While the Aperol spritz might have been the hot cocktail of recent summers past, this year is all about the Hugo. This lesser-known Italian cocktail features prosecco, elderflower syrup, and soda water. It’s just as bright and bubbly as an Aperol spritz, and arguably even more refreshing, thanks to muddled mint leaves and a lime wheel garnish.
It wasn’t until my last trip to Italy this past summer that I saw the Hugo on cocktail menus all over the boot. That’s likely because it’s a fairly new addition to the roster of classic Italian cocktails. It was invented in 2005 by Roland Gruder in a bar in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige, also known as South Tyrol. This area of Northern Italy, which borders Austria, contains part of the Italian alps, where elderflowers bloom abundantly in the spring and early summer.
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Combining elderflower cordial or syrup with prosecco, soda water, and mint makes for a light and floral cocktail that feels right at home this time of year. While elderflower cordial or syrup is tradition (Belvoir Farms is a popular brand), if you have trouble finding it, St. Germain or another brand of elderflower liqueur can be used instead.
If you do pick up a bottle of elderflower cordial or syrup, it’s a wonderful ingredient to play around with in both other cocktails and beyond. Try brushing it on cakes, tossing a bit with fruit salad, or combining it with seltzer for an easy mocktail.
Enjoy a fresh and floral Italian cocktail featuring elderflower syrup, prosecco and soda water.
Hugo Cocktail
- 2 sprigs fresh mint, divided
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) elderflower cordial or syrup
- 4 ounces (8 tablespoons) chilled prosecco or other dry sparkling wine
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) chilled club soda, seltzer, or sparkling water
- Ice
- 1 lime wheel
1. Pick the leaves from 1 fresh mint sprig and place in a wine glass. Add 1/2 ounce elderflower cordial or syrup and muddle gently with a muddler or wooden spoon to lightly bruise the mint leaves and release their oils.
2. Add 4 ounces prosecco and 2 ounces club soda. Top with ice. Gently stir to combine. Garnish with 1 lime wheel and the remaining mint sprig.
Recipe note: You can substitute 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur, such as St. Germain, in place of the elderflower cordial or syrup.
(Sheela Prakash is a senior contributing food editor for TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to [email protected].)