After another long, cold, and incredibly wet spring, summer has finally arrived here in Italy. Along with some crazy tropical storms in the afternoon. I could almost imagine being in Florida.
For me, summer means swapping out my wardrobe, a constant battle with mosquitos and embracing the sensory overload of this country when the sun finally stays out.
Whether I’m staying in a beach town for the weekend with the smell of fried seafood drifting from a nearby trattoria, dragging my family to yet another Roman ruin, or wandering up the winding, cobbled inclines of a medieval hilltop village packed with stone houses and wild bougainvillea, Italy in July is magic.
It’s the salt air, the sand stuck everywhere, the heavy afternoon heat, and the slow evening magic of local life waking up as the sun starts to go down.
No matter where you find yourself at the end of the day, there is one perfect ritual to mark the transition into the evening: the aperitivo.
There’s a perfect companion for those golden hour moments: the Hugo Spritz.
My favourite at the moment, while I still love an Aperol Spritz for an aperitivo, sometimes I prefer something sweeter than the bitter orange glow of Aperol.
The Hugo is a refreshingly floral and bubbly cocktail that embodies the lightness and joy of an Italian evening. It’s simple to make, utterly delicious, and perfectly suited for sipping as the last rays of sun warm your skin, whether you’re by the sea or overlooking an ancient piazza.
The Refreshing Hugo Spritz Recipe
This delightful cocktail is incredibly easy to make and requires just a few ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 3 parts (or 60ml) Prosecco
- 1 parts (or 20ml Elderflower Syrup (Sciroppo di Sambuco)
- 1 part (or 20ml) Soda water or sparkling water
- Fresh mint leaves
- Lime wedges or slices
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a large wine glass with ice cubes.
- Add the fresh mint leaves (a small handful, rubbed between your fingers to release their aroma).
- Pour in the elderflower syrup.
- Add the Prosecco.
- Top with soda water or sparkling water.
- Gently stir everything together.
- Garnish with a slice or wedge of lime.
Salute! Enjoy your perfect Italian summer moment.
Over to you: What does summer look like where you are right now? Is it pure bliss, or are you also currently battling a small army of mosquitoes and dodging afternoon downpours? Let’s swap summer survival stories (or cocktail recipes) in the comments!
