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It’s the summer of the Hugo Spritz! ♡

We keep spotting this refreshing cocktail on cocktail menus everywhere lately. And it’s easy to see why — light, floral, citrusy, and gently bubbly, it tastes like pure summer in a glass. Originating in the South Tyrol region of northern Italy, I read that the Hugo gained popularity as a lighter, more aromatic alternative to the slightly bitter Aperol or Campari spritzes. I love it because it’s effortlessly elegant, not too sweet, and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.

Mix up a single serving or batch it in a pitcher (similar to sangria vibes) for easy entertaining. It’s the kind of cocktail that fits right in at patio hangouts, dinner parties, or any moment that deserves a little sparkle. Let’s spritz!

Recipe Tips

When making a Hugo Spritz, here are 5 quick tips to keep in mind:

1. Use chilled ingredients. Start with cold prosecco, club soda, and even chill your glass ahead of time if possible — it keeps the drink crisp and cool without diluting it too quickly.
2. Pick a dry prosecco. Since elderflower liqueur adds sweetness, I recommend a brut or extra dry prosecco to keep the cocktail balanced and refreshing.
3. Go easy on the elderflower. A little St-Germain goes a long way, so if you’re sensitive to floral flavors, I recommend starting with slightly less elderflower liqueur the recipe calls for — you can always add more later.
4. Adjust to taste. That said, all of these ingredients are flexible, so feel free to tinker with the amount of mint, citrus and/or club soda to taste.
5. Have fun with garnishes. Use as many or as few as you like — I always enjoy a few lemon rounds and extra mint!

Hugo Spritz Variations

Here are 5 fun variations you can try to put a fresh spin on the classic Hugo Spritz:

• Berry Hugo: Muddle a few fresh strawberries or raspberries into the glass along with the mint.
• Rosé Hugo: Replace the Prosecco with a sparkling rosé.
• Basil Hugo: Swap the mint for fresh basil leaves (or try a mix with both mint and basil).
• Gin Hugo: Add a splash of gin (0.5 to 1 ounce) for a stronger, botanical vibe.
• Cucumber Hugo: Add a few slices of fresh cucumber.
• Spicy Hugo: Muddle a few slices of fresh jalapeño or serrano peppers with the mint.

Hugo Spritz

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

• Author: Ali
• Prep Time: 3 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins
• Total Time: 3 mins
• Yield: 1 serving 1x

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Description

This classic Hugo Spritz recipe is the perfect balance of floral, citrusy and bubbly.

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Ingredients

• 1 ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur
• 6 fresh mint leaves
• ice 
• lemon or lime slices
• 4 ounces chilled prosecco
• 1 ounce chilled sparkling water or club soda
• lemon or lime slices and fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Muddle the mint. Add the St-Germain and mint leaves to a large wine glass. Use a cocktail muddler to very lightly muddle the mint and release its aroma.
2. Finish the cocktail. Fill the glass halfway full of ice and a few lemon or lime slices. Add the prosecco and stir to combine. Top with the sparkling water, then garnish with extra lemon or lime slices and mint if desired.
3. Serve. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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Equipment

Cocktail Jigger

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Cocktail Muddler and Spoon Set

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Looking for a creamy, cozy, iconic cocktail to serve this time of year? Let’s mix up a White Russian. ♡

This classic cocktail comes together easily with just three ingredients — vodka, Kahlúa and cream. Its creamy finish and subtly sweet coffee notes make it the perfect drink for sipping on a relaxed evening at home or serving at a get-together with friends. And best of all, it comes together easily in just a few minutes.

The classic White Russian recipe below is my go-to, but the best part of making homemade cocktails is that you can adjust any of the ingredient amounts to taste. I’ve also included some popular variaions on the classic cocktail below, if you’d like to play around with swapping in different spirits or add in fun flavorings. (Peppermint White Russians are always a favorite this time of year!) So the next time you’re craving a Kahlúa cocktail, grab some vodka and cream and let’s get to mixing! (more…)

If you’re looking for a cocktail that’s the perfect mix of cozy yet sophisticated, you can’t go wrong with a classic amaretto sour. ♡

We made a round of these the other day and I was reminded how this drink checks all the boxes of everything I love in a good whiskey cocktail this time of year. The sweet almond notes of the Amaretto mix beautifully the rich depth of the bourbon, creating a warm base for the cocktail that’s perfectly balanced with a bright zing of fresh lemon juice and a frothy egg white topping. If you lean towards a sweeter cocktail, you can add in an extra splash of maple or simple syrup. Or, my favorite, include a few dashes of bitters for extra aromatics. Garnish with a lemon zest and a Luxardo cherry or two, and this lovely cocktail will be ready to enjoy in minutes!

It’s one of those cocktails that’s always such a crowd-pleaser whenever we offer up a round. So the next time you’re craving a cozy cocktail to warm up, bring out the bourbon and let’s make some amaretto sours!

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Warm weather cocktail season has arrived and I vote we celebrate with a gorgeous fruit-filled Pimm’s Cup! ♡

If you don’t already have a bottle of Pimm’s No. 1 in your bar cart, I highly recommend picking up a bottle of this fruity, botanical, gin-based liqueur to make some refreshing cocktails this summer. It’s the starring ingredient in a Pimm’s Cup, a fruit-filled sparkling cocktail that’s famously the signature drink of Wimbledon, traditionally mixed with either lemon soda or ginger ale and then layered into a highball glass with a rainbow of fresh fruit and cucumber slices and herbs. It’s a showstopper of a drink that’s delicious, refreshing, not-too-strong, and incredibly easy to make. And if you happen to be serving a group, it’s easy to batch into a pitcher as well.

I’m partial to making Pimm’s Cups with a mix of freshly-squeezed lemon juice and a bold ginger ale (or ginger beer), in order to amp up the fresh lemon-ginger flavors in this drink, but you’re welcome to go the lemon soda route if ginger flavor isn’t your thing. And while this certainly isn’t traditional, I highly recommend enjoy muddling in a few slices of jalapeño if you enjoy an extra kick. Delicious!

However you choose to make your Pimm’s Cup, it’s certain to be a lovely and refreshing drink for summertime. So grab a bottle of Pimm’s and some colorful fruit and let’s make a cocktail together!

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This has been the year of lavender syrup here in our house. ♡

Ever since I fell in love with our neighborhood coffee shop’s lavender iced latte last summer — and then pivoted to making my own here at home for a fraction of the cost (recipe coming tomorrow!) — steeping a quick batch of homemade lavender simple syrup has become a regular part of our weekly routine. And over time, we’ve come to find that it’s useful for so many other delicious treats beyond coffee too!

You can use lavender syrup to add a hint of floral flavor to your favorite cocktails. (I’m especially partial to a lavender gin fizz or lavender mojito.) You can add a splash to a refreshing glass of lemonade, iced tea, or sparkling water. You can whisk lavender syrup with powdered sugar to form a lavender glaze, or whip it with heavy cream to make lavender whipped cream. Or you can customize the syrup with different sweeteners or play around with infusing rose, mint, vanilla, or lemon into the syrup too. The possibilities are endless and so much fun!

Most of the time, we keep things simple here in our house with a basic 3-ingredient lavender simple syrup made with dried lavender buds, sugar and water, which won’t steer you wrong. But I’ve included lots of different ideas and tips below to help craft whatever version of this syrup you may love best.

So grab some culinary-grade dried lavender and let’s make a quick batch together. I promise you can find many delicious ways to put it to good use!

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Let’s warm up with a hot mug of Irish coffee! ♡

This classic 4-ingredient cocktail is always such a fun and cozy drink to serve during the wintertime — especially if you’re making a big round of drinks for a group — and it’s very simple and straightforward to make as well. Simply brew up your favorite coffee, mix it with a shot of Irish whiskey, add in your desired amount of sweetener, and top with a generous dollop of whipped cream. (I also highly recommend adding some chocolate or nutmeg shavings on top too!)

If you happen to be sensitive to caffeine in the evenings like I am, you’re more than welcome to brew a pot of decaf to make these cocktails caffeine-free. And if you’re looking for a fun twist on the classic, it can also be fun to swap whipped cream for a scoop of melty vanilla ice cream and serve these as floats instead.

Let’s make some Irish coffee! (more…)

Another warm cocktail recipe that needs to be in your winter rotation — hot buttered rum! ♡

I have to admit I was late to the party when it came to this classic rum cocktail, having spent years usually turning to mulled wine or a hot toddy once the weather grew cold. But while living in Europe, we were (re)introduced to various versions of this creamy spiced cocktail and were quickly reminded why it’s been such a favorite now for centuries. It’s absolutely delightful! And, as it turns out, a super convenient cocktail for large groups if you happen to be entertaining around the holidays.

This colonial-era cocktail is said to have originally been made by floating a pat of butter atop a mug filled with hot water and rum. But most modern versions usually kick things up a notch by adding a spiced butter batter to the cocktail, made with warming spices, sugar, a pinch of salt, and — the surprise starring ingredient — a few scoops of vanilla ice cream. It only takes a few minutes to mix up a batch of the butter batter, then you can pop it in the freezer to have on hand all season long to mix with rum and hot water for an impromptu single cocktail or a big batch for a dinner party with friends. We’ve found it to be such a fun drink to serve at winter gatherings and everyone always loves the creamy, frothing topping served with a cute cinnamon stick for garnish.

So if you’re looking for a cozy cocktail to warm up with this season, grab a bottle of rum and let’s make a batch!

Hot Buttered Rum Ingredients

Here are a few quite notes about the hot buttered rum ingredients you will need to make this recipe:

• Dark rum: I really recommend using dark rum in this recipe, which has a more complex and intense caramel flavor than light rum. That said, light rum will also totally work here, or you can use a spiced rum which will add to the spices in the butter batter.
• Spiced butter batter: Our spiced butter batter butter is quick and easy to make with creamy vanilla ice cream, white and brown sugars, a mixture of warming spices (ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves) and a pinch of sea salt. We’ll freeze the mixture, and then you’re welcome to just dip in for a scoop whenever you’d like to make a cocktail!
• Boiling water: We’ll add boiling water to the rum and frozen butter batter mixture to ensure that the drink is nice and warm.
• Garnish (optional): Finally, you’re welcome to garnish your drink with a cinnamon stick or star anise if you’d like, or you’re also welcome to add a swirl of whipped cream on top.

Hot Buttered Rum Tips

Full instructions for how to make hot buttered are included in the full recipe below, but here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:

• Use a good-quality rum: The flavor of your rum will really shine through in this cocktail, so I recommend a mid- to higher-priced dark rum whose flavor you love.
• Adjust ingredient ratios to taste: Feel free to give the cocktail a taste and add more rum, butter batter or water to taste.
• Sweeten to taste: I find this cocktail to be plenty sweet as written, but you’re welcome to stir in some extra sugar or maple syrup (or your desired sweetener) if needed.
• Serve in pre-warmed mugs: To keep the cocktail nice and hot, I recommend warming your mugs beforehand.

Hot Buttered Rum Variations

Here are a few optional variations that you are welcome to try when making this hot buttered rum recipe:

• Add ginger: Stir a thin slice of fresh ginger into your cocktail for an extra kick of ginger spice.
• Add citrus: Add an orange slice to the cocktail or add some orange zest to the spiced butter batter for extra citrus.
• Use a different liquor: Use your favorite whiskey, brandy or cognac in place of the rum.
• Use tea: Use your favorite tea (I would recommend a black tea) in place of the water.
• Make it dairy-free: Use your favorite dairy-free vanilla ice cream and butter in the spiced butter batter.

More Warm Winter Drinks To Try

Looking for more cozy warm drinks and cocktails to try this winter? Here are a few of our favorites:

• Hot Toddy
• Mulled Wine
• Hot Chocolate
• Homemade Apple Cider

Hot Buttered Rum

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Ali
• Prep Time: 1 mins
• Cook Time: 2 mins
• Total Time: 3 mins
• Yield: 1 serving 1x

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Description

Hot buttered rum is the perfect cozy cocktail to warm you up on a winter’s night and perfect for easy entertaining.

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Ingredients

Individual Cocktail Ingredients (Single Serving):

• 2 ounces (1/4 cup) dark rum
• 2 tablespoons spiced butter batter
• 6 to 8 ounces boiling water
• optional: cinnamon stick or star anise, for garnish

Spiced Butter Batter Ingredients (32 servings):

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream, lightly softened
• 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

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Instructions

1. Make the spiced rum batter. Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir (or use an electric beater to mix) until evenly combined and smooth. Freeze the batter in an airtight container until ready to use.
2. Mix the cocktail. Briefly stir together the rum and 2 tablespoons of the spiced rum batter in a heat-safe mug. Add your desired amount of boiling water and stir until the batter is melted and evenly combined.
3. Serve. Serve warm and enjoy!

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Notes

Prep time: Prep time listed above is for a single cocktail, with the spiced butter batter previously mixed. The butter batter takes about 10 minutes to prep on its own.

When it comes to cozy bourbon cocktails, a classic whiskey sour is hard to beat. ♡

This classic drink is said to date all the way back to the 1870s, and has remained a favorite since then for good reason. It balances the deep, rich notes of whiskey with tartness from freshly-squeezed lemon juice and a hint of sweetener. And then here in our house, we’re partial to the version (also called a Boston Sour) made by shaking the cocktail with an egg white for a velvety, frothy, creamy layer on top. It always looks so elegant garnished with a lemon peel and cocktail cherry and comes together easily in just a few minutes!

The beauty of making your own whiskey sour is that you can tinker with the ingredient ratios to make your cocktail exactly as sweet or tart as you prefer. And while the egg white topping is optional, it absolutely makes this cocktail in my opinion, so I highly recommend giving it a try.

Let’s make some whiskey sour cocktails! (more…)