This Botanical Spritz Is the Drink of the Summer
Don’t be surprised to see everyone sipping on this spritz.
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On a trip to Paris in the spring of 2017, I sat outside on an unseasonably warm day and sipped on the perfect spritz. A blend of St-Germain elderflower liquor, sparkling wine, and sparkling water, it was easily the best cocktail I’d ever ordered. Fast forward eight years, and I’m now prepared to call this magical concoction the drink of the summer. If you haven’t already met, I’d love to introduce you to the refreshing, botanically wonderful Hugo spritz.
Even nine years ago, I was late to the trend. Roland Gruber, a bartender in northern Italy, is credited for developing the spritz back in 2005. The name derives from “Hugo,” a type of elderflower syrup, which delivers a subtle sweetness courtesy of white elderflowers, lychee, and pear. Combined with fizzy wine and water, it’ll quickly become your go-to—this summer, or year-round.
I like to think of it as the little black dress of the bar menu: It can take you from a boozy afternoon brunch to dining alfresco, and it’s sure to become a staple. Much less bitter than its more famous orange-accented sibling made with Aperol, the Hugo offers a lighter, slightly more approachable flavor profile. Here’s how to make it, according to the St-Germain website:
Hugo Spritz Recipe
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Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz St-Germain
- 2 oz. sparkling wine
- 2 oz. sparkling water
- Lime wedge for garnish
- Mint sprig for garnish
Directions:
- Fill your glass with ice cubes.
- Pour sparkling wine and sparkling water over ice.
- Add St‑Germain elderflower liqueur.
- Gently stir.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.
Though it’s a longtime favorite among Europeans, the Hugo spritz has been gaining traction across the U.S., popping up on bar menus and TikTok For You pages. Just a few days ago, actress Sophie Turner appeared in another advertisement for St-Germain—her third to date—asking for four “St-Germain Spritzes” at a beachfront bar.
So now that it’s been hurled into the cultural zeitgeist, is the Hugo spritz officially basic? Perhaps. But the most delicious drink I’ve ever had? Absolutely.
