You have mint, lime and elderflower ready, but the Prosecco shelf offers several labels that sound confusingly similar. For a Hugo spritz, I would choose a chilled Brut Spumante: its lively bubbles and drier taste give the floral liqueur room to shine without making the glass too sweet.
Choose Brut Spumante Prosecco, then add elderflower, mint, lime and a splash of soda.
The word “Extra Dry” can mislead shoppers. On the Prosecco DOC sweetness guide, Extra Dry has more residual sugar than Brut. That does not make it a bad bottle; it simply changes the balance when elderflower liqueur joins it. Choose Brut when you want a crisp finish and Extra Dry when you prefer a softer, sweeter spritz.
Spumante is the fully sparkling style, so it keeps the drink bright even after ice and a little soda go into the glass. The recipe below uses four fluid ounces of Prosecco per serving, half an ounce of elderflower liqueur, and an ounce of soda. Build it directly in a large wine glass. There is no shaker, and there is no need to bruise the mint into tiny bitter pieces.
Serving suggestions
Chill the bottle and club soda before guests arrive, then fill glasses with fresh ice when it is time to pour. The cold ingredients preserve the bubbles and keep dilution gradual. Clap each mint sprig lightly between your palms to release aroma, tuck it near the rim and let the lime slice show through the glass.
- Serve alongside salty olives, toasted nuts or a simple tomato bruschetta.
- Use large wine glasses so the mint and lime have room without crowding the ice.
- Set a small carafe of soda nearby for guests who want a lighter, less wine-forward glass.
I prefer a gentle single stir after the soda goes in. Stirring hard or leaving a finished glass to wait on the counter costs you the delicate fizz that makes this drink feel fresh. Pour right before serving and keep the open Prosecco cold between rounds.
Cold ingredients, fresh ice and a gentle stir keep the Hugo spritz lively.
Variations
A Hugo is easy to adjust once you know what each part contributes: Prosecco brings fruit and bubbles, elderflower adds floral sweetness, soda lengthens the drink, and mint and lime lift the aroma. Change one piece first, then taste before changing another.
- For a sweeter glass, use Extra Dry Prosecco but keep the elderflower measure small.
- For a drier drink, use Brut and add a little more soda instead of more liqueur.
- For an alcohol-free version, use sparkling white grape juice, elderflower cordial and soda; start with less cordial because it can be sweet.
Fresh lemon can replace lime, though it gives a softer citrus note. Elderflower syrup can also replace liqueur, but it changes both sweetness and alcohol content, so begin with a small pour. The classic Hugo style has more than one accepted ratio; the point is a clean balance, not a rigid number.
Adjust the sweetness first, then the soda; keep the mint and citrus fresh.
Health benefits
This is an alcoholic cocktail, not a health drink. Mint and lime make it aromatic and refreshing, but they do not cancel the alcohol or the sugar in wine and elderflower liqueur. A measured pour makes the strength and sweetness easier to understand than a freehand fill.
Offer a clearly labeled alcohol-free glass for anyone who wants one, and use separate tools when serving both versions. The nutrition estimate in the recipe card is approximate because wine and liqueur brands vary. If you are comparing labels, the Prosecco styles page explains the sweetness terms without relying on their everyday English meanings.
Enjoy a measured adult serving, or choose the sparkling alcohol-free variation.
The bottle that makes it sing
When you pour Brut Spumante over ice and catch the mint aroma above the glass, the reason for the choice becomes clear: the wine stays crisp while elderflower supplies the soft floral note. Check that each glass has enough ice to stay cold without packing it so tightly the mint disappears. Keep the recipe card close for the two-glass measurements, set out the lime, and pour only when everyone is ready. That little moment of fresh bubbles is the whole pleasure of a Hugo spritz.
Prosecco for Hugo Spritz Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 fluid ounces chilled Brut Spumante Prosecco
- 1 fluid ounce elderflower liqueur
- 2 fluid ounces chilled club soda
- 4 sprigs fresh mint
- 4 thin slices lime
- 2 cups ice cubes
Equipment
- Two large wine glasses
- Measuring jigger or tablespoon
- Long spoon
Instructions
- Fill two large wine glasses with ice. Lightly clap the mint sprigs between your hands and add two sprigs and two lime slices to each glass.
- Pour 1/2 fluid ounce elderflower liqueur into each glass.
- Pour 4 fluid ounces chilled Brut Prosecco and 1 fluid ounce chilled club soda into each glass. Stir once gently to combine without flattening the bubbles.
- Serve immediately while the drink is cold and sparkling.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it turned out!Emily Parker is DISHORA’s recipe-writing persona, bringing a warm, practical voice to everyday cooking. Her focus is simple ingredients, comforting flavors and clear steps that make a dish feel approachable. From cozy dinners to something sweet, Emily’s recipes invite readers to try something delicious and make it their own.