US searches for the Hugo Spritz are rising this summer. The drink usually combines elderflower, mint, lime, sparkling water and sparkling wine.
The classic version
Serve it very cold with plenty of ice and adjust sweetness to taste. Alcohol should always be consumed responsibly.
An alcohol-free option
Replace sparkling wine with a non-alcoholic sparkling drink and use elderflower syrup for a fresh, aromatic result.
Common Hugo Spritz ingredients
The usual combination includes sparkling wine, soda water, elderflower, mint, lime and ice. Exact ratios depend on how sweet you want the drink and whether you use syrup or liqueur.
How to make a balanced Hugo Spritz
Fill a large glass with ice, add a small amount of elderflower, then sparkling wine and a splash of soda water. Finish with mint leaves and a lime slice. Stir gently to preserve the bubbles.
How to keep it from becoming too sweet
Start with less syrup or liqueur. You can always add more, while an overly sweet drink is difficult to correct. Plain soda water and plenty of ice help keep the result light.
Alcohol-free version
Use alcohol-free sparkling wine or flavoured sparkling water, elderflower syrup, mint and lime. Check the label carefully if you need a completely alcohol-free drink.
Serving tips
Build each glass just before serving, keep ingredients chilled and provide water alongside the drink. Alcohol is for adults only and should always be consumed responsibly.
What ratios should you use?
A common starting point uses more sparkling wine than soda water, followed by a small amount of elderflower. There is no universal ratio, because syrup and liqueur vary considerably in sweetness and intensity.
Can you prepare a pitcher in advance?
Prepare the aromatic ingredients first, then add sparkling components immediately before serving. Otherwise the drink quickly becomes flat. Mint may also become bitter when crushed or left too long.
Which glass works best?
A large wine glass leaves room for ice and aromas. A smaller glass also works if the quantities are reduced and the glass is not overloaded.
Possible variations
Lemon can replace lime, while cucumber adds a fresher vegetal note. For a less sweet version, reduce the elderflower and increase the amount of soda water slightly.
Why is the recipe trending?
Its visual appearance, summery ingredients and simple preparation make it suitable for short videos and at-home recipe searches. Popularity does not change the need for responsible drinking.