Somewhere along the line the Hugo Spritz quietly overtook the Aperol Spritz as the drink people actually want in the sun. Lighter, less bitter, and far easier to drink in a garden at four in the afternoon. Ours is elderflower, citrus and a soft botanical finish, blended in small batches at our place in Manchester and ready the moment you open the fridge.
The Spritz for People Who Find Aperol Too Bitter
That is most people, if we are honest. The Hugo came out of northern Italy as the gentler alternative, elderflower instead of bitter orange, and it converts Aperol sceptics almost instantly. Ours keeps that character, floral and fresh up front, citrus running underneath, and a dry finish rather than a sugary one. It is the drink you can have in the afternoon without it flattening the rest of your day.
Elderflower Breeze, Hugo Spritz, Same Can
You may know this one by either name. We called it Elderflower Breeze originally, then discovered half the country was searching for a Hugo Spritz instead, so the can now answers to both. Same recipe, same blend, just a name that matches what people actually ask for at the bar.
Cans and the Bottle
The 200ml cans come in an 8 pack for the fridge or a 24 pack for the summer, weddings, garden parties, or any long weekend where you would rather not run out. Each can is a finished spritz, so nothing needs adding.
The 700ml bottle pours seven serves at a standard 100ml measure. For a table outside, pour it over a big jug of ice with mint and lemon slices and let people help themselves. If your guests all want something different, the taster pack puts eight Boozy flavours in one box.
How to Serve It
Big wine glass, loads of ice, a sprig of mint and a slice of lemon or lime. That is the classic spritz serve and it is worth the ten seconds it takes, because half of a spritz is how it looks sitting on a table in the sun. Serve it properly cold. Warm spritz is a sad thing.
How Strong Is It?
Cans and bottle are both 8.4% ABV, which is about 1.7 UK units per 200ml can and roughly 5.9 units in the full 700ml bottle. It drinks lightly, which is exactly why the numbers are worth knowing. Our Cocktail ABV Calculator will compare it against a spritz built at home.
Small Batch, Made By Us
Blended and canned by us in Manchester, on our own kit, in small batches. Getting elderflower right is a balancing act, too little and it disappears, too much and it tastes like cordial, so this one went through more tasting rounds than most before we were happy.
Rather Make Your Own?
Easily done with a bottle of elderflower and some fizz. My Hugo Spritz recipe has the proper ratio and the garnish. And for the days when the garden is calling and you cannot be bothered, the cans are on our ready to drink cocktail cans page.
Hugo Spritz FAQs
What is in a Hugo Spritz?
Traditionally elderflower, prosecco, soda and mint, served long over ice. Ours delivers that elderflower and citrus character ready mixed, so there is no bottle of fizz to open and nothing to measure.
How is it different from an Aperol Spritz?
An Aperol Spritz is bitter orange led and noticeably more bitter. A Hugo is floral and lighter, which is why it tends to win over people who find Aperol a bit much.
Why is it called Elderflower Breeze on the can?
That was our original name for it. Hugo Spritz is what most people search for and order, so both names now sit together. It is the same drink either way.
How many serves in the 700ml bottle?
Seven at a standard 100ml pour, though a spritz is usually served long over lots of ice, so stretch it as far as your glasses allow.