The Hugo Spritz Is the *It* Drink of Summer (and This Version Has a Surprising Connection to Reese Witherspoon)

Our editors called it back in 2023: The Hugo Spritz is as popular as ever, and with good reason. It’s the ultimate antidote to the summer heat, thanks to its bubbly, refreshing nature. But before you make the O.G. with that bottle of near-flat prosecco hiding in the back of your fridge, consider this alternative recipe that calls for rosé in its place.

You could use any brand you like…but let me put you on Drop of Sunshine’s sparkling rosé, an effervescent game-changer that you’ll want on hand 24/7 once you taste it. Even cooler, the brand was founded in collaboration with Reese Witherspoon’s media company—if it’s tasty enough for Elle Woods, it’s tasty enough for me. Read on for details, plus an easy, lightning-fast recipe for what will become your new go-to summer sipper.

According to Wine Enthusiast, South Tyrol-based bartender Roland Gruber dreamed up the concoction in 2005 by combining prosecco, lemon balm syrup and mint leaves. Lemon balm, a sweet, citrus-y herb, was later traded for elderflower. Since elderberry plants can be tough to source, most mixologists substitute elderflower liqueur, namely St-Germain.

Compared to its zippy Aperol cousin, the Hugo spritz is less bitter and lower in alcohol. The liqueur has a semisweet, botanical profile that pairs well with the crisp, dry wine. But of course, cocktails are endlessly riffable, so you can use any sparkling vino you’d like. (Cava and Champagne are fair game, but I’m partial to sparkling rosé—more on that below.) You can also use lemon or lime as a garnish, skip or double down on the fresh mint and use more or less of the elderflower liqueur to match your preferences.