How Much Alcohol is in a Hugo? Complete Guide to Hugo Spritz
If you’re wondering how much alcohol is in a Hugo, you’re not alone. This delicate, refreshing cocktail has earned a loyal following for good reason—it’s crisp, floral, and perfect for warm weather sipping. In this complete guide, we’ll explore exactly how much alcohol is in a Hugo, what ingredients affect its strength, and how to adjust the ABV to match your taste. Whether you’re making a light afternoon spritz or something with a bit more kick, you’ll leave here with all the answers.
What is a Hugo Spritz?
The Hugo Spritz is a bubbly Italian cocktail made from Prosecco, elderflower syrup or liqueur, soda water, and garnishes like mint and lime. Served over ice in a wine glass, it originated in the South Tyrol region of northern Italy. Bartender Roland Gruber created it in 2005 as a sweeter, lighter alternative to Aperol Spritz.
While Prosecco and elderflower deliver flavor, it’s important to understand how much alcohol is in a Hugo based on these ingredients. Depending on your mix, the ABV can range from super light to moderately strong.
How Much Alcohol is in a Hugo: Ingredient Breakdown
Let’s dig into how each ingredient affects how much alcohol is in a Hugo:
1. Prosecco: The Boozy Backbone
Most of the alcohol in a Hugo comes from Prosecco, which usually contains 11–12% ABV. A standard Hugo uses about 3 oz of Prosecco, meaning how much alcohol is in a Hugo heavily depends on this portion. Want a stronger drink? Add more Prosecco. Prefer something lighter? Cut back.
2. Elderflower Syrup vs. Elderflower Liqueur
This choice significantly influences how much alcohol is in a Hugo:
Elderflower syrup = 0% ABV
Elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain) = ~20% ABV
Substituting syrup with liqueur can raise the ABV by 2–4%, depending on your pour. If you’re watching how much alcohol is in a Hugo, the type of elderflower you use matters.
3. Soda Water: The Balancing Act
Soda water contains no alcohol, and it dilutes the cocktail, reducing the final ABV. Standard recipes use about 1 oz of soda water, which doesn’t drastically shift how much alcohol is in a Hugo, but you can always add more for a milder drink.
4. Total ABV Estimates
Depending on ingredients, here’s how much alcohol is in a Hugo on average:
Version | Ingredients | Approx. ABV |
|---|---|---|
Classic Hugo (syrup) | 3 oz Prosecco, 1 oz syrup, 1 oz soda | 5–7% |
Strong Hugo (liqueur) | 3 oz Prosecco, 1 oz liqueur, 1 oz soda | 8–10% |
Gin Hugo | 2 oz Prosecco, 1 oz gin, 1 oz syrup, soda | 10–12% |
Alcohol-Free | Non-alcoholic wine, syrup, soda | 0% |
Knowing how much alcohol is in a Hugo helps you adjust your pour to suit any occasion—from light brunches to evening cocktails.
Popular Variations of the Hugo Spritz
Classic Hugo Spritz (with Syrup)
Ingredients: 3 oz Prosecco, 1 oz elderflower syrup, 1 oz soda water
ABV: 5–7%
Perfect for: Daytime sipping, picnics
Hugo with Elderflower Liqueur
Ingredients: 3 oz Prosecco, 1 oz elderflower liqueur, 1 oz soda water
ABV: 8–10%
Perfect for: Pre-dinner aperitif
Gin Hugo
Ingredients: 2 oz Prosecco, 1 oz gin, 1 oz elderflower syrup, soda
ABV: 10–12%
Perfect for: Cocktail hour, stronger flavor profiles
Non-Alcoholic Hugo
Ingredients: Alcohol-free sparkling wine, elderflower syrup, soda water
ABV: 0%
Perfect for: Designated drivers, brunches, mocktail fans
Knowing how much alcohol is in a Hugo allows you to enjoy this floral cocktail exactly the way you want it.
How to Make Hugo Spritz at Home
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to mix your own—and control exactly how much alcohol is in a Hugo.
Ingredients:
3 oz Prosecco
1 oz elderflower syrup (or liqueur)
1 oz soda water
Fresh mint
Lime slice
Ice cubes
Instructions:
Fill a large wine glass with ice.
Pour in Prosecco.
Add elderflower syrup or liqueur.
Top with soda water.
Stir gently.
Garnish with mint and lime.
Tip: To lower how much alcohol is in a Hugo, use more soda and syrup, and go easy on the Prosecco.
Hugo Spritz vs. Aperol Spritz: Alcohol Comparison
You might wonder how much alcohol is in a Hugo compared to an Aperol Spritz.
Drink | Ingredients | ABV Range |
|---|---|---|
Hugo Spritz | Prosecco, elderflower syrup or liqueur, soda | 5–10% |
Aperol Spritz | Prosecco, Aperol, soda | 9–11% |
So, how much alcohol is in a Hugo? Slightly less than Aperol Spritz—especially when using syrup.
FAQs: How Much Alcohol is in a Hugo?
1. How much alcohol is in a Hugo Spritz?
Anywhere from 5% to 10% ABV, depending on whether you use syrup or liqueur and the amount of Prosecco.
2. Can I make a Hugo Spritz without alcohol?
Absolutely. Use non-alcoholic sparkling wine and elderflower syrup to keep it 100% alcohol-free.
3. Is a Hugo stronger than an Aperol Spritz?
No. When made with syrup, a Hugo is lighter than Aperol Spritz.
4. Can I add more alcohol to a Hugo?
Yes. Add gin, vodka, or more Prosecco if you want to increase how much alcohol is in a Hugo.
5. What’s the best time to drink a Hugo Spritz?
Hugo is perfect for brunch, picnics, or sunny afternoons when you want a low-ABV cocktail that still feels festive.
Final Thoughts: Is a Hugo Spritz Strong?
If you’ve been wondering how much alcohol is in a Hugo, the answer lies in your ingredients. By playing with Prosecco volume, using syrup or liqueur, and adjusting soda water, you control the strength.
Light and lovely or bold and boozy—the Hugo is endlessly adaptable. Now that you know how much alcohol is in a Hugo, it’s time to mix, sip, and enjoy.
Print
How Much Alcohol is in a Hugo? Refreshing Spritz Guide
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
A refreshing, floral summer cocktail with Prosecco, elderflower, mint, and lime. Easily adjustable for low or high ABV.
Ingredients
3 oz Prosecco
1 oz elderflower syrup or liqueur
1 oz soda water
Fresh mint leaves
Lime slice
Ice cubes
Instructions
1. Fill a large wine glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour in 3 oz of Prosecco.
3. Add 1 oz of elderflower syrup or liqueur.
4. Top with 1 oz of soda water.
5. Stir gently to mix all ingredients.
6. Garnish with mint and a slice of lime.
Notes
Use elderflower syrup for a lower ABV, or liqueur (like St-Germain) for a stronger drink.
To make it non-alcoholic, use sparkling water or alcohol-free Prosecco.
Adjust soda water for a lighter cocktail.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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I’m Billy, a classically trained culinary school graduate from The Culinary Institute of America with over 12 years in the restaurant industry and over 19 years of cooking experience.
