How to make a Hugo drink

 

 

 

On my last trip to Austria I was introduced to a lovely, light, refreshing summer drink called ‘Hugo’.

Ingredients:

02 ml chilled, dry or semi-dry white wine, such as:

• Chardonnay, Viogner, Chablis, Chenin blanc, Savignon blanc, Riesling, Gruener Veltliner

1 tablespoon elder flower syrup
1 teaspoon lime juice
01 ml chilled sparkling mineral water, club soda, seltzer
or  01 ml chilled sparkling wine, such as:

• Champagne, Mousseux, Espumante, Cava, Sekt, Proscecco

2 leaves of fresh mint or lemon balm

Directions:

Rub glass with mint leaves, add other ingredients in order listed. So delightful with friends.

Make elder flower syrup yourself:

Heat 1 cup of water on stove top in a stainless steel sauce pan, and add 1/2 cup of sugar. Gently simmer until sugar is dissolved. Add 1 tablespoon of dried elder flowers, and let steep for at least 1 hour. Reheat liquid to simmer point, boil down liquid slightly on low flame, then strain through a fine stainless steel strainer. Keep syrup in refrigerator, use up within 1 week.

Make your own healthy club soda seltzer sparkling water easily at home after an initial investment:

1 soda dispenser + a box of CO2 soda chargers (they are recyclable) + good quality tab or spring water. Follow directions that come with dispenser, and you are in business.

Flowers of Sambucus nigra, also called Elder.

Exquisitely delicate, floral aroma and flavor, filled with potent pollen.

Fabulous in teas, cordials, and drinks.