Hugo Spritz Variations: From the Gin Hugo to the Virgin Serve

Who knew elderflower had such a social life? Born in 2005 in South Tyrol, where Italian aperitivo culture meets the German-speaking Alpine world, the Hugo has travelled well beyond its mountain roots, picking up admirers and a few new ingredients along the way.

But the classic is just the beginning. From gin-spiked versions to blushing berries and unexpected autumnal twists, these Hugo Spritz variations give the Alpine original plenty of new places to go.

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The classic Hugo Spritz, in short

Before we start experimenting, here’s a little reminder of what makes a Hugo a Hugo. The classic combines Prosecco, elderflower liqueur, syrup or cordial, soda water, fresh mint and lime, served over plenty of ice. Easy to understand the hype, right?

It’s a wonderfully simple combination, with the elderflower bringing sweetness, the lime adding a citrusy kick and the bubbles keeping everything light. Find the full measurements and method in our Hugo Spritz cocktail recipe.

Gin Hugo: the variation everyone is asking about

Does a Hugo Spritz have gin? Not traditionally, but adding gin gives the classic botanical depth and a little extra kick. It’s an easy upgrade for anyone who loves the original but fancies something with a bit more backbone.

Bulldog London Dry Gin (opens in new window) brings citrus, lavender and subtle spice notes that play nicely with the elderflower and mint, giving the cocktail a more aromatic character. Bickens Gin (opens in new window), with its juniper-led profile and bright citrus notes, takes things in a crisper, more classic gin direction. Try both, and decide for yourself what’s the best gin for a Hugo Spritz.

Ingredients

• 15 ml London Dry Gin (Bulldog or Bickens)
• 150 ml Prosecco
• 14 ml Elderflower liqueur or syrup
• 30 ml Soda water
• 3–4 Fresh mint leaves
• 1 Lime wedge
• Ice

Method

1. Add bruised mint to the bottom of a large wine glass
2. Pour in the elderflower liqueur (or syrup) and gin, give it a stir and leave to infuse with the mint for a couple of minutes 
3. Add ice, then pour in the Prosecco and top it off with soda, giving it one more light stir 
4. Garnish with an extra sprig of mint, and a slice of lime then serve

Virgin Hugo: the mocktail version

A good spritz doesn’t necessarily need alcohol to keep its charm. With elderflower cordial, fresh lime, mint and a generous pour of something sparkling, the Hugo Spritz mocktail earns its place at the aperitivo table.

Alcohol-free sparkling wine is the closest match to the original, but sparkling water works beautifully if you’re after something lighter.

Ingredients

• 30 ml Elderflower cordial
• 90 ml Alcohol-free sparkling wine
• 30 ml Sparkling water
• 4–5 Fresh mint leaves
• 2 Lime slices
• Ice

Method

1. Fill a large wine glass with ice and add the elderflower cordial
2. Add the lime slices and mint, gently clapping the leaves between your palms first to release their aroma
3. Pour in the alcohol-free sparkling wine and sparkling water
4. Give everything a gentle stir and serve

Keep the ideas bubbling: Discover More Non-Alcoholic Spritzer Recipes

Rosé Hugo

Same Alpine roots, slightly rosier outlook. The Rosé Hugo Spritz replaces Prosecco with sparkling rosé – hence the delicate pink hue and subtle red-fruit notes. A dry rosé works particularly well, balancing the sweetness of the elderflower. It’s an easy switch that changes the vibe of the drink without losing its original character.

Ingredients

• 120 ml Sparkling rosé wine
• 15 ml Elderflower liqueur or syrup
• 30 ml Soda water
• 4 Fresh mint leaves
• 2 Lime slices
• Ice

Method

1. Fill a wine glass with ice and add the elderflower liqueur or syrup
2. Add the lime slices and mint
3. Pour in the sparkling rosé and soda water
4. Stir gently and garnish with an extra sprig of mint

Strawberry Hugo

Strawberries and elderflower are old friends, and a Strawberry Hugo Spritz gives them another excuse to get together. Fresh strawberries bring a juicy sweetness and a hint of colour, while a little strawberry syrup is a handy shortcut when the fruit isn’t at its best.

Ingredients

• 120 ml Prosecco
• 15 ml Elderflower liqueur or syrup
• 2–3 Fresh strawberries, sliced, or 0.25 oz Strawberry syrup
• 30 ml Soda water
• 3–4 Fresh mint leaves
• 1 Lime wedge 
• Ice

Method

1. Lightly muddle the strawberries in the bottom of a large wine glass (or add the syrup)
2. Add the elderflower liqueur or syrup and squeeze in the lime wedge
3. Fill the glass with ice and add the mint
4. Pour in the Prosecco and soda water
5. Stir gently and garnish with a strawberry slice (optional)
   

   TIP: Borrow the sparkling rosé from the previous recipe for a double-berry version.

   Raspberry Hugo

Raspberries have a little more bite than strawberries, which makes them another excellent choice. Their tartness keeps a Raspberry Hugo Spritz from leaning too sweet, while their colour turns it into something rather eye-catching.

Ingredients

• 120 ml Prosecco
• 15 ml Elderflower liqueur or syrup
• 4–5 Fresh raspberries
• 30 ml Soda water
• 3–4 Fresh mint leaves
• 1 Lime wedge
• Ice

Method

1. Gently muddle the raspberries with the elderflower liqueur or syrup in a wine glass
2. Squeeze in the lime wedge and add ice
3. Pour in the Prosecco and soda water
4. Add the mint and stir gently
5. Garnish with a couple of whole raspberries

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Lemon or lime? The citrus question

When life gives you lemons, should you put them in a Hugo? You certainly can, although lime is the traditional choice.

Lime’s sharper acidity cuts through the sweetness of elderflower, with a slightly bitter citrus edge that keeps the cocktail lively. Lemon takes things in a gentler direction. A lemon Hugo Spritz has a softer citrus character, particularly when you use slices rather than a generous squeeze of juice.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, give the Cucumber Lime Hugo Spritz a go. Add three thin cucumber ribbons to the classic build, along with the usual lime and mint. The result is crisp, subtly vegetal and about as close as a cocktail can get to a spa day. Robe optional.

Spicy Hugo

Elderflower might seem too delicate for a little heat, but that’s exactly what makes a Spicy Hugo Spritz interesting. A thin slice of fresh chilli brings a sharp contrast to the floral sweetness, while ginger offers a warmer, more aromatic alternative.

Ingredients

• 120 ml Prosecco
• 15 ml Elderflower liqueur or syrup
• 30 ml Soda water
• 1 Thin slice of fresh chilli or 2 slices of fresh ginger
• 3–4 Fresh mint leaves
• 1 Lime wedge
• Ice

Method

1. Add the chilli or ginger to a large wine glass with the elderflower liqueur or syrup
2. Gently press to release some of the spice
3. Squeeze in the lime wedge and fill the glass with ice
4. Add the mint, Prosecco, and soda
5. Stir gently and garnish with fresh mint
   

   Start with just one thin slice of chili, especially if you’re using a fiery variety. The heat can build quickly, and you don’t want your first sip to turn into a dare.

Apple Hugo

The Apple Hugo takes the Alpine original for an autumn stroll, adding cloudy apple juice for a mellow, orchard-fruit flavour that feels right at home when the temperatures drop.

Ingredients

• 90 ml Prosecco
• 30 ml Cloudy apple juice
• 15 ml Elderflower liqueur or syrup
• 30 ml Soda water
• 3–4 Fresh mint leaves
• 1 Lime wedge
• 1 Thin apple slice
• Ice

Method

1. Fill a large wine glass with ice
2. Add the cloudy apple juice and elderflower liqueur or syrup
3. Squeeze in the lime wedge and add the mint
4. Pour in the Prosecco and soda
5. Stir gently and garnish with a thin apple slice
   

   You can also swap the apple juice for 7.5–15 ml of apple syrup if you prefer a sweeter, more concentrated flavour. For an extra autumnal touch, add a cinnamon stick as a garnish. It’ll bring a gentle spiced aroma without turning your spritz into apple pie.

Sambuca Hugo

Now for the wildcard. Sambuca brings its unmistakable anise flavour to the Hugo Spritz cocktail, creating a combination that might divide the room. But if you’re partial to liquorice notes, this unusual pairing is worth a try. Start with just a touch of sambuca and taste before adding more. You’re after a hint of anise, not a takeover.

Ingredients

• 120 ml Prosecco
• 7.5 m Sambuca
• 7.5 ml Elderflower syrup
• 30 ml Soda water
• 3–4 Fresh mint leaves
• 1 Lime wedge
• Ice

Method

1. Fill a large wine glass with ice
2. Add the sambuca and elderflower syrup
3. Squeeze in the lime wedge and add the mint
4. Pour in the Prosecco and soda
5. Stir gently and garnish with fresh mint

Build your own Hugo variation

By now, you’ve probably realized the Hugo is a pretty accommodating cocktail. Give it a new fruit, a different herb, or a splash of something unexpected, and it’ll usually play along.

The easiest way to experiment is to start with a simple base recipe, then introduce one new flavour at a time. Here’s a handy formula:

• 120 ml Sparkling wine: Prosecco, sparkling rosé, or an alcohol-free alternative
• 15 ml Elderflower liqueur, syrup or cordial: adjust to taste, as sweetness and alcohol content vary
• 30 ml Soda water: to keep things light and bubbly
• One twist: fresh fruit, herbs, a little spice, or a measure of spirit
• Fresh mint, citrus, and ice: the familiar finishing touches

Need a little creative nudge? Try peach slices with thyme for a late-summer spin, swap mint for basil to bring out the herbal side or add a tiny dash of lavender syrup for an extra floral flourish. Just go easy on the last one. You don’t want your cocktail to feel like a scented candle.

And if you’ve caught the spritz bug, there’s a whole bubbly world beyond the Hugo. Explore our spritz cocktails roundup for more ways to put those bubbles to good use.

The Hugo has come a long way. Got a little wanderlust of your own? Keep exploring The Mixer for more cocktail inspiration!