My Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz Recipe (That Saved My Sanity!)

So there I was last summer, 7 months pregnant and DYING for something that wasn’t water or another sickeningly sweet mocktail from a mix. Anyone else feel me on this?? My friend Julia (bless her) brought over this non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz thing when she came for dinner and OMG. Game. Changer.

I literally begged her for the non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz recipe and have probably made it 100+ times since. I’m not even exaggerating!

For those who haven’t tried a Hugo before (I hadn’t either!), it’s this Italian drink with elderflower, mint, and bubbles. The real deal has Prosecco, but honestly? This non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz version is so good I don’t even miss the alcohol. And that’s coming from someone who used to LOVE her wine nights!

Why This Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz Recipe Is My New Obsession

I’ve got a confession: I’m kind of known for my dramatic reactions to food and drinks. My husband still makes fun of me for how I went on about this non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz for DAYS after first trying it. But seriously:

• It’s got this elderflower stuff that tastes like what I imagine fancy people drink all the time
• The mint makes it super refreshing (especially when it’s 95 degrees and my AC decides to be temperamental)
• There’s lime in there that cuts through the sweetness perfectly
• The bubbles make me feel like I’m having an actual grown-up drink!

Plus, this non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz recipe takes like 5 minutes to make. Which, as someone who regularly burns microwave popcorn, is a MAJOR selling point for me.

Stuff You Need for the Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz Recipe

For each drink (and I’m terrible with exact measurements so these are approximates):

• About a cup of sparkling water or that non-alcoholic sparkling wine stuff (the Trader Joe’s one is decent but I found a better one at Whole Foods when I was feeling fancy)
• 2-ish tablespoons of elderflower syrup (I had NO IDEA what this was before this recipe – found it near the fancy cocktail mixers)
• Juice from half a lime (or a whole one if you’re like me and buy those tiny ones that barely have any juice)
• Ice – lots of it! (Pro tip: clear ice looks amazing but who has time for that?? Not me!)
• Some mint that hopefully isn’t wilting in your fridge drawer (or is that just me?)
• Cucumber or lime slices if you’re feeling extra and want it to look pretty

Can’t find elderflower syrup for your non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz? No worries – I’ve used honey with a drop of this rose water stuff I had left over from a failed Middle Eastern dessert attempt, and it worked fine! If you’re watching sugar intake (unlike me and my cookie habit), just use less syrup.

How I Throw This Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz Together

Fair warning: I’m not exactly Martha Stewart in the kitchen, but even I can handle this:

1. Grab whatever glass is clean – I prefer my IKEA wine glasses that have somehow survived 3 moves, but I’ve made these non-alcoholic Hugo Spritzes in coffee mugs when everything else was in the dishwasher. No judgment! Fill it with ice.
2. Chuck in the flavor stuff – Pour in your elderflower syrup (sometimes I just do a 3-second pour and call it good), squeeze in your lime (catching seeds with your other hand if you’re coordinated, which I’m not). Give it a quick stir with whatever utensil is closest.
3. Add the fizzy water – Pour it in slowly unless you WANT it to overflow everywhere like mine did the first time I made a non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz (note: sticky floors are not fun with toddlers around).
4. Make it look nice-ish – I smush the mint leaves a bit in my hands first – releases more flavor or something? I read that somewhere. Then stick in some cucumber slices if you remembered to buy cucumbers, which I usually don’t.

And voilà! A non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz that makes me feel like I’ve got my life together even when there’s a pile of laundry I’ve been “about to fold” for three days.

Instagram vs. Reality of My Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz

Can we talk about drink photos for a sec? I tried to take a “Pinterest-worthy” pic of these non-alcoholic Hugo Spritzes once. Spent 15 minutes arranging it by the window, added extra garnishes, the works. My final photo still looked like a blob in a glass. #photographyisnotmytalent

But if you’re better at that stuff than me:

• Natural light helps (not the harsh overhead light in my kitchen that makes everything look like a crime scene)
• Clear glasses show off the pretty green from the mint and cucumber
• I’ve seen people add those paper straws which look cute but get soggy in 3 minutes flat

The Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz Make-Ahead Disaster Story

PSA: Do NOT pre-mix these for parties. Ask me how I know!

I made a big batch of non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz for my sister’s baby shower, added the sparkling water early, and by the time people arrived, it was just sad, flat, sweet lime water. Major fail.

You CAN mix the elderflower syrup and lime ahead of time though. Just add the bubbly stuff last minute when serving your non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz.

Ways I’ve Messed With The Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz Recipe

When I’m feeling adventurous (or more likely, when I’m missing ingredients):

• Added smashed strawberries at the bottom – pretty good but strained my one working straw
• Used basil instead of mint once when I killed my mint plant (again)
• Threw in some pineapple juice when I was craving a tropical vacation after watching Below Deck
• My neighbor Trish adds jalapeño to her non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz which I thought was INSANE until I tried it and it’s actually amazing

Real Talk About This Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz Recipe

Look, I’m not saying this non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz recipe changed my life, but… okay maybe it kind of did? It’s my go-to when:

• Friends come over and I want to seem like I have my act together
• I’m stuck at another kids’ birthday party making small talk with parents I barely know
• It’s been A DAY and I need something special but don’t want the hangover
• Tuesday. Because Tuesday.

If you try making this non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz, shoot me a message with how it turned out! Did you spill half of it like I always do? Add something weird that surprisingly worked? I want to hear about it!

P.S. Save this non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz recipe somewhere you’ll actually find it again. Unlike me who had to text Julia at midnight once because I couldn’t remember the measurements. She wasn’t thrilled.

Recipes You May Like

• Okra Water Recipe
• Chocolate Cake with Strawberries

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Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz Recipe

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Quick & refreshing Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz mocktail recipe! Elderflower, mint & lime make this easy bubbly Italian-inspired drink irresistible. Try it!

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Ingredients

• About 1 cup sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine
• About 1 cup sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine
• Roughly 2 tablespoons elderflower syrup (or to your taste)
• Roughly 2 tablespoons elderflower syrup (or to your taste)
• Juice squeezed from half a lime (use a whole small one if needed!)
• Juice squeezed from half a lime (use a whole small one if needed!)
• Plenty of ice cubes
• Plenty of ice cubes
• A few fresh mint leaves
• A few fresh mint leaves
• Optional: Thin cucumber slices or extra lime wheels for garnish
• Optional: Thin cucumber slices or extra lime wheels for garnish

Instructions

1. Pick a glass—any clean one works, like that wine glass you love or even a coffee mug. Fill it up with ice cubes.
2. Add the good stuff: pour in 2 tablespoons of elderflower syrup (or just eyeball a quick 3-second pour), then squeeze in the lime juice (watch for seeds if you’re clumsy like me). Stir it with whatever spoon or fork is nearby.
3. Top it off with 1 cup of sparkling water—go slow so it doesn’t fizz over (learned that the hard way).
4. Toss in a few mint leaves (give ‘em a little smack in your hands first for extra flavor) and, if you’ve got them, add some cucumber or lime slices to make it look pretty.

Notes

• If you’re scrambling and can’t find elderflower syrup, don’t panic! I’ve totally gotten by with a drizzle of honey and a tiny drop of rose water from that one time I tried (and failed) to make baklava. It’s not the same, but it’ll do.
• Word of warning: don’t mix in the sparkling water too early if you’re making a batch. I did that for a baby shower once, and it turned into sad, flat lime water by the time everyone showed up. Total buzzkill.
• Feeling creative (or just out of stuff)? I’ve tossed in some smashed strawberries when I had extras, swapped mint for basil after I accidentally killed my plant (oops), added a splash of pineapple juice for vacation vibes, or even tried a slice of jalapeño after my neighbor swore by it. Spoiler: she was right—it’s weirdly awesome.
• Wanna impress someone? Use clear ice or a cute straw if you’ve got ‘em. But honestly, I’m usually too lazy for that, and it still tastes amazing in my chipped IKEA glass.

Let me know if you’d like anything else tweaked!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 drink
Amount Per Serving:Calories: Approximately 50 calories per serving

And then you HAVE TO come back and leave a review here, and tell me everything in the comments below!

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