What Is a Hugo Spritz? The Elderflower Cocktail Taking Over Summer

What Is a Hugo Spritz?

A Hugo Spritz is a pale gold Italian aperitivo cocktail from South Tyrol made with elderflower cordial or syrup, sparkling wine, soda water, fresh mint and lime. Light, floral and low in bitterness, it is often described as the gentler, garden-fresh cousin of Italy’s more famous orange spritz.

Key Takeaways

• The Hugo Spritz originated in South Tyrol, the German-speaking alpine region of northern Italy, in the early 2000s.
• Its defining flavour is elderflower, balanced with fresh mint, lime and the dry effervescence of sparkling wine.
• It is pronounced simply “HOO-go”, after the German name Hugo.
• A traditional Hugo Spritz contains alcohol from its sparkling wine base, typically landing around 8–10% ABV once diluted with soda water.
• An alcohol-free version can be made using Lyre’s Classico Sparkling, a non-alcoholic sparkling beverage crafted in the style of a dry sparkling wine, at under 0.5% ABV.
• It differs from the classic orange spritz mainly in flavour profile: floral and herbal rather than bitter and citrus-forward.

Where Does the Hugo Spritz Come From?

The Hugo Spritz is widely credited to bartender Roland Gruber, who introduced it in South Tyrol around 2005 as a lighter, more floral alternative to the region’s popular bitter spritz culture. South Tyrol sits at the crossroads of Italian and Austrian influence, and the drink reflects that: Prosecco-style sparkling wine meets elderflower, an ingredient long used in Alpine cordials and syrups.

Within a decade, the Hugo Spritz became a staple across German-speaking Europe and northern Italy, particularly in summer aperitivo culture, before spreading to bars in the UK, Australia and the United States as spritz culture expanded globally.

How Do You Pronounce Hugo Spritz?

Straightforward: “HOO-go SPRITS”. The name comes directly from the German first name Hugo, not from an acronym or Italian word.

What Does a Hugo Spritz Taste Like?

Expect a delicate, floral sweetness from elderflower, cut through with bright lime acidity and a cooling herbal lift from fresh mint. The sparkling wine, or sparkling alternative, adds effervescence and a dry backbone, while soda water keeps the whole drink light rather than syrupy.

It is less bitter and less citrus-forward than many other spritz styles, making it especially approachable for newcomers to aperitivo drinking.

Core Ingredients at a Glance

• Elderflower cordial or syrup: the signature flavour.
• Sparkling wine: traditionally Prosecco, providing the effervescent base.
• Soda water: lightens and lengthens the drink.
• Fresh mint: adds a fresh herbal aroma.
• Fresh lime: provides acidity and brightness.
• Ice: the drink should be served long and cold in a large glass.

Hugo Spritz vs. the Classic Orange Spritz: What Is the Difference?

Both drinks belong to the same aperitivo family, built on sparkling wine and soda water in a large wine glass over ice. The difference comes down to the flavouring ingredient and the resulting profile.

Both are traditionally served as pre-dinner aperitivo drinks, but the Hugo Spritz tends to appeal to those who prefer floral and herbal notes over bittersweet citrus.

How Do You Make a Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz?

This alcohol-free adaptation swaps traditional sparkling wine for Lyre’s Classico Sparkling, a non-alcoholic sparkling beverage crafted in the style of a dry sparkling wine aperitif, with crisp apple, pear and peach notes and a dry finish.

Lyre’s does not produce an elderflower product, so a separate elderflower cordial is required.

Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz Recipe

Yield:

1 cocktail

Preparation time:

3 minutes

Glassware:

Large wine glass or spritz glass

Ice:

Fill the glass generously with ice cubes

Ingredients

• 3 fl oz Lyre’s Classico Sparkling
• 1 fl oz elderflower cordial
• 1 fl oz soda water
• ½ fl oz fresh lime juice
• 4–6 fresh mint leaves
• Lime wheel and mint sprig, to garnish

Method

1. Fill a large wine glass with ice cubes.
2. Add the elderflower cordial and fresh lime juice.
3. Gently press the mint leaves between your fingers to release their aroma, then add them to the glass.
4. Top with Lyre’s Classico Sparkling, then finish with soda water.
5. Stir once, gently, to combine without losing the fizz.
6. Garnish with a lime wheel and fresh mint sprig, then serve immediately.

Substitutions

• No fresh mint? Basil offers a similar herbal lift.
• Prefer less sweetness? Reduce the elderflower cordial to ¾ fl oz and add extra soda water.
• No fresh lime? Fresh lemon juice works well, giving the drink a slightly sharper finish.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overfilling with cordial: too much elderflower cordial can make the drink cloying rather than refreshing.
• Skipping the ice: a Hugo Spritz should always be served long and cold, never neat or over minimal ice.
• Stirring too hard: vigorous stirring knocks out the sparkle. Stir once, gently.
• Adding soda too early: build the drink in order: cordial, lime, mint, sparkling base and then soda, to preserve the fizz.

What Food Pairs Well With a Hugo Spritz?

As an aperitivo-style drink, a Hugo Spritz is designed to open the appetite rather than compete with a heavy meal. Good pairings include:

• Light bruschetta with tomato and basil
• Soft cheeses such as burrata or fresh mozzarella
• Prosciutto and melon
• Marinated olives and almonds
• Grilled shrimp skewers with lime

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Hugo Spritz made of?

A traditional Hugo Spritz is made with elderflower cordial, sparkling wine, soda water, fresh mint and lime, served over ice in a large wine glass.

Is a Hugo Spritz sweet?

It has a light floral sweetness from the elderflower, balanced by lime acidity and diluted by soda water, so it tastes refreshing rather than heavily sweet.

How much alcohol is in a traditional Hugo Spritz?

Because it is built on sparkling wine and diluted with soda water, a traditional Hugo Spritz typically falls within the range of 8–10% ABV, although this varies according to the recipe proportions.

Can you make a Hugo Spritz without alcohol?

Yes. Replacing the sparkling wine with a non-alcoholic sparkling alternative such as Lyre’s Classico, while retaining the elderflower, mint, lime and soda water, produces a close alcohol-free version of the drink.

What glass should a Hugo Spritz be served in?

A large wine glass or dedicated spritz glass is traditional, allowing plenty of room for ice and garnish.

Is a Hugo Spritz the same as an orange spritz?

No. They share the same sparkling wine and soda water base, but a Hugo Spritz uses elderflower for a floral profile, while the classic orange spritz uses a bitter orange liqueur for a bittersweet citrus profile.

Where did the Hugo Spritz originate?

It originated in South Tyrol, the alpine, German-influenced region of northern Italy, and is credited to bartender Roland Gruber in the mid-2000s.

Bring the Hugo Spritz to Your Own Table

Whether you are recreating the South Tyrol original or building a floral, alcohol-free version for a summer gathering, the spritz format rewards good ingredients and a light hand. If you would like to try the non-alcoholic route, Lyre’s Classico Sparkling offers a dry, crisp sparkling base worth having on hand for Hugo Spritz nights and beyond.

Sources

• Difford’s Guide, “Hugo Cocktail”
• Punch, “The Hugo Spritz Is the Aperol Spritz’s Floral Cousin”
• Lyre’s, “Classico Sparkling”