Just a few weeks ago I had my first Hugo cocktail and now I’m pretty much obsessed by them.
While I rarely order a cocktail, summertime makes me yearn for something even cooler than a frosty glass of white wine. Of course, if the cocktail includes a bubbly dry wine, that’s fine with me. Champagne, Prosecco or Cava are all good. Honestly, I am not even sure I can tell them apart when they are in a cocktail. Anyway, whether it is a bellini, a bubbly blood orange Campari cocktail, or now a Hugo, I’m definitely a fan.
Shabbat & My Hugo Cocktail – Quite a Pairing
My friend Stephanie introduced me to the Hugo at our monthly Shabbat dinner group. The group gets together one Friday evening each month, rotating hosting among the participants. Besides enjoying each other’s company and the food, we set aside time, usually with dessert, to talk about a topic related to Judaism. The host chooses the subject and starts us off. She or he can ask a few questions or describe materials she/he researched. Topics can be academic, spiritual, or just plain fascinating. Last time we discussed Jewish humor. Is there such a thing, and if so, what defines it? Another memorable discussion centered on gratitude.
Speaking of gratitude, I am tremendously grateful to Stephanie for starting the group. We used to do family shabbat dinners with our kids. I loved those dinners. We always began them by lighting Shabbat candles and saying blessings over wine and challah. Then each person at the table, in turn, told the group the best thing was that happened to her/him that week. When our kids left home, I missed those Shabbat meals. These dinners are different, but they still have the warmth and the bedrock Jewish rituals of candle-lighting and Shabbat blessings.
Every Shabbat dinner group event feels like a celebration. The hosts makes the main course and the rest of us provide the other food and drink. There is challah, of course, and plenty of wine. And there is never a shortage of delicious food. Even though we always have appetizers, we rarely have cocktails.
This past month, our Shabbat dinner was on an exceptionally hot evening. Stephanie and her husband Ed brought Hugos for the group, even down to the proper glasses. From the moment, I tasted that delicate, flowery St. Germaine (elderflower liqueur), I was hooked.
The Hugo Cocktail – The Origin Story and Tips on Making a Great Hugo
- A bartender at the Zeno Wine & Cocktail Bar in Naturno, in the Tyrol region of Northern Italy, bordering Austria, invented the Hugo.
- The name apparently comes from the old German word “hugu” meaning mind, heart and spirit.
- The essentials are a sparkling dry white (Prosecco or similar), elderflower (either in a liqueur or syrup form), lime, and mint.
- You can make a mocktail version by substituting non-alcoholic Prosecco and using the elderflower syrup.
- St. Germaine is a well-known and excellent elderflower liqueur. Non-alcoholic elderflower syrup (also known as cordial) is available through Ikea and World Market, both online and in their stores. You can even cook up homemade elderflower syrup if you have access to the flowers.
- The proportions and add-ins vary considerably from one recipe to the next. Elderflower has a light, floral aroma and taste. The lime and mint give the cocktail complexity and an almost mojito-like flavor. Some versions, including the one Stephanie gave me, add gin and seltzer or sparkling water. Play around with ingredients and proportions until the result suits your tastebuds.
Shabbat & Progressive Eats – Celebrations Galore
The Shabbat dinner group and Progressive Eats are two of the anchors of my month. So when Barb, our fearless leader at Progressive Eats, chose the online group’s fifth anniversary as the theme, I was delighted. My contribution to our elegant dinner soirée would link them. After all, what better way to celebrate both than to bring them together?
Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a Progressive Dinner Party. This month’s theme is all about an elegant summer evening celebration, and our host is Barb who blogs at Creative Culinary. This event is celebrating five years of bringing together great cooks, concepts, and especially great food through the Progressive Eats collaboration.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats it’s a virtual party. After the host for the month chooses the theme, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party. Then you can hop from blog to blog to check them out. Come along and see all of the deliciousness we’ve put together for our celebration inspired dishes!
Elegant Summer Evening Soiree!
Beverages
- Hugo Cocktail – Mother Would Know (you’re here!)
- Chicha Morada and Pisco Cocktail – Beyond Mere Sustenance
Appetizers
- Roasted Tomato Crostini with Herbed Ricotta – The Heritage Cook
- Shrimp Cocktail Louis – From a Chef’s Kitchen
Bread
- Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread – Shockingly Delicious
Main Courses
- Steamed Clams with White Wine, Pancetta and Basil – Sarah’s Cucina
Side Dish
- Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction – Spice Roots
- Tomato and Fennel Salad – Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Desserts
- Chocolate and Cherry Cake with Mascarpone Frosting – Creative Culinary
- Lavender Lemon Panna Cotta – The Redhead Baker
- Chocolate Layer Cake with Ganache – That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Hugo Cocktail
This refreshing summer drink features elderflower liqueur and Prosecco, with fresh lime and mint. It's a fabulous way to stay cool.
Ingredients
- Lots of ice cubes
- 1 oz Gin
- 1/2-1 oz Elderflower liqueur (St. Germaine)
- 3-4 oz Prosecco or other dry sparkling white
- 1 oz Seltzer or sparkling water
- Sprig of fresh mint, with a leaf or 2 crushed to release flavor
- 1 slice Fresh lime
Instructions
-
Put a number of ice cubes into a medium-large glass. I like to fill the glass about halfway with ice.
-
Add the gin (if using) and elderflower liqueur (or syrup). Twist a bit of fresh lime in, then pour in the Prosecco and finish it off with a dash of seltzer or sparkling water. Garnish with sprigs of mint and a slice of lime.
Recipe Notes
I've provided a recipe for one serving. Of course, you can make a number of servings at once.
If you use a shot glass, keep in mind that they vary in size. There is no standard size and they vary from just under 1 ounce to 2 ounces.
Sarah Walker Caron says
The Hugo sounds delightful. What a refreshing summer cocktail! I can’t wait to try it. But more than the cocktail, I was really interested in your Shabbat dinner group — what a great way to gather with other likeminded people. Earlier this year, I created a cookbook club. We meet once every few months, all cook from the cookbook and talk about it. It’s a little different from what you’re describing, where you are all connected by faith, but it’s been a wonderful addition to my life. I really appreciate those few hours where we can get food-nerdy together.
Laura says
Sarah, Not surprised that we’re like-minded in the desire to have community around food and faith. (After all, we do both enjoy our virtual community.) I’m also in a monthly cookbook club as well as a book club, so I guess creating community through these kinds of groups feels more right to me than I initially realized. But the Shabbat group is really special because it also ties me (and all the participants) to our faith too. We each find different aspects of the faith that draw us in, but that’s part of the attraction for me.
Liz says
Now, this is one fabulous cocktail! Perfect for a gathering with friends—I’ll save it for my next book club meeting!
Laura says
Liz, I think you and the other bookclubbers are going to love it. If you have time and the inclination to relax before the meeting, try one out and see what proportions of the various ingredients you like best:)
Tamara Andersen says
I love a cold, refreshing cocktail in the summer, and your Hugo Cocktail sounds perfect! I love the idea of your Shabbat dinner group, the interesting topics, and stellar food… I’m a member of an Episcopal congregation, and I’m wondering if we could do something similar. Perfect post!
Dorothy at says
Never heard of a Hugo, but now that’s all I can think about! I do so love St. Germain, so this has my name all over it.
Laura says
Dorothy, I had never tried St. Germaine before – or even heard of it, but you can bet that I ran out to buy my own bottle right after I wrote this post. (The bottle in the photos is Stephanie’s:)
Jane says
I love elderflower and this cocktail sounds like the perfect way to cool off on these hot summer days! Perfect for our celebration and your monthly Shabbat dinner!! I can’t wait to try it!
Barb says
Wow, this sounds right up my alley Laura! I love St. Germain and I have a huge cache of prosecco dying for an opportunity! My next girls event, and this will be done.
Love seeing you combine your two groups…we’re all about community and spreading the food love!
Laura says
Barb, I look to you as my cocktail mentor – hope you’ll let me know what you think after you try it. My communities are such an important part of my life, especially because of the new friends I make. My fondest hope for Progressive Eats is that someday we’ll meet in person – over a delicious meal of course.
Karen says
I just happen to have all of the ingredients Laura. This was meant to be! And your shabbat group sounds like a wonderful tradition.
Ansh says
What a beautiful way to continue to celebrate your culture – the Shabbat group sounds like a beautiful gathering! So enriching for the body and the soul!
I have had many a cocktails, but I haven’t had a Hugo. Yet. Now I have a recipe to try and it will be wonderful addition to a dinner I am hosting. I will send you photos 🙂
Carol Borchardt says
This is definitely a cocktail we need to try! We’ve always had prosecco around since visiting Venice last year and getting hooked on Aperol Spritzes. This sounds equally as refreshing!