A Strawberry Hugo Spritz is what happens when a classic European aperitif gets a juicy, summery glow-up. This Strawberry Hugo Spritz is a light and refreshing strawberry spritz cocktail made with fresh strawberries, strawberry syrup, elderflower liqueur, prosecco, club soda, and mint.

Traditionally, a Hugo Spritz leans on elderflower, bubbly prosecco, a splash of soda, and fresh mint—light, floral, and effortlessly refreshing. This strawberry version keeps that breezy spirit but adds the kind of ripe berry flavor that makes a drink feel instantly celebratory. With fresh strawberries muddled right in the glass and a touch of strawberry syrup for extra depth, you get a spritz that’s equal parts garden-fresh and “vacation in a glass.” It’s bright, aromatic, and pretty enough to serve at brunch, a backyard happy hour, or a bridal shower—especially with those floating berries and mint leaves.

This is the kind of cocktail that instantly feels like summer — light, bubbly, and beautiful enough to serve at any celebration.

Strawberry Hugo Spritz at a Glance

Flavor: Light, fruity, floral
Skill Level: Easy
Perfect For: Brunch, summer parties, bridal showers
Alcohol Level: Low to moderate

What Is a Strawberry Hugo Spritz?

A Strawberry Hugo Spritz is a refreshing twist on the classic Hugo spritz cocktail, made with muddled fresh strawberries, strawberry syrup, elderflower liqueur, prosecco, club soda, and fresh mint. This version keeps the light, bubbly character of a traditional Hugo spritz while adding vibrant strawberry flavor and a soft pink hue. The result is a strawberry spritz cocktail that feels elegant, seasonal, and incredibly easy to drink, making it perfect for warm-weather entertaining and special occasions.

How the Strawberry Hugo Spritz Differs from a Classic Hugo Spritz

A classic Hugo spritz relies on elderflower liqueur, prosecco, soda water, and mint for its flavor profile. By adding muddled strawberries and strawberry syrup, this strawberry Hugo spritz recipe becomes fruit-forward and slightly sweeter, with a more pronounced berry aroma. The strawberries enhance both the taste and the visual appeal, turning a simple spritz into a standout strawberry prosecco cocktail.

Elderflower liqueur is the signature ingredient in a Hugo spritz, and St-Germain offers a great overview of how its floral flavor works in light, sparkling cocktails.

Using ripe, in-season strawberries makes a big difference in flavor, and the USDA shares helpful information on when strawberries are at their peak.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Hugo Spritz Recipe

This strawberry Hugo spritz recipe is light, refreshing, and effortlessly elegant. It’s lower in alcohol than many cocktails thanks to the combination of prosecco and club soda, making it ideal for brunch, showers, or afternoon gatherings. The drink is also visually stunning, with floating strawberries and mint leaves that make it instantly Instagram- and Pinterest-worthy.

Perfect for Entertaining and Special Occasions

Whether you’re hosting a spring brunch, summer garden party, bridal shower, or casual happy hour, this strawberry spritz cocktail fits right in. It’s easy to customize, quick to assemble, and universally appealing, even for guests who don’t typically love strong cocktails.

What makes this cocktail so special is the layering of flavors. Fresh strawberries bring natural sweetness and a soft, jammy aroma when muddled, while strawberry syrup boosts the berry notes in a smooth, consistent way (and gives the drink that gorgeous blush color). Elderflower liqueur is the signature Hugo element—it adds a delicate floral sweetness that tastes like springtime. Prosecco brings crisp bubbles and a lightly fruity backbone, while club soda stretches the drink into something you can sip slowly without it feeling heavy. The mint, though, is the real secret weapon: it lifts the whole drink with a clean, cooling fragrance, making every sip taste brighter.

This Strawberry Hugo Spritz is also the kind of cocktail that looks fancy without requiring complicated technique. You’re essentially building it in the glass, which makes it ideal for entertaining. The muddling step creates a fresh strawberry base, the syrup helps everything blend smoothly, and then you top it with sparkling ingredients so the drink stays light and bubbly. The garnish isn’t just decoration either—those extra strawberry slices and mint leaves add aroma with every sip. If you want to impress guests, serve it in a large wine glass with lots of ice and a generous handful of fruit and mint. It’s the sort of drink people ask about after the first sip.

When choosing strawberries, pick the ripest ones you can find because their natural flavor is doing a lot of the work here. If they’re perfectly ripe, you’ll need very little syrup; if they’re slightly tart, the syrup balances them beautifully. You can also tailor the sweetness by adjusting the syrup amount—start small, taste, and add more if you want it sweeter. Elderflower liqueur can vary in sweetness by brand, so that’s another reason tasting as you go is helpful. Prosecco tends to be on the drier side (brut or extra dry), which is great here because it keeps the drink crisp rather than candy-sweet.

This spritz is perfect for warm weather, but it’s not limited to summer. Strawberries show up at baby showers, spring brunches, Valentine’s Day spreads, and even holiday parties when you want something fresh to balance heavier foods. It pairs beautifully with light appetizers like caprese skewers, whipped feta crostini, shrimp cocktail, or a simple charcuterie board with soft cheeses. And because it’s lower-alcohol than many cocktails (thanks to the soda), it works well for daytime events where you want something festive but not too strong.

If you’re making a batch for friends, you can prep the strawberry base ahead of time by muddling strawberries with syrup in a pitcher and chilling it. Then, when it’s time to serve, spoon some of the strawberry mixture into each glass, add ice, elderflower liqueur, and top with prosecco and soda. The key to keeping it bubbly is adding the sparkling ingredients last and stirring gently. With just a little prep, you can serve a crowd without spending the whole party behind the counter.

Ingredients In A Strawberry Hugo Spritz

Fresh strawberries – The main flavor and natural sweetness; muddling them releases their juices for a bright, fresh strawberry base.
Strawberry syrup – Adds concentrated berry flavor and smooth sweetness; helps intensify color and keep the drink consistently delicious even if strawberries vary in ripeness.
Elderflower liqueur – The signature Hugo Spritz element; floral, lightly sweet, and aromatic, it makes the cocktail taste elegant and “garden-fresh.”
Prosecco – Crisp sparkling wine that provides the spritz’s bubbles and structure; balances the sweetness and keeps the drink light.
Club soda – A refreshing topper that adds extra fizz and lengthens the cocktail without adding more sweetness.
Fresh mint leaves – Cooling, fragrant, and bright; mint makes every sip feel cleaner and more refreshing.
Ice – Essential for a spritz; keeps the drink cold and helps the flavors stay crisp and balanced.

Step-by-step directions: Strawberry Hugo Spritz

Prep your strawberries. Wash, hull, and slice 2–3 fresh strawberries per drink (more if they’re small). Reserve a few slices for garnish.
Muddle the strawberries. Add the sliced strawberries to a large wine glass (or spritz glass). Using a muddler or the back of a spoon, gently muddle until the berries release their juices and look slightly crushed.
Add strawberry syrup. Pour in about ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) strawberry syrup. Muddle once or twice more to combine the syrup with the strawberry juices.
Add elderflower liqueur. Pour in 1 ounce elderflower liqueur. Give it a gentle stir to distribute the strawberry mixture through the liqueur.
Fill with ice. Add a generous handful of ice—spritzes are best very cold.
Top with prosecco. Slowly pour in 3 ounces prosecco, tilting the glass slightly to preserve bubbles.
Finish with club soda. Add 1–2 ounces club soda (to taste). If you want it lighter, add a bit more soda; if you want it stronger, use a bit less.
Add mint and fruit. Lightly clap 4–6 mint leaves between your hands (this wakes up the aroma), then add them to the glass along with the reserved strawberry slices.
Stir gently and serve. Give the drink one slow, gentle stir—just enough to combine without flattening the fizz. Serve immediately with a straw if you like.

A strawberry Hugo spritz recipe like this is the ultimate warm-weather cocktail because it combines fresh fruit, floral liqueur, and sparkling wine into one light, refreshing drink. Unlike heavier cocktails, a spritz cocktail with prosecco and club soda keeps things crisp and easy to sip, making it ideal for summer parties, brunch gatherings, or casual backyard entertaining. Fresh strawberries add natural sweetness and vibrant color, while elderflower liqueur gives this strawberry spritz cocktail its signature aromatic finish. If you’re looking for a strawberry prosecco cocktail that feels elevated but still approachable, this recipe checks every box.

This elderflower prosecco cocktail is also incredibly versatile. You can serve it as a pre-dinner aperitif, a signature drink for a bridal shower, or even a refreshing cocktail for a baby shower or spring brunch. The combination of muddled strawberries and strawberry syrup creates a bold fruit base that pairs beautifully with dry prosecco, preventing the drink from becoming overly sweet. Mint leaves add a refreshing herbal note that balances the fruit and floral flavors, making this strawberry Hugo spritz taste fresh, bright, and well-rounded with every sip.

From a hosting perspective, this strawberry spritz cocktail is a dream because it’s easy to scale. Whether you’re making one drink or serving a crowd, the method stays simple and stress-free. Muddling fresh strawberries directly in the glass ensures maximum flavor, while topping with prosecco and club soda keeps the cocktail bubbly and visually stunning. Those floating strawberries and mint leaves make this drink extremely photogenic, which is exactly why strawberry spritz cocktails are so popular on Pinterest, Instagram, and summer cocktail menus.

If you’re searching for an easy strawberry cocktail with prosecco that feels both elegant and modern, this Strawberry Hugo Spritz is a standout choice. It delivers the refreshing qualities people love in a classic Hugo spritz while adding a fruity twist that feels seasonal and indulgent. Whether you’re building a summer cocktail menu, planning drinks for a party, or just craving a light and refreshing strawberry elderflower cocktail, this recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.

Ingredients for a Strawberry Hugo Spritz

This strawberry elderflower cocktail uses simple, fresh ingredients that work together to create a balanced, aromatic drink. Each component plays a specific role in flavor, texture, and presentation.

Fresh Strawberries

Fresh strawberries provide natural sweetness, bright color, and juicy flavor. When muddled, they create the base of the cocktail and give this strawberry Hugo spritz its signature fresh-fruit taste.

Strawberry Syrup

Strawberry syrup intensifies the berry flavor and ensures consistent sweetness. It also helps create a smooth, cohesive strawberry base, especially when strawberries vary in ripeness.

Elderflower Liqueur

Elderflower liqueur is the defining ingredient of a Hugo spritz. Lightly floral and gently sweet, it adds a delicate, aromatic note that pairs beautifully with strawberries and sparkling wine.

Prosecco

Prosecco adds crisp bubbles and structure to the cocktail. A dry or extra-dry prosecco works best, balancing the sweetness of the strawberries and elderflower liqueur without overpowering them.

Club Soda

Club soda lightens the drink and adds extra fizz, keeping the strawberry spritz cocktail refreshing and easy to sip.

Fresh Mint Leaves

Mint brings a cooling, herbal freshness that lifts the fruit and floral flavors. It also adds a fragrant aroma with every sip.

How to Make a Strawberry Hugo Spritz

This strawberry Hugo spritz is built directly in the glass, making it simple and stress-free. The key is muddling the strawberries first so their juices fully infuse the drink.

Muddling the Strawberries

Start by muddling fresh strawberry slices in a large wine glass until they release their juices. This step creates a fresh strawberry base that sets this cocktail apart from syrup-only strawberry drinks.

Building the Spritz

After muddling, add strawberry syrup and elderflower liqueur, then fill the glass with ice. Top with prosecco and club soda, stirring gently to preserve the bubbles while evenly distributing the flavors.

Tips for the Best Strawberry Hugo Spritz

Small adjustments can make a big difference when crafting the perfect strawberry prosecco cocktail.

Choose Ripe Strawberries

Ripe, in-season strawberries deliver the best flavor and require less added sweetness. If your berries are especially sweet, you can reduce the amount of strawberry syrup.

Use Dry Prosecco

A dry or extra-dry prosecco keeps the drink balanced and prevents it from becoming overly sweet, especially when combined with strawberry syrup and elderflower liqueur.

Add Mint at the End

Gently clapping the mint leaves before adding them releases their aroma without bruising them, enhancing the overall freshness of the cocktail.

Strawberry Hugo Spritz Variations

This recipe is easy to adapt based on taste, season, or occasion.

Make It Less Sweet

Use less strawberry syrup and add extra club soda for a lighter, more refreshing strawberry spritz cocktail.

Make It Alcohol-Free

Replace the elderflower liqueur with elderflower syrup and use non-alcoholic sparkling wine or sparkling water for a beautiful mocktail version.

Can You Make a Strawberry Hugo Spritz in a Pitcher?

Yes, this strawberry Hugo spritz recipe works well for batching when entertaining.

How to Batch a Strawberry Hugo Spritz

Muddle strawberries with strawberry syrup in a pitcher and chill. When ready to serve, add elderflower liqueur, then gently stir in prosecco and club soda just before pouring to keep the drink bubbly and fresh.