Hugo Spritz Recipe: London's Spritz of the Summer
The Aperol Spritz had a good run. But this summer, London belongs to Hugo - the lighter, floral spritz that swaps bitter orange for elderflower, and tastes like an after-work drink in a sun trap somewhere you don't want to leave.
What is a Hugo Spritz?
The Hugo Spritz is a light, floral cocktail made with elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine, fresh sparkling water and mint, served over ice with lime. It was created in northern Italy in 2005 as a gentler alternative to the Aperol Spritz, and it has become one of the UK's most searched-for summer drinks. It's lower in bitterness, easier to drink, and dangerously easy to make at home.
You'll need
- Fresh sparkling water from The Bubbla
- 50ml Edmunds Elderflower Collins
- 75ml sparkling wine
- A large glass of ice
- Sprig of mint
- Wheel of lime
Serves 1.
Method
- Fill a large glass with ice.
- Pour in your Edmunds Elderflower Collins and sparkling wine.
- Top with fresh sparkling water from The Bubbla.
- Drop in a handful of mint and a slice of lime, and stir before drinking.
The order matters more than it looks - the sparkling water goes in last so the bubbles lift the drink rather than get flattened by it.
Make it yours
No Elderflower Collins to hand? A good elderflower liqueur or cordial with a squeeze of lemon gets you close. If you're making your own, our elderflower cordial recipe is the place to start. For a no-alcohol version, skip the sparkling wine, use elderflower cordial, and let The Bubbla carry the drink. Cucumber ribbons instead of lime work beautifully too.
If spritzes are your thing, our favourite sparkling water cocktails are worth a browse next.
FAQ
What is a Hugo Spritz made of?
A Hugo Spritz contains elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine, fresh sparkling water, mint and lime, served over ice. Our version uses 50ml Edmunds Elderflower Collins, 75ml sparkling wine and a generous top of sparkling water from The Bubbla.
What's the difference between a Hugo Spritz and an Aperol Spritz?
The Aperol Spritz is bitter and orange-led; the Hugo Spritz is floral and lighter, built on elderflower instead of Aperol. Both are topped with sparkling wine and sparkling water, but Hugo is the gentler, more refreshing of the two - which is why it's winning this summer.
Can you make a non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz?
Yes. Replace the sparkling wine and liqueur with elderflower cordial, top generously with fresh sparkling water from The Bubbla, and finish with mint and lime. You keep the flavour and the occasion without the alcohol.
What sparkling water works best in a spritz?
Freshly made sparkling water, used straight away. Carbonation fades from the moment a bottle is opened, so sparkling water made at home right before serving gives a livelier spritz than anything that's been sitting in a bottle - and with The Bubbla, you pull the lever and it's ready.
Does it matter which sparkling wine I use?
Traditionally it's prosecco, but any dry sparkling wine works well. The elderflower brings the sweetness, so drier styles keep the drink balanced.
Win the whole kit
We're giving away a Bubbla spritz giftbox on Instagram - everything in our summer send-out, so you can make London's spritz of the summer at home. Head to @co2yousocial to enter, and stick around for the after-work pour you'll want to recreate immediately.
Make it at home with CO2 YOU
