I’ve Officially Claimed This Summer the Summer of the Hugo Spritz
Move over, Aperol—there’s a new bubbly babe in town.
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but Hugo Spritzes are having a moment—and I’m declaring it loud and proud: this is a Hugo Spritz summer. I’ve been fully converted, and honestly? I’m never looking back. Light, floral, fizzy, and just a touch sweet—it’s everything I want in a hot weather cocktail (without the bitterness of Aperol, thank you very much).
And because I can never leave anything alone, I gave mine a brambleberry twist with a homemade blackberry syrup that brings all the fruity, jammy goodness. It’s like a garden party in a glass and pairs perfectly with golden hour and a patio hang. You’re gonna be obsessed!!
Ingredients:
Blackberry Syrup:
This syrup is the jammy, fruity soul of the cocktail. It adds that beautiful deep color and a sweet-tart blackberry flavor that balances out the floral and bubbly notes. It also gives a nod to Jeni’s iconic Brambleberry Crisp flavor, which inspired this whole twist in the first place. A little goes a long way—just enough to add berry flavor without overpowering everything else.
Prosecco:
Prosecco brings all the sparkle and lightness we love in a spritz. It’s bubbly, slightly dry, and acts as the perfect base to balance out the sweetness of the syrup and liqueur. I prefer something crisp and not too sweet so the blackberries and elderflower can really shine. It’s the party starter in this glass—no fizz, no spritz!
Elderflower Liqueur:
Elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain) adds that soft, floral, almost honey-like flavor that makes the Hugo Spritz so iconic. It pairs so beautifully with the blackberries—it’s like a garden in full bloom. It also adds a bit of boozy backbone to the drink while keeping things light and summery. You can’t skip it—it’s kind of the heart of the Hugo.
Soda Water:
Soda water keeps the drink balanced and refreshing—it stretches the prosecco and liqueur just enough without adding extra sweetness. It also adds a clean, crisp finish that makes the spritz super drinkable. Think of it as the “cooling splash” at the end that brings everything together. If you like a longer drink or want to mellow the flavor a bit, feel free to add a little more!
Mint Leaves:
Mint gives this cocktail its signature herbal, fresh vibe—don’t skip it! Lightly muddling the leaves releases their essential oils and makes every sip smell like a mini spa moment. The mint also plays really well with the elderflower and blackberry, bringing balance and brightness. Plus, let’s be real—it makes the glass look so pretty.
Lime or Lemon Wedge:
Citrus isn’t just a pretty face—it adds a tiny bit of citrusy zip that cuts through the sweetness and ties everything together. You can give it a little squeeze in the drink for extra brightness, or just let it float as a garnish. It helps enhance the berry flavor, especially if you use sweeter prosecco or syrup. And bonus: lime + mint + bubbles = refreshment central.
Ice:
Don’t underestimate the power of ice in a spritz! It chills everything to the perfect temperature and dilutes the drink ever so slightly as it melts—making it more refreshing, not watered down. A well-iced glass also keeps the bubbles from going flat too fast. I love filling the glass ¾ of the way to give the drink some structure and keep it frosty cold.
Why You’ll Love This Drink
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A refreshing twist on the classic Hugo Spritz
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Perfect balance of floral, fruity, and fizzy
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Easy to batch for parties or brunches
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Looks like you got it at a chic rooftop bar
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The blackberry syrup = ✨homemade magic✨
Equipment Needed for my Blackberry Hugo Spritz:
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Small saucepan – for the syrup
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Fine mesh strainer – for smooth syrup
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Cocktail muddler or spoon – to press the mint
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Wine or cocktail glass – a spritz deserves a pretty vessel
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Measuring jigger or shot glass – to get that perfect balance
Substitutions & Modifications
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No prosecco? Swap it out for any dry sparkling white wine (like cava or brut champagne). If you like it a little sweeter, try a Moscato d’Asti!
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No elderflower liqueur? You can use elderflower syrup (like Monin or Belvoir) and just bump up the prosecco to replace the alcohol volume. It’s also a great option for a mocktail!
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Mocktail version: Use elderflower syrup + sparkling white grape juice or lemon sparkling water instead of the alcohol. Still super refreshing and totally brunch-worthy.
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Out of blackberries? Try raspberries, blueberries, or even strawberries. Any juicy berry will work in the syrup and still taste delish.
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Granulated sugar alternative: For the syrup, feel free to use honey, agave, or even maple syrup—just note it might slightly alter the flavor. Start with a bit less and adjust to taste.
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No mint? Basil or lemon balm can add a fresh, herbal vibe if mint isn’t your thing (or you just forgot to grab it at the store—been there).
Blackberry Hugo Spritz (The Berry Best Summer Cocktail!)
Ingredients
- ½ oz blackberry syrup
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries 150g
- ½ – 1 cup sugar, depending on your sweetness preference 100–200g
- 1 cup water 240ml
- 3 oz prosecco
- 2 oz elderflower liqueur like St-Germain
- 1 oz soda water or sparkling water
- Fresh mint leaves for muddling and garnish
- Lime wedge for garnish
- Ice to fill the glass
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries 150g
- ½ – 1 cup sugar, depending on your sweetness preference 100–200g
- 1 cup water 240ml
Instructions
Blackberry Syrup Recipe (Quick & Easy):
- Use this for lattes and cocktails!
You’ll need:
- cup fresh or frozen blackberries (150g)
- ½ – 1 cup sugar, depending on your sweetness preference (100–200g)
- cup water (240ml)
To make it:
- In a small saucepan, combine blackberries, sugar, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes. Gently mash the berries with a spoon to release their juices, then simmer for 5 more minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a jar, pressing out all the syrup. Let cool before using. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week!
How to Make a Blackberry Hugo Spritz:
- Muddle the MintIn a large wine glass or cocktail glass, gently muddle a few mint leaves with the blackberry syrup. Don’t go too hard—you just want to release the oils, not shred the leaves.
- Add the IceFill your glass about ¾ of the way with ice. Crushed or cubed both work!
- Build the SpritzPour in the elderflower liqueur, followed by the prosecco and soda water. Give it a gentle stir to mix everything while keeping the bubbles intact.
- Garnish & ServeTop with a fresh mint sprig and a slice or wedge of lime. If you’re feeling extra fancy, a few whole blackberries on a cocktail pick make it extra cute.
Video
Tips & Tricks for the BEST Blackberry Hugo Spritz
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Chill everything beforehand for the most refreshing result: prosecco, soda water, and even your glass if you’re feeling bougie.
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Want it less sweet? Use less syrup or add a splash more soda water.
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Make it a mocktail: Skip the prosecco and elderflower liqueur and sub with sparkling white grape juice and elderflower tonic or soda.
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Try it with other berries like raspberry or blueberry if you’ve got them on hand.
Storage Instructions
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Blackberry syrup keeps in the fridge for up to 1 week. Make it ahead for easy cocktails all weekend long.
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You can pre-mix a pitcher of elderflower liqueur + syrup + soda water (without the prosecco) and store it in the fridge. Just pour over ice and top with bubbly when ready to serve!
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