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Aperol Spritz vs Hugo Spritz
Bitter-orange versus elderflower-mint — Italy's two favourite low-ABV spritzes.
Which should you make?
If you find Aperol too bitter, the Hugo is the answer rather than a compromise: elderflower and mint give you the same long sparkling shape with sweetness and aroma in place of the bitter orange. The Aperol Spritz is the better aperitif of the two, because the bitterness is what sharpens an appetite.
| Attribute | Aperol Spritz |  Hugo Spritz |
|---|---|---|
| In a word | off-dry, gentle, very light, sparkling — a bitter aperitif drink served long, over ice. | sweet, balanced, very light, sparkling — a sour-structured drink served long, over ice. |
| Structure | Bitter aperitif | Sour-structured |
| Family | Spritz | Spritz |
| Smells of | Citrus peel | Mint, Orchard fruit, Citrus peel |
| Technique | Building in the glassThe drink changes as you go: strongest at the first sip, longest and most diluted at the last. That drift is a feature of a long drink and a fault in a short one. | Building in the glassThe drink changes as you go: strongest at the first sip, longest and most diluted at the last. That drift is a feature of a long drink and a fault in a short one. |
| Base spirit | liqueur led | sparkling wine |
| Strength | light | light |
| ABV | 8.5% | 5.8% |
| Calories | 150 kcal | 120 kcal |
| Sweetness | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Sourness | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Bitterness | 2/5 | 0/5 |
| Prep time | 3 min | 4 min |
| Difficulty | easy | easy |
| Equipment | Jigger, Bar spoon | Jigger, Bar spoon |
| Occasions | aperitif, summer, party | aperitif, summer, party |
| Alcohol-free option | Yes | No |
Choose the Aperol Spritz if you want something quick to make and you prefer a drier, less sweet drink.
Choose the Hugo Spritz if you'd rather keep the calories down and you prefer a sweeter drink.
Can you make both?
Both need: Prosecco, Soda water.
- Only the Aperol Spritz
- Aperol
- Only the Hugo Spritz
- Elderflower cordial, Fresh lime, cut into wedges, Fresh mint leaves
What actually separates them
bitterness
The Aperol Spritz is markedly more bitter — 2/5 against 0/5 — so the Hugo Spritz is the one to reach for if that is not what you want.
base spirit
Aperol Spritz is built on liqueur led, Hugo Spritz on sparkling wine. If you only own one of the two, that settles it.
alcohol
Aperol Spritz is alcoholic; Hugo Spritz is low alcohol.
Effectively identical on: strength.