Celebrating our Anniversary with a Hugo Spritz #ItalianFWT

This past Saturday was our 34th Wedding Anniversary.  We were busy celebrating Frank's 75th Birthday with a Cinco de Mayo party, so Margaritas and Cervezas were the pours for the night.  The following day, we visited our niece, who is nearly 2 hours away.  We finally had a quiet night alone on the 4th, which is Frank's actual birthday.  We celebrated with a refreshing Italian Cocktail, the Hugo Spritz.

This was perfect, as Jennifer of Vino Travels and the administrator of our Italian Food, Wine, and Travel group had invited us to a Sparkling Springtime celebration featuring Italy's sparkling wines.

While in Italy last fall, we enjoyed sipping Aperol Spritzes at sidewalk cafes, taking a break from all the walking and sightseeing to people-watch.  I am a bitter person, well let me rephrase that....I like bitter flavors, so I enjoyed the Campari Spritzes even more than the Aperol Spritz.

I did not have a Hugo Spritz while in Italy.  I didn't even know they were a thing.  But when Jennifer asked us to celebrate with Sparkling Italian Wines, my first thought was Prosecco, which made me immediately hankering for a spritz.  

A Hugo Spritz is made with St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur and contains mint.  You would think that the drink was named after someone named Hugo.  You would think wrong.  There is no rhyme nor reason for the name.  The bartender who created it was originally going to call it an Otto Spritz, but thought Hugo Spritz sounded better.

It's a tasty aperitif, much like the other spritzers, but less bitter.  I prefer the Campari Spritz, but if you, like my husband, are not a fan of bitter drinks, you may enjoy this alternative.

I'm off to see what Sparkling Wines the others have found to celebrate the Spring weather.  You can join me by following the links below......

• Robin from Crushed Grape Chronicles will feature “San Fermo Prosecco by Bellenda with Roasted Beech Mushrooms, Cheesy Polenta, and a tarragon, basil, lemon/pesto" 
• Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm is “Celebrating our Anniversary with a Hugo Spritz” 
• Martin from Enofylz Wine Blog is sharing "Rethinking Lambrusco: A Metodo Classico Surprise from Cantina della Volta"
• Jennifer from Vino Travels will look at an array of Prosecco with "Bollicine di Primavera: Italy's Finest Sparkling Wines"
• Cathie from Side Hustle Wino is highlighting "Lambrusco-A 21st Century Look at a Century's Old Wine"