How to Make a Hugo Spritz: The Perfect Summer Cocktail and Party Station

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Light, refreshing and filled with fresh summer flavours, the Hugo Spritz is the perfect cocktail for garden parties, bridal showers, birthdays, girls’ nights and relaxed summer gatherings. Made with elderflower liqueur, prosecco, soda water, lime and fresh mint, this easy Hugo Spritz recipe feels elegant without requiring complicated ingredients or cocktail-making skills.

You can prepare individual glasses for your guests or turn the recipe into a beautiful Hugo Spritz station where everyone can build their own drink. You can even include an alcohol-free Hugo Spritz mocktail so every guest can join in.

What Is a Hugo Spritz?

A Hugo Spritz is a light and floral sparkling cocktail traditionally made with elderflower liqueur, prosecco, soda water, mint and lime.

It has the bubbly feel of an Aperol Spritz but with a sweeter, more delicate elderflower flavour. The combination of fragrant mint, sharp citrus and sparkling prosecco makes it especially refreshing during warmer weather.

It is also incredibly easy to customise, making it a brilliant signature drink for parties and celebrations.

Hugo Spritz Recipe for a Party

For approximately eight drinks, you will need:

• 240 ml elderflower liqueur
• 1 bottle of prosecco
• 250 to 500 ml soda water
• 2 to 3 limes
• 2 bunches of fresh mint
• Plenty of ice

Rather than mixing everything in advance, keep the prosecco and soda water chilled and allow guests to assemble their drinks when they are ready. This prevents the cocktail from losing its sparkle.

How to Create a Hugo Spritz Station

A self-serve Hugo Spritz station is one of the easiest ways to make your drinks table feel like a special part of the party. It works beautifully for a summer birthday, garden party, bridal shower, engagement celebration, girls’ night or bachelorette weekend.

Guests can follow the basic recipe while adding their favourite fruits and garnishes.

Choose Your Drinks Table

Set up the station on a bar cart, kitchen counter, console table or small outdoor table.

Place the glasses at one end, followed by the ice, drink ingredients, fruit and garnishes. This creates a simple order for guests to follow as they move along the station.

Keep the prosecco, soda water and alcohol-free alternatives in an ice bucket or drinks cooler.

What to Include

Add the following essentials to your Hugo Spritz bar:

• Large wine glasses or stemless glasses
• Ice cubes
• Elderflower liqueur
• Chilled prosecco
• Chilled soda water
• Fresh mint
• Lime slices
• A cocktail spoon or stirrer
• Reusable or paper straws
• Napkins
• An ice bucket and scoop

Place a small recipe sign beside the ingredients showing guests how much of each drink to add.

Add a Fruit Garnish Bar

Although lime and mint are the classic additions, a colourful selection of fruit will make the station look even more inviting.

Try including:

• Lime wheels
• Lemon slices
• Grapefruit slices
• Fresh strawberries
• Raspberries
• Cucumber ribbons
• Orange slices
• Frozen grapes
• Edible flowers

Arrange the garnishes in small bowls or on a chilled serving tray. Label each ingredient with small cards to create a polished party display.

Simple Hugo Spritz Station Instructions

Display these instructions beside the station:

1. Fill your glass with ice.
2. Add 30 ml elderflower liqueur.
3. Pour in 120 ml prosecco.
4. Top with soda water.
5. Add mint, lime and your favourite fruit.
6. Stir gently and enjoy.

Hugo Spritz Mocktail Recipe

Create an alcohol-free option by replacing the elderflower liqueur and prosecco with elderflower cordial and alcohol-free sparkling wine.

Ingredients

This recipe makes one alcohol-free Hugo Spritz.

• 20 ml elderflower cordial
• 120 ml alcohol-free sparkling wine
• 30 to 60 ml soda water
• 2 fresh lime slices
• 6 to 8 fresh mint leaves
• Ice cubes
• Fresh fruit for garnishing

How to Make an Alcohol-Free Hugo Spritz

1. Fill a large wine glass with ice.
2. Add the fresh mint leaves and lime slices.
3. Pour in the elderflower cordial.
4. Add the alcohol-free sparkling wine.
5. Top with soda water and stir gently.
6. Garnish with mint, lime or fresh strawberries.

For a completely alcohol-free drink, check the label on the sparkling wine and choose a product clearly marked as 0.0%.

Easy Hugo Spritz Mocktail Without Alcohol-Free Wine

You can still make a refreshing Hugo-inspired mocktail without sparkling wine.

Combine:

• 20 ml elderflower cordial
• 100 ml sparkling water
• 100 ml alcohol-free tonic water or lemonade
• Fresh mint
• Lime slices
• Ice

Sparkling water creates a light and refreshing version, while lemonade produces a sweeter drink. Alcohol-free tonic water gives it a slightly more grown-up, bittersweet finish.

How to Add Mocktails to Your Hugo Spritz Station

Create two clearly labelled sections so guests can easily distinguish between the cocktail and mocktail ingredients.

For the alcohol-free section, provide:

• Elderflower cordial
• 0.0% sparkling wine
• Soda water
• Lemonade
• Alcohol-free tonic water
• Mint
• Citrus slices
• Fresh berries

Use separate bottles, jugs and measuring tools for the mocktail station. A small “Hugo Spritz Mocktail” sign will help guests find the alcohol-free option without needing to ask.

Hugo Spritz Variations to Try

Once you have mastered the original recipe, experiment with different fruits and flavours.

Strawberry Hugo Spritz

Add two sliced strawberries to the glass and gently muddle them before adding the remaining ingredients.

Raspberry Hugo Spritz

Add a handful of raspberries for a colourful cocktail with a slightly tart flavour.

Cucumber Hugo Spritz

Add cucumber ribbons or thin cucumber slices for a crisp, refreshing finish.

Grapefruit Hugo Spritz

Replace one of the lime slices with fresh grapefruit and garnish with a small grapefruit wedge.

Lemon Hugo Spritz

Use fresh lemon slices instead of lime for a brighter citrus flavour.

Rosé Hugo Spritz

Replace traditional prosecco with sparkling rosé for a pretty pink version that is perfect for bridal showers and girls’ nights.

Tips for Serving the Perfect Hugo Spritz

Chill Everything First

The prosecco, soda water and elderflower liqueur should all be cold before the party begins. This helps the ice melt more slowly and keeps each drink refreshing.

Use Plenty of Ice

Fill the glass generously with ice rather than adding only one or two cubes. A full glass of ice stays colder for longer and prevents the drink from becoming watery too quickly.

Do Not Crush the Mint

Gently clap or press the mint leaves to release their fragrance. Crushing or heavily muddling them can make the drink taste bitter.

Open the Prosecco at the Last Minute

Wait until guests arrive before opening the prosecco. Keep additional bottles chilled and only open them when needed.

Prepare Garnishes in Advance

Wash and slice the fruit before the party, then store everything in sealed containers in the fridge. Add the garnishes to the drinks station shortly before guests arrive.

Offer a Sweeter Option

Some guests may prefer a sweeter Hugo Spritz. Place a bottle of lemonade or a small jug of extra elderflower cordial on the station so they can adjust their drink.

What Food Goes With a Hugo Spritz?

The floral and citrus flavours of a Hugo Spritz pair beautifully with fresh, light party food.

Serve it with:

• Cheese and charcuterie boards
• Bruschetta
• Olives and antipasti
• Smoked salmon crostini
• Caprese skewers
• Mini sandwiches
• Fresh fruit platters
• Lemon and herb chicken skewers
• Crisps and dips
• Strawberry desserts
• Lemon cake
• Macarons

For a relaxed gathering, create a grazing table with cheeses, cured meats, crackers, fresh fruit and small savoury bites.

Hugo Spritz Station Styling Ideas

Use clear glass bowls and white serving dishes to allow the colourful fruit and mint to become part of the decoration.

Decorate the station with:

• Small vases of fresh flowers
• Citrus fruit arranged around the bottles
• A handwritten recipe sign
• Striped or floral napkins
• Glass jars filled with paper straws
• A small framed “Build Your Own Hugo Spritz” sign
• Wooden boards for fruit and garnishes
• An ice bucket filled with prosecco and soda water

For a Mediterranean-inspired party, use lemons, blue and white tableware and fresh herbs. For a romantic garden party, add pastel flowers, blush napkins and edible flower garnishes.

Make It a Signature Party Drink

A Hugo Spritz is easy to rename to match your celebration. Give your cocktail a custom name inspired by the guest of honour, party theme or location.

Ideas include:

• The Bride’s Hugo
• Mint to Be
• Happily Ever After Spritz
• Garden Party Spritz
• The Summer Social
• Elderflower Fizz
• The Birthday Bloom
• Love at First Spritz
• The Girls’ Night Garden
• Sip Sip Hooray

Final Thoughts

A Hugo Spritz is a simple but beautiful cocktail that instantly makes a summer gathering feel more special. With sparkling prosecco, fragrant elderflower, fresh mint and citrus, it is refreshing enough for warm afternoons but elegant enough for celebrations.

Creating a self-serve Hugo Spritz station allows guests to customise their drinks with fresh fruits and garnishes while giving you more time to enjoy the party. Add an alcohol-free Hugo Spritz mocktail section and you will have an inclusive drinks experience that everyone can enjoy.

Whether you are hosting a garden party, girls’ night, birthday celebration, bridal shower or summer bachelorette party, this easy Hugo Spritz recipe deserves a place on your drinks menu.