Looking for a festive drink that’s light, bubbly and easy to make? The Cranberry Hugo Spritz is a holiday twist on one of Europe’s favourite summer cocktails. It combines floral elderflower, crisp prosecco, tart cranberry and fresh mint for a sparkling sip that looks beautiful in the glass and tastes even better. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, a cozy dinner or a New Year’s Eve celebration, this spritz is sure to impress your guests.

What Is a Hugo Spritz?

The Hugo Spritz was created in South Tyrol, in northern Italy, in the mid-2000s, and it quickly became a popular alternative to the classic Aperol Spritz. Instead of bitter orange liqueur, it uses elderflower syrup or liqueur, topped with prosecco, soda water, fresh mint and lime. The result is lighter, sweeter and more floral. This holiday version adds cranberry juice and fresh cranberries for a beautiful ruby colour and a tart, festive flavour.

Ingredients

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Makes: 1 drink
Prep time: 5 minutes

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  • 30 ml (1 oz) elderflower liqueur, such as St-Germain, or 15 to 20 ml elderflower syrup
  • 30 ml (1 oz) unsweetened or 100% cranberry juice
  • 90 to 120 ml (3 to 4 oz) chilled prosecco
  • 30 to 60 ml (1 to 2 oz) chilled soda water
  • 6 to 8 fresh mint leaves
  • 1 lime wedge
  • Ice cubes

For garnish:

  • A handful of fresh or frozen cranberries
  • A small sprig of fresh rosemary
  • A thin lime wheel

How to Make It

  1. Release the mint. Place the mint leaves in a large wine glass and press them gently with a spoon to release their aroma. Don’t crush them too hard, or they can turn bitter.
  2. Add the base. Pour in the elderflower liqueur or syrup and the cranberry juice, then squeeze in the lime wedge.
  3. Add ice. Fill the glass about two-thirds full with ice.
  4. Top with bubbles. Slowly pour in the chilled prosecco, followed by a splash of soda water.
  5. Stir and garnish. Give it one gentle stir, then garnish with cranberries, a rosemary sprig and a lime wheel. Serve immediately.

How to Make a Pitcher for a Party

To serve a crowd of about 6, add 180 ml (6 oz) of elderflower liqueur, 180 ml (6 oz) of cranberry juice and the juice of 1 lime to a large pitcher with a big handful of mint. Just before guests arrive, add ice, one 750 ml bottle of chilled prosecco and about 250 ml (1 cup) of soda water. Stir gently and pour into glasses with fresh garnishes. Adding the bubbles at the last minute keeps the drink fizzy.

Tips for the Best Spritz

  • Chill everything. Cold prosecco and soda keep the drink crisp and bubbly.
  • Use a big glass. A large wine glass gives the bubbles and garnishes room to shine.
  • Choose dry prosecco. A brut or extra dry prosecco balances the sweetness of the elderflower.
  • Adjust the sweetness. If your cranberry juice is unsweetened, you may want a touch more elderflower syrup.
  • Make sugared cranberries. Roll damp cranberries in caster sugar and let them dry for a frosty, festive garnish.

The Cranberry Hugo Spritz is light, bubbly and bursting with festive flavour, making it an easy crowd-pleaser for the holiday season. With just a few simple ingredients and five minutes of prep, you can serve a drink that looks and tastes like it came from a cocktail bar. Raise a glass and enjoy responsibly.