How to Make a Hugo Spritz (The Iconic Elderflower Cocktail)

Looking for a light, refreshing cocktail that feels just a little fancy? The Hugo Spritz adds a touch of European elegance to your summer with almost no effort at all. Also known as a St-Germain Spritz, this warm-weather favorite has been sipped in Northern Italy for nearly two decades, prized for its bright, crisp flavor, lovely floral notes, and ease.

As a former bartender, fancy cocktail enthusiast, and seasoned hostess, I've made dozens of spritz variations--but this one? This is the one that gets requested again and again.

All it takes is a bottle of prosecco, a splash of St-Germain elderflower liqueur, and a bit of club soda. Add fresh mint and a wedge of lime or lemon for a bright, aromatic finish. In under two minutes, you've got an elderflower cocktail for spring brunches, summer evenings, and everything in between.

Speaking of prosecco, this cocktail would fit right in on a mimosa bar with cranberry mimosas or white wine sangria.

How to Make a Hugo Spritz

Have ready a large wine glass. Then, add ice, pour in chilled prosecco, followed by St-Germain, and chilled soda water.

Stir and garnish with mint and a lemon wheel or wedge. You'll find the recipe card below, but keep scrolling for serving suggestions.

What's In a Hugo Spritz?

Prosecco | The signature sparkling wine of Italy--of course, is the star of the Italian-born Hugo spritz. Its mix of floral and fruity notes that pairs perfectly with elderflower liqueur.

St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur | A sweet and bright floral liqueur-- it's wonderfully crisp and botanical. When mixed with prosecco, this summer aperitif has notes of sweet honey for a delightfully flavored summer drink.

Soda Water | Not only great for adding extra effervescence to the prosecco cocktail, but soda water also adds balance. It keeps the drink feeling light, crisp, and not overpowering, while also making room to stretch the cocktail a little further without adding more alcohol. It's part of what makes the Hugo spritz ideal for brunch and afternoon sipping.

Ice | Spritz cocktails are served over ice, so be sure you have the ice bucket on standby.

Lemon | It can be used solely as a garnish, but we're never opposed to a fresh squeeze of lemon in a summer cocktail, especially when combined with prosecco and St-Germain. It will brighten up this summer elderflower cocktail instantly. If you don't have a lemon, use lime. For another fruity cocktail that's perfect for spring and summer months, the blueberry cocktail fits that bill spot on.

Mint | This herb adds gorgeous color and scent to summer aperitifs. To release the oils (where so much flavor and scent come from), slap the mint leaves in your palm before placing in the glass. This makes the mint intoxicatingly aromatic. Note, don't buy the mint too far in advance; it's prone to wilting. If you can't find mint, basil is a nice substitute. Our strawberry basil cocktail is a prime example.

What to Serve with Elderflower Spritz

The Hugo spritz is perfect for serving at spring or summer brunches, Mother's Day, alfresco lunches, and, of course, poolside. Below you'll find options to build out your perfect menu.

Light Bites + Appetizers

• Burrata Salad | Both this salad and the Hugo spritz are light, summery, and best served chilled, making them ideal for warm-weather dining. Neither overpowers the other, either—perfect for an elegant appetizer + aperitivo moment.
• Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus | The saltiness of the prosciutto is perfectly balanced by the subtle sweetness of the elderflower liqueur in the Hugo spritz. They are a seasonal match made in heaven—popular spring or early summer fare—making them ideal for brunches, garden parties, or patio dinners.
• Goat Cheese + Honey Crostinis | This duo served together strikes a perfect balance between creamy richness and bright, fresh flavors, complementing the cocktail’s light, floral profile.
• Cucumber Tea Sandwiches | The cucumber’s crisp, clean flavor mirrors the mint and floral notes of the Hugo spritz, making the pairing feel light and cohesive. They share a similar refreshing, herby flavor profile that's perfect for spring and summer months.
• Charcuterie Board | Our simple charcuterie board is a go-to pairing for a Hugo spritz cocktail! The board’s variety of savory, creamy, salty, and sweet bites is beautifully balanced by the Hugo’s crispness, floral notes, and bubbles.

Dips + Small Plates

• Lox Spread | This brunchy go-to pairs beautifully with a bubbly Hugo spritz because the cocktail’s light and floral character is the perfect complement to the spread’s rich, savory, and slightly briny flavors.
• Shrimp Cocktail | For an effortlessly elegant appetizer-cocktail duo, the refreshing shrimp cocktail is a perfect complement to the lightness of a Hugo spritz cocktail. You won't find them overpowering each other here!
• Dill Dip | The dip’s fresh dill and the cocktail’s mint and elderflower create an herb-forward, garden-inspired flavor experience that’s cohesive and aromatic.
• Caramelized Onion Dip | French onion dip pairs surprisingly well with a Hugo spritz, because the cocktail’s light, floral, and bubbly nature cuts through the dip’s rich, savory depth, creating a refreshing, balanced contrast that elevates both elements.

Light Desserts

• Strawberry Trifle | I can't think of a more beautiful pairing! Both are light, refreshing, and subtly sweet, creating a harmonious dessert and cocktail combo that feels elegant, celebratory, and perfect for spring or summer.
• Blueberry Bars | The natural tartness of the blueberries enhances the subtle sweetness of the Hugo spritz, creating a perfect balance between rich and refreshing.
• Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies | Both the cookies and the spritz feature fruit-forward flavors—strawberry in the cookies and elderflower in the spritz—creating a complementary fruitiness that ties the two together.