Apple Cider Rosemary Hugo Spritz

The prefect batch cocktail for holiday hosting has arrived! The Apple Cider Rosemary Hugo Spritz combines everyone’s favorite fall flavors with a floral elderflower liqueur. And some bubbles, because we’re celebrating! Whether for Thanksgiving, a holiday gathering, or a fall or winter birthday, this Spritz Pitcher is an easy make-ahead cocktail that literally everyone will enjoy.

How to Make an Apple Cider Rosemary Hugo Spritz

1. In a large pitcher, combine the elderflower liqueur, apple cider (homemade or storebought), rosemary syrup, and fresh rosemary leaves. Stir to combine.
2. Add the apple slices and cinnamon stick. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Just before serving, slowly pour in the chilled Prosecco and gently stir.
4. Fill individual glasses with ice and pour in the spritz.
5. Top each glass with a splash of soda water and garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and apple slice.

What is a Hugo Spritz?

A Classic Hugo Spritz follows the 3:2:1 ratio of the more well-known Aperol Spritz but is a sweeter, lighter option. It’s made with 3 parts Prosecco + 2 parts Elderflower Liqueur + 1 part club soda. It’s usually garnished with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wheel. For my fall version of a Hugo Spritz, I added non-alcoholic apple cider and a homemade rosemary syrup. I’m garnishing with rosemary and apple instead of mint and lime.

Apple Cider Rosemary Hugo Spritz Ingredients

Apple Cider

The difference between apple cider and apple juice is it’s processing. Apple cider is raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurized and is usually made in the fall during apple harvest. It therefore has a shorter shelf life than apple juice, but is darker, richer, and has a stronger apple flavor. Some come sweetened, so look for ones that are unsweetened to ensure your Spritz isn’t too sweet. Note that we’re NOT using alcoholic apple cider or sparkling apple cider.

Prosecco

Prosecco is a sparkling white wine with fresh, floral notes of apple. I’d recommending using a Brut or Extra-Dry Prosecco (or other sparkling white wine of your choice) to avoid the Spritz being overly sweet. Use non-alcoholic sparkling wine for a low-ABV version.

Elderflower Liqueur

Elderflower liqueur is sweet and floral, making it the perfect liqueur to pair with apple cider, Prosecco, and rosemary. I usually use St. Germain.

Rosemary Syrup

Making your own rosemary syrup is so much easier than it might sound. If you can boil water, you can make your own syrup and it will be so worth it! Infusing a simple syrup with fresh rosemary intensifies the herbaceousness of this woody herb far more than just using fresh sprigs is the cocktail.

Soda Water

Soda water is just plain bubbly water. You could also use unflavored seltzer water or sparkling water. If you use club soda, it will have a slightly saltier, mineral flavor whereas tonic water will be bittersweet. As an alternative to all of these unflavored bubbly waters, you could top your Apple Cider Rosemary Hugo Spritz with ginger beer!

Tips for Making the Best Apple Cider Rosemary Hugo Spritz

• Making this ahead? Combine everything except the Prosecco and soda water up to 24 hours in advance. Add the bubbles just before serving so your spritz stays beautifully crisp and effervescent!
• Short on time? If you don’t have time to make the rosemary syrup, add more fresh rosemary to the pitcher to infuse ahead of time and swap it for equal amounts maple syrup or regular simple syrup.
• Make your own homemade apple cider for the best, freshest, and most flavorful cocktail. There are plenty more apple cider cocktails to use it in, so it won’t go to waste.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This Apple Cider Rosemary Hugo Spritz Pitcher is perfect for fall hosting.
• Because you can make most of this cocktail ahead of time, it’s perfect for busy holiday hosting like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
• Everyone loves anything with apple cider in it, so you can be sure it’ll be a crowd-pleaser.
• It’s unique! Combining warm fall flavors like apple and rosemary with elderflower liqueur is an unusual mashup of flavors that just works.