Elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, apple club soda, and fresh mint make the Harvest Hugo Spritz a light fall cocktail with floral, apple, and herbal notes. A lime wheel and thin apple wedge give the glass a simple seasonal finish without making the drink feel heavy. This Harvest Hugo Spritz works well for fall brunch, Friendsgiving, early-evening drinks, or any gathering where you want something crisp and sparkling. The elderflower brings soft sweetness, while the Prosecco and apple soda keep the drink lively.

I like this one because it feels seasonal without relying on cinnamon, pumpkin, or heavy syrups. The apple gives it a fall direction, and the mint keeps the drink fresh.

Why You’ll Love This Harvest Hugo Spritz

This Harvest Hugo Spritz cocktail is fizzy, floral, fruity, and easy to build. The apple club soda gives the classic Hugo Spritz a fall twist without changing the light style of the drink.

A few reasons this drink works well:

It is easy to build. Everything goes directly into the wine glass.
Elderflower adds soft sweetness. It gives the drink a floral base.
Prosecco adds bubbles. It keeps the spritz light.
Apple soda adds fall flavor. It brings fruit without making the drink too rich.
Fresh mint adds aroma. It keeps the drink from feeling too sweet.
The garnish is simple. Lime, mint, and apple are enough to finish the glass.

This is a good choice when you want a fall cocktail that stays crisp and easy to sip.

Ingredients

The Harvest Hugo Spritz combines elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, apple club soda, and mint.

You will need:

1.5 oz elderflower liqueur St-Germain
3 oz Prosecco
2 oz apple club soda we used Olipop
6 –8 fresh mint leaves
Lime wheel for garnish
Fresh mint sprig for garnish
Thin apple wedge for garnish

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

A dry Prosecco works best because the elderflower liqueur and apple soda already add sweetness.

Here are a few options:

St-Germain: The classic choice for the elderflower liqueur.
La Marca Prosecco: Light and easy to mix.
Mionetto Brut Prosecco: Drier and a good match for sweet elderflower.
Olipop Apple Soda: Works well for the apple club soda portion.
Sparkling apple water: Use it for a lighter and less sweet version.
Cava: Use it instead of Prosecco for a drier finish.

If your apple soda is sweet, choose a brut sparkling wine.

Equipment and Glassware

You only need a few basic tools.

You will need:

A large wine glass gives the mint, ice, and garnishes enough room.

How to Make a Harvest Hugo Spritz

Fill a large wine glass with ice.

Add the mint leaves and gently clap them between your hands to release their aroma.

Pour in the elderflower liqueur and fresh lime juice.

Add the Prosecco and top with apple club soda.

Give everything a gentle stir.

Place the lime wheels along the side of the glass

Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and three apple wedges.

The finished drink should taste floral, fruity, lightly sweet, and sparkling with apple and mint.

Pro Tips

A few small details can help this spritz stay balanced.

Chill the Prosecco first. This keeps the drink cold.
Use cold apple soda. It helps the bubbles last longer.
Clap the mint instead of crushing it. This releases aroma without making it bitter.
Add the bubbly ingredients last. This helps preserve carbonation.
Stir briefly. Too much stirring will flatten the drink.
Use a thin apple wedge. It sits more neatly in the glass.
Use fresh mint. It gives the drink a cleaner aroma.
Serve right away. Spritzes are best while fizzy.

If the drink tastes too sweet, use a drier Prosecco or a less sweet apple soda.

Variations

The Harvest Hugo Spritz is easy to adjust while keeping the same sparkling structure.

Pear Version: Use pear soda instead of apple soda.
Cranberry Version: Add a small splash of cranberry juice.
Drier Version: Use brut Cava and sparkling apple water.
More Herbal Version: Add a little extra mint.
Non-Alcoholic Version: Use elderflower syrup and non-alcoholic sparkling wine.

You can also add a small squeeze of fresh lime if you want more acidity.

When to Serve and Pairings

The Harvest Hugo Spritz works well for fall brunch, Friendsgiving, early-evening gatherings, or casual holiday meals.

Its apple, elderflower, mint, and sparkling wine flavors pair well with lighter savory foods.

Try it with:

Baked brie
Goat cheese crostini
Prosciutto
Roast chicken
Pear tart
Apple galette
Roasted nuts
Shortbread

It also fits well beside drinks such as Spiced Apple Prosecco, Persimmon Aperol Spritz, Sparkling Christmas Cocktail, or Harvest Apple Spritz.

If your menu already includes several rich whiskey cocktails, this gives you a lighter sparkling option.

Storage and Serving Notes

The Harvest Hugo Spritz is best built right before serving.

Keep the elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, and apple soda chilled.

Wash and dry the mint ahead of time.

Slice the lime and apple close to serving.

Do not combine the Prosecco and apple soda too early because they will lose carbonation.

For several drinks, pre-measure the elderflower liqueur into each glass, then add ice, mint, Prosecco, and apple soda when guests are ready.

FAQs

What does a Harvest Hugo Spritz taste like?

It tastes floral, fruity, lightly sweet, and sparkling with apple and mint.

Can I use another elderflower liqueur?

Yes. Any elderflower liqueur with a similar flavor can work.

Can I use Cava instead of Prosecco?

Yes. Cava gives the drink a slightly drier finish.

Can I add lime juice?

Yes. Your original instructions mention fresh lime juice, but no quantity was listed. A small squeeze can be added if you want more tartness.

Can I make it less sweet?

Yes. Use brut sparkling wine and a less sweet apple soda.

More Cocktails to Try

If you like light fall spritzes with fruit, herbs, and bubbles, these drinks fit well into the same lineup.

Spiced Apple Prosecco: Spiced rum, apple cider, and Prosecco make a simple sparkling fall drink.
Persimmon Aperol Spritz: Prosecco, Aperol, persimmon syrup, and thyme make a bittersweet seasonal option.
Sparkling Christmas Cocktail: Pear vodka, lemon, simple syrup, Champagne, and rosemary make a lighter winter drink.
Harvest Apple Spritz: Vodka, apple juice, orange liqueur, sage-ginger syrup, and sparkling water make another crisp fall cocktail.
Cranberry Thyme Spritz: Cranberry, herbs, and bubbles make a bright seasonal drink.

These give you a mix of apple, pear, cranberry, herbs, and sparkling wine for fall and holiday menus.