Close your eyes for a moment. It’s July. The sun is pressing down hard. Somewhere nearby, water is moving — fast, cold, mineral-clean — over stone. You reach for a glass. It’s pale and sparkling, dressed with a crown of fresh mint and a fat wedge of lime. The first sip is simultaneously crisp and complex: botanical, bright, faintly tart, with a finish that lingers just long enough to make you want another.
That’s the summer of 2026. And that glass? That’s where we’re headed.
The Hugo Spritz has officially taken over. According to Axios, Americans are searching for it more than 110,000 times per month — surpassing the Aperol Spritz as the defining drink of the season. From the rooftop bars of Milan to the cocktail menus of Manhattan, the Hugo Spritz is everywhere. It is light, floral, effortlessly beautiful, and built for long afternoons in the sun.
But here at Marble Distilling Company, perched at 6,400 feet in Carbondale, Colorado — where the Crystal River carves through Yule marble and the air is thin enough to make your head spin — we’ve been crafting something that takes this iconic spritz to entirely new heights. Literally.
For those of legal drinking age, meet the MDC Mountain Spritz: Colorado’s grain-to-glass answer to the Hugo Spritz, built with Crystal River water-distilled spirits and MDC’s handcrafted, vinegar-based Shrubs. Ahead, you’ll find the full origin story of the Hugo Spritz, the complete MDC Mountain Spritz recipe, the science of high-elevation distilling, four variations to match every mood, and a zero-proof option that delivers every bit as much elegance. Let’s begin.
What is a Hugo Spritz?
A Hugo Spritz is a light, floral aperitif originating in South Tyrol, Italy, made with elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, sparkling water, fresh mint, and lime. It has become the most searched summer cocktail of 2026, surpassing the Aperol Spritz in popularity due to its refreshing, low-ABV profile and botanical flavors.
The Cocktail Taking Over Summer 2026: What Is a Hugo Spritz?
Every great drink has an origin story — and the Hugo Spritz’s is one of the most charmingly accidental in modern cocktail history. In 2005, in the small alpine town of Naturns in South Tyrol, Italy — a region that sits culturally and geographically at the crossroads of Italian and Austrian influence — a bar manager named Roland Gruber, known locally as “AK,” was looking for something new. He wanted an alternative to the Spritz Veneziano that was already flooding the bars of the Italian northeast. What he landed on was a combination of lemon balm syrup, Prosecco, and sparkling water — light, herbal, and easy to drink. Over time, as Wikipedia’s entry on the Hugo cocktail records, the lemon balm gave way to elderflower syrup, which was more widely available and, as it turned out, far more seductive. As for the name? “Hugo” was chosen at random. He’d first called it “Otto,” thought better of it, and landed on Hugo because it simply felt right.
It’s a humble origin for a drink that now commands global attention. But the Hugo Spritz’s rise in 2026 feels less like a sudden explosion and more like an inevitability — the natural next chapter for a drinking culture that has steadily shifted toward lighter, more botanical, more sessionable options. The Guardian declared it “the drink of the summer” back in April 2026, noting that it had already infiltrated the cocktail menus of Claridge’s in Mayfair, Sea Containers on the Thames, and even Wetherspoons locations nationwide. Searches for “how to make a Hugo Spritz at home” spiked over 2,200%. The Hugo Spritz hadn’t just arrived — it had taken up permanent residence.
What Makes the Classic Hugo Spritz Recipe Work
The genius of the Hugo Spritz recipe lies in its restraint. Where the Aperol Spritz leans into bold bitter orange and a vibrant rust hue, the Hugo Spritz whispers. It is pale, almost luminous in the glass, and its flavors are layered rather than loud. The classic build is elegantly simple: elderflower liqueur — typically St-Germain or a quality alternative — combined with Prosecco, sparkling water, fresh mint leaves, and a lime wedge, all served over ice in a large wine glass or balloon glass. A standard pour runs roughly 1.5 oz of elderflower liqueur to 3 oz Prosecco and 2 oz sparkling water, though every bartender worth their salt adjusts to taste.
The elderflower is the soul of the drink. Its flavor is floral without being perfumed, sweet without being cloying, and it carries an almost honeyed quality that makes the whole glass feel like it belongs to a summer afternoon that has nowhere to be. Paired with the effervescence of Prosecco and the clean lift of sparkling water, it achieves something rare in cocktail design: genuine refreshment that doesn’t sacrifice complexity.
That contrast with the Aperol Spritz is worth pausing on. The Aperol’s bitterness — beloved by many, divisive for just as many others — places it in the “aperitivo” category in a very traditional Italian sense: something designed to stimulate the appetite with a sharp, grown-up edge. The Hugo works differently. Its botanical sweetness and lower ABV profile make it sessionable in the truest sense. You can have two, maybe three, without the drink ever feeling like it’s pushing back. As George Raju, Director of Bars at Claridge’s, told The Guardian: “In the past year, we have noted that there has been a wider shift among our guests towards drinks with lower alcohol percentages, particularly during the day — a Hugo spritz fits rather neatly into this space.”
Why 2026 Belongs to the Hugo
The timing of the Hugo Spritz’s ascendancy isn’t coincidental. It reflects something deeper about where modern drinkers are heading. The broader cultural pivot toward low-ABV, botanically-driven, visually beautiful drinks has been building for years — driven by a generation of drinkers who want sophistication without excess, who want their cocktails to be as intentional as their food. The Hugo Spritz is the perfect expression of that sensibility: a drink you can order at noon without a second thought, that looks stunning in a photograph, and that pairs effortlessly with everything from antipasti to a simple plate of fruit.
For more handcrafted cocktail inspiration beyond the Hugo Spritz, MDC’s Cocktails with a Conscience recipe collection is a deep well worth diving into.
The world has discovered the Hugo Spritz. Now, Colorado has answered.
Colorado’s Craft Answer: Meet the MDC Mountain Spritz
There is a particular kind of arrogance in taking something the world already loves and insisting you can do it better. And then there is a particular kind of confidence that comes from knowing your place — your actual, physical, geological place — gives you something no one else can replicate. At Marble Distilling Company, we’re operating from the second kind.
The MDC Mountain Spritz doesn’t attempt to copy the Hugo Spritz. It reimagines it entirely through the lens of what Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley offers that nowhere else in the world can: Crystal River water, filtered naturally through 99.5% calcite Yule marble. 100% Colorado-grown grains, distilled at 6,400 feet above sea level where the rules of chemistry themselves are slightly rewritten. And MDC’s handcrafted, vinegar-based Shrubs — the secret weapon that replaces imported elderflower liqueur with something far more complex, far more rooted, and far more interesting.
The Philosophy Behind the Swap
In the classic Hugo Spritz, the elderflower liqueur does two things: it brings botanical floral sweetness, and it brings the alcohol. The MDC Mountain Spritz deconstructs that dual role entirely. The botanical complexity comes from the Shrub — a real-fruit, vinegar-balanced, handcrafted ingredient that delivers layers no single imported liqueur can match. The spirit backbone comes from MDC’s own award-winning vodka or Gingercello, each distilled on-site in Carbondale from Colorado grains and Crystal River water.
The result is a spritz that is simultaneously more complex and more transparent. You taste where it comes from. The Blueberry Lavender Shrub doesn’t taste like a flavor approximation — it tastes like blueberries and lavender, because that’s exactly what it contains, balanced against the bright, clean acidity of real vinegar. The Strawberry Balsamic Shrub offers a rich, fruity depth with a savory undertone that elevates the entire build. The Peach Jalapeño Shrub brings warmth, sweetness, and a slow heat that lingers pleasantly on the back of the palate.
Pair any of these with MDC Vodka — its soft, creamy, Yule marble-filtered finish is purpose-built to let other ingredients shine — and you have a spritz that the classic Hugo can only gesture toward.
Best Taste. Zero Waste. Every Sip.
Here’s something worth knowing about what’s in your glass when you pour an MDC spirit: it was made sustainably in ways the broader spirits industry still hasn’t caught up to. MDC’s proprietary Water Energy Thermal System (WETS) recaptures 100% of process water and reuses distillation energy, saving over 4 million gallons of water annually. One bottle of MDC spirit uses just one bottle of water — compared to industry averages of up to 100:1. That’s not a marketing claim. That’s a verified, documented commitment to sustainability that runs through every aspect of how this distillery operates.
The MDC Mountain Spritz, then, carries that ethos from grain to garnish. The spirit is grain-to-glass, produced without waste. The Shrubs are crafted with real ingredients. The whole drink, from its first bubble to its final sip, is the product of a distillery that has genuinely earned the title of one of the most sustainable on the planet. That’s the kind of thing you can taste — not in a literal sense, but in the quality it enables, the attention it reflects, and the story it tells.
What the Mountain Spritz Tastes Like
The classic Hugo Spritz is soft, floral, and lightly sweet — a warm-weather sigh in a glass. The MDC Mountain Spritz is something else: crisp and layered, with a clean botanical tartness from the Shrub, a fresh mint brightness that rises up on the nose, and a subtle fruit complexity that changes depending on which Shrub you’ve chosen. It has more edge than the Hugo Spritz — not in an aggressive sense, but in the way a well-crafted cocktail has a point of view. This drink knows where it comes from. It tastes like somewhere real.
That somewhere is 150 Main Street, Carbondale, Colorado. The Roaring Fork Valley. The Crystal River watershed. At 6,400 feet, where the sky is different, the air is different, and — as you’re about to discover — the spirits are different too.
Building the MDC Mountain Spritz: The Full Recipe for Home Bartenders
Whether you’re standing at your kitchen counter on a Wednesday evening or hosting a sundeck gathering for a dozen friends this weekend, this recipe is designed to be as approachable as it is impressive. The MDC Mountain Spritz is a drink that rewards a little intention — but it never punishes a relaxed hand. You’ve got this.
Must be 21 or older to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
The MDC Mountain Spritz (For Those of Legal Drinking Age)
Glassware: A large wine glass or balloon glass, filled generously with ice.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz MDC Vodka (for the classic build) or MDC Gingercello (for a spiced, warming variation)
- 1 oz MDC Shrub of choice — Blueberry Lavender for floral elegance, Strawberry Balsamic for rich fruit depth, or Peach Jalapeño for adventurous heat
- 3 oz dry sparkling wine — Prosecco or a quality dry Colorado sparkling wine
- 2 oz sparkling water
- 5–6 fresh mint leaves, gently pressed between palms before adding
- 1 lime wedge for garnish
- Optional: fresh fruit to match your shrub — blueberries, strawberries, or peach slices
Method:
- Fill your large wine glass generously with ice. Don’t be shy — a well-chilled glass is the foundation of a great spritz.
- Add the MDC Vodka (or Gingercello) directly over the ice, followed by the MDC Shrub. Stir briefly — just enough to marry them.
- Pour the sparkling wine in gently, tilting the glass slightly to preserve the bubbles. Bubbles are not decorative. They’re structural.
- Top with sparkling water, again with a gentle pour.
- Press your mint leaves between your palms — firmly, but not aggressively — to release their essential oils without bruising them into bitterness. Tuck them into the glass alongside the ice.
- Garnish with the lime wedge and fresh fruit if using.
- Serve immediately, while the ice is still singing.
Must be 21+ to consume. Drink responsibly.
The Zero-Proof MDC Mountain Spritz (All the Craft, None of the Alcohol)
The beauty of MDC’s Shrubs is that they were designed to do exactly this: stand on their own as the star of a non-alcoholic drink that doesn’t feel like a compromise. There’s no watered-down sensation here, no sweetness gap where the spirit used to be. The Shrub’s real-fruit depth and vinegar-balanced acidity carry the whole drink with grace.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz MDC Shrub — Blueberry Lavender is the recommended starting point
- 4 oz sparkling water or a quality non-alcoholic sparkling wine
- Fresh mint leaves (5–6), pressed as above
- A small squeeze of fresh lime juice
- Ice
Method: Build exactly as the original — fill glass with ice, add Shrub, top with sparkling water, press in mint, squeeze lime, serve immediately. The result is a fully sophisticated, layered, genuinely complex non-alcoholic spritz that earns its place on any table. MDC Shrubs are available online and at the distillery at 150 Main Street, Carbondale, Colorado.
Pro Tips From the Distillery
- Press, don’t muddle, the mint. Muddling releases chlorophyll and turns your mint bitter. A firm press between the palms releases the oils gently — all the fragrance, none of the harshness.
- Match your Shrub to your occasion. Blueberry Lavender is floral and elegant — perfect for afternoon entertaining or a quiet evening on the porch. Strawberry Balsamic is rich and fruit-forward — ideal for pairing with food. Peach Jalapeño is spicy and adventurous — built for those who want their spritz to have a little personality.
- The Shrub replaces both the sweetener and the botanical complexity of traditional elderflower liqueur in a single, more interesting ingredient.
- Chill your glass ahead of time for maximum refreshment — at altitude, drinks warm slightly faster than at sea level, so starting cold matters.
- Explore more recipes at MDC’s Cocktails with a Conscience collection — there’s an entire world of grain-to-glass craft to discover.
Now that you have the recipe in your hands, there’s one more thing worth understanding: why this cocktail tastes the way it does. The secret isn’t just the ingredients. It’s the altitude they were made in.
The Science of the Summit: What 6,400 Feet Does to Your Cocktail
Most people think about altitude in terms of what it does to the human body: the thinner air, the slightly dizzying lightness of being above it all. Fewer people think about what it does to a copper pot still. At Marble Distilling Company, we think about it constantly — because at 6,400 feet, the laws of physics don’t just apply differently. They create a genuinely different spirit.
Lower Boiling Point, Higher Aromatic Complexity
At sea level, water boils at 212°F. At 6,400 feet, it boils at approximately 201°F. That difference of eleven degrees might seem trivial on paper. In a distillery, it is everything. The lower boiling point means MDC’s distillers can work at lower temperatures, which preserves a far greater proportion of the delicate volatile aromatic compounds that give spirits their complexity, depth, and character. These are the compounds that flash off and vanish at higher temperatures — the ones that carry the subtle floral notes, the soft fruit esters, the whisper of the grain itself. At altitude, they survive. They make it into the bottle. They make it into your glass.
As Wine Enthusiast has explored, elevation has a profound and measurable impact on how spirits develop, age, and express themselves. For a botanical cocktail like the MDC Mountain Spritz — where the spirit’s job is to support and elevate floral, fruity, and herbal notes without bulldozing them — this aromatic preservation is not a luxury. It’s the whole point.
Crystal River Water: The Mineral Foundation
Every bottle of MDC spirit begins with water from the Crystal River watershed, filtered naturally through deposits of 99.5% calcite Yule marble — the same rare stone used in the construction of the Lincoln Memorial. This filtration process imparts a mineral clarity to the water that is genuinely exceptional: clean, soft, and structurally pure in a way that synthetic filtration simply cannot replicate.
“One bottle of MDC spirit. One bottle of water. That’s the ratio. The industry average? 100 to one.”
That single-to-one ratio isn’t just an environmental statement — though it is that too. It reflects a philosophy of doing more with less, of respecting the resource that makes everything possible. The Crystal River doesn’t compromise. Neither does MDC.
That mineral clarity carries through into every spirit. When you pour MDC Vodka, you’re tasting water that has traveled through ancient marble. When that vodka meets the Blueberry Lavender Shrub in your Mountain Spritz, the Shrub’s flavors don’t have to fight through a rough or aggressive spirit — they float. They bloom. The water made that possible.
The WETS System: Zero Waste From Grain to Glass
MDC’s proprietary Water Energy Thermal System (WETS) recaptures 100% of process water and reuses distillation energy across the entire production operation, saving over 4 million gallons of water annually. When you pour an MDC spirit into your Mountain Spritz, you’re not just making a cocktail. You’re participating in a closed-loop system of production that has quietly redefined what sustainable distilling looks like at scale. You can explore the full details of MDC’s environmental commitment at marbledistilling.com/sustainability/.
Colorado Grains and the Altitude Advantage
MDC uses 100% Colorado-grown grains, distilled in an old-fashioned copper pot still that rewards patience and craft over industrial efficiency. Colorado’s high-altitude, semi-arid climate causes grain crops to develop higher sugar concentrations — a natural result of the stress the climate places on the plants. Those higher sugars translate into a naturally smoother, sweeter distillate base that requires less intervention, less added sweetener, and less time trying to correct what should have been right from the beginning.
The dynamic barometric pressure fluctuations that come with Colorado’s elevation also affect how spirits age and evolve over time — creating a more complex, dynamic character in MDC’s aged expressions. For the Mountain Spritz specifically, the effect of altitude is more immediate: a vodka with a soft, creamy nose and a finish smooth enough that it steps out of the way and lets the Shrub take center stage.
For a deeper read on what high-elevation distilling actually produces — scientifically, sensorially, and philosophically — MDC’s own Why Altitude Changes Everything is required reading.
The science is clear. The altitude changes everything. And now that you understand what is in the glass and why it tastes that way, it’s time to play — because the MDC Mountain Spritz is not a single drink. It’s a framework for four distinct experiences.
Four Mountain Spritz Variations to Match Every Mood and Moment
One of the quiet virtues of the MDC Mountain Spritz format is how generously it adapts. The architecture — spirit, Shrub, sparkling wine, sparkling water, mint, lime — remains beautifully consistent. But swap the spirit, change the Shrub, and you have an entirely different drink, an entirely different story. Here are four ways to explore the Mountain Spritz across MDC’s full portfolio.
The Crystal Classic
Spirit: MDC Vodka | Shrub: Blueberry Lavender
This is the MDC Mountain Spritz in its purest, most elemental expression. MDC Vodka — filtered through crushed Yule marble for a soft, creamy finish — steps back entirely, letting the Blueberry Lavender Shrub own the glass. Floral, lightly fruity, and effortlessly elegant, this is the variation for Hugo Spritz devotees making their first journey into Colorado craft territory. It speaks the same language as the classic, but with a deeper vocabulary. For those 21+.
The Alpine Zing
Spirit: MDC Gingercello | Shrub: Strawberry Balsamic
MDC Gingercello — a modern, Colorado-made adaptation of the Italian classic, crafted with fresh-cut ginger and bright lemon zest — brings a warming, aromatic backbone to the build. Paired with the rich, fruit-forward complexity of the Strawberry Balsamic Shrub, the result is a spritz with an edge: warm, slightly spicy, ripe with strawberry depth, and finished with a savory balsamic note that keeps you reaching for the glass. For those who like their summer drinks to have a little fire in them. To learn more about what makes MDC’s Gingercello unlike anything else on the market, this deep dive is worth your time. For those 21+.
The Summit Sunset
Spirit: MDC Gingercello Reserve | Shrub: Peach Jalapeño
The Reserve expression of MDC Gingercello is deeper, more complex, more considered — a spirit that has had more time to develop its layers. Paired with the bold heat-and-sweetness of the Peach Jalapeño Shrub, the Summit Sunset is the most dramatic variation in the lineup. Bold, spicy-sweet, with a slow, lingering warmth that builds beautifully against the bubbles of the Prosecco. This is a sundeck drink — the kind you sip slowly as the light goes golden over the Roaring Fork Valley and the mountains turn amber at their edges. For those 21+.
The Zero-Proof Mountain Spritz
Spirit: None | Shrub: MDC Blueberry Lavender
The fourth variation asks nothing of the spirits cabinet and delivers everything the others promise. MDC Shrubs were designed for exactly this moment — to stand alone as the full, complex, sophisticated heart of a non-alcoholic drink that doesn’t apologize for its sobriety. The Blueberry Lavender Shrub, topped with sparkling water, dressed with pressed mint and a squeeze of fresh lime over ice, is a fully realized summer drink. The Shrub’s vinegar-based acidity creates the structural tension that spirits normally provide; the real fruit delivers genuine depth. As MDC’s own product description puts it: “crafted with real fruit and balanced acidity to deliver complex, zero-proof drinks designed for sipping, mixing, and modern non-alcoholic occasions.” Order your Shrubs online and make this one tonight.
All four variations are best experienced in person at Club Marble, MDC’s on-site tasting room and bar at 150 Main Street, Carbondale, Colorado — where the distillers who made every ingredient in your glass are never far from where you’re sitting.
Your Questions Answered: MDC Mountain Spritz FAQ
Some questions deserve direct answers. Here are the ones we hear most often.
What is a Hugo Spritz?
A Hugo Spritz is a sparkling aperitif originating in South Tyrol, Italy, made with elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, sparkling water, fresh mint, and lime. Created in 2005 by bartender Roland Gruber, it is the most-searched summer cocktail of 2026 — surpassing the Aperol Spritz with over 110,000 monthly US searches and a 2,200% spike in home recipe searches.
How is the MDC Mountain Spritz different from a Hugo Spritz?
Where the Hugo Spritz uses a commercial imported elderflower liqueur, the MDC Mountain Spritz substitutes handcrafted MDC spirits — distilled at 6,400 feet from 100% Colorado grains and Crystal River water — and MDC’s vinegar-based Shrubs for botanical complexity. The result is a more layered, place-specific, grain-to-glass spritz that carries the terroir of Carbondale, Colorado in every sip.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version of the MDC Mountain Spritz?
Yes — and it’s genuinely excellent. MDC Shrubs are designed precisely for this. Use 1.5 oz of any MDC Shrub (Blueberry Lavender is a perfect starting point), top with 4 oz of sparkling water, add pressed mint leaves and a squeeze of fresh lime, serve over ice. Full flavor. Full complexity. Zero proof. Available at marbledistilling.com/shrubs/.
Where can I buy MDC Shrubs?
MDC Shrubs — Blueberry Lavender, Strawberry Balsamic, and Peach Jalapeño — are available online at the MDC Shopify store and in person at the distillery at 150 Main Street, Carbondale, Colorado.
What MDC spirit works best in a spritz?
MDC Vodka is the ideal base for its clean, soft, Yule marble-filtered profile — it lets the Shrub take center stage without fighting for attention. MDC Gingercello is the choice for those who want warmth, spice, and more character in their glass. Must be 21+ to consume.
Is Club Marble open for cocktails?
Yes. Club Marble at 150 Main Street, Carbondale, Colorado is MDC’s on-site tasting room and bar — and the single best place to taste the MDC Mountain Spritz as it was meant to be experienced, made by the people who crafted every ingredient. Check current hours and upcoming events before you visit.
What makes MDC a sustainable distillery?
MDC’s proprietary WETS system recaptures 100% of process water and reuses distillation energy, saving over 4 million gallons of water annually. One bottle of MDC spirit uses one bottle of water — compared to the industry’s 100:1 standard ratio. Full details live at marbledistilling.com/sustainability/.
The Bottom Line: Colorado Perfected the Spritz
Close your eyes again. It’s July. The Crystal River is running cold and fast somewhere below you. A pale, sparkling glass is in your hand. This one is built from water that traveled through ancient marble, spirits distilled at altitude, and Shrubs made with real fruit and a craft distiller’s sense of purpose.
The world discovered the Hugo Spritz. Colorado perfected it.
The MDC Mountain Spritz isn’t just a recipe — it’s a philosophy: best taste, zero waste, made at altitude, rooted in the Roaring Fork Valley and everything that makes this particular corner of Colorado unlike anywhere else on earth. It carries the ethos of a female-led, award-winning, grain-to-glass distillery that has never once taken the easy path.
Whether you build it at home tonight with a bottle of MDC Vodka and a jar of Blueberry Lavender Shrub, or you let Club Marble build it for you on a sun-drenched barstool in Carbondale — every sip of the MDC Mountain Spritz is a sip of somewhere real.
Must be 21+ to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
Ready to Pour? Here’s Where to Start
Shop MDC Shrubs — the heart of the Mountain Spritz — online now:
→ marbledistilling.myshopify.com
Come taste it in person at Club Marble in Carbondale, Colorado:
Visit Club Marble →
Browse MDC’s full lineup of award-winning, sustainable spirits: (21+ only)
Shop All Spirits →
Discover more Cocktails with a Conscience:
Explore MDC Recipes →
Stay with the stills — book a night at The Distillery Inn:
Book Your Stay →
For the enthusiast who wants it all — join the Barrel Club:
Join the Barrel Club →
All spirit-related products are intended for adults 21 years of age or older. Please drink responsibly.
