Perfect for summer drinks, enjoy this hugo spritz mocktail as a fun non-alcoholic drink with family and friends! Made with minimal ingredients of elderflower, mint and lemon balm, it has the best combination of floral and herb flavors and takes minutes to come together.
Love all things elderflower? Do have a peek at my elderflower fizz mocktail with apple for another fun drink!
Now, you may have noticed that I do love a refreshing mocktail for summer! So of course when I heard about the latest trend for hugo spritz cocktails, I had to come up with a non-alcholic version to try!
Making this hugo mocktail is super simple and it has such a light and refreshing flavor with aromatic elderflower, mint and lemon balm. It's just the thing for enjoying in the back yard during the heatwave we are currently having!
Do check out my cucumber and mint mocktail, lychee mint mocktail and passion fruit mocktail recipe for more tasty drink ideas!
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⭐ Why this recipe is so good
Light and refreshing. While I do love a fruit mocktail, this more floral herb mocktail has a lightness that's delicious on a hot day!
Minimal ingredients. We need just a few fresh herbs and some pantry staples to make this summer mocktail.
Quick and easy. No cook time, we just muddle together the herbs with the elderflower syrup and add some bubbles!
❔What is a hugo spritz mocktail?
Hugo spritz cocktails are having quite a moment as the fragrant drink of summer, and typically combine prosecco, elderflower syrup, mint leaves and lime or lemon.
As alcohol doesn't work for many of us, I was excited to use similar flavors to make a refreshing drink that all the family can enjoy. We leave out the prosecco for this recipe but keep the delicious elderflower and mint flavors. And of course top with some bubbles!
🍹 Ingredients
All the ingredients and their quantities are set out in the recipe card below.
- Elderflower cordial - it's easy to find in stores, but do check the ingredients label if citrus doesn't work for you as some contain lemon juice.
- Mint leaves and lemon balm leaves - full of fragrance, pick fresh unbruised leaves (definitely not dried leaves!).
- Sparkling water - I suggest to use a plain, unflavored water so we don't mask the taste of elderflower and mint.
📖 Swaps and variations
Swap elderflower cordial for elderflower syrup. If using syrup, you may wish to use a little less, but adjust to taste preference.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice. If citrus works for you, then it will freshen up your drink (this likely isn't suitable if you're looking for a low histamine recipe).
Leave out the lemon balm leaves. I love the citrus aroma (and have a lemon balm plant in my backyard that supplies me with endless leaves!), but you can easily leave out if you prefer.
🔪 Step by step instructions
Making this hugo spritz mocktail is super simple, and has just a few steps:
Step 1: Clap the mint leaves
Place the fresh mint leaves and lemon balm leaves in your palm and 'clap' with your other hand to release their oils (image 1). Then add to a glass with some ice cubes.
Step 2: Pour in elderflower cordial
Pour in the elderflower cordial and sparkling water (image 2). I like to use 1.5 tablespoon per glass of elderflower cordial, but if you have a sweet tooth you may like to use a little more.
Step 3: Muddle the mocktail!
Use a muddling spoon (cocktail stirrer) or the end of a wooden spoon to stir the hugo spritz mocktail and help infuse the elderflower cordial and herbs (image 3). Serve and enjoy!
💭 Recipe tips and notes
- Adjust the amount of elderflower cordial to taste preference. If you have a sweet tooth you may like a little more!
- I suggest to use a plain, unflavored sparkling water so you don't overpower the elderflower and herb flavors.
- If citrus works for you, then you can add a squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice.
📋 Frequently asked questions
A hugo cocktail (also known as a hugo spritz cocktail) typically combines prosecco, elderflower cordial or syrup, mint leaves and sparkling water.
You can easily make your own cordial, such as the elderflower cordial by BBQ Good Food. Note that most homemade cordials contain lemons.
No, you can leave the lemon balm leaves out if you prefer, but they add a nice citrus note to the drink without actually using citrus.
🍸 More fun mocktails
Enjoy choosing from so many fun drinks including my popular sparkling blueberry mocktail recipe, apple juice mocktail, peach mocktail recipe and pear mocktail, as well as these recent recipes:
I'm always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes! And I love to hear from you - so please do leave a star rating ⭐⭐⭐ and comment if you've tried the recipe!
📖 Recipe
Hugo Spritz Mocktail
Equipment
- Muddling spoon (cocktail stirrer) or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- ice 3-4 cubes
- 6 mint leaves
- 3 lemon balm leaves optional, or lime juice*
- 1.5 tablespoon elderflower cordial or 1 tablespoon elderflower syrup
- sparkling water or club soda
Instructions
- Add a handful of ice cubes to your glass.
- Place the mint leaves and lemon balm leaves (if using) in your hand and 'clap' together to release their oils and scent. Place in the glass.
- Pour on the elderflower cordial and sparkling water. Use a muddling spoon to stir, then enjoy!
Notes
- If you have a sweet tooth you may like to use a little more elderflower cordial.
- The lemon balm is optional, but adds a nice citrus note.
- I suggest to use a plain unflavored sparkling water to make the mocktail.
- Check the ingredients list of your elderflower cordial for citrus (and other ingredients) if they do not work for you. Brands vary a great deal in their added ingredients for cordial.
- Nutritional information is auto-generated and should be understood to be an estimate.
- elderflower cordial scores 0, but check the label for any additional ingredients.
- sparkling water isn't rated.
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