it.
📖 Recipe
Refreshing Hugo Cocktail with White Wine
Equipment
- Sharp knife & cutting board
- Wine Glass
- Long stemmed spoon
Ingredients
- Fresh Mint
- Cubed Ice
- ½ Lime sliced
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Lime Juice
- 2 tablespoon Elderflower Syrup
- ⅔ cup White Wine
- ¼ cup Sparkling Mineral Water
Instructions
- Wash Fresh Mint and pick off 2-3 leaves.Fresh Mint
- Rub the mint leaves gently between your fingers to release their aroma and add them to the wine glass.
- Wash the lime, cut it in half, and slice ½ Lime.½ Lime
- Squeeze the juice from the other half and set it aside.
- Fill the wine glass with Cubed Ice.Cubed Ice
- Add 1 teaspoon Fresh Lime Juice, or adjust to taste.1 teaspoon Fresh Lime Juice
- Pour in 2 tablespoon Elderflower Syrup, followed by ⅔ cup White Wine.2 tablespoon Elderflower Syrup, ⅔ cup White Wine
- Top off with ¼ cup Sparkling Mineral Water.¼ cup Sparkling Mineral Water
- Stir briefly.
- Garnish with mint leaves and lime slices.
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
⛑️ Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For further information, check Safe Food Handling - FDA.
Genevieve says
This Hugo spritz looks perfect for summer! Such a light and refreshing cocktail, I can't wait to make this!
Nora says
Thank you, Genevieve! Let me know how you liked it!