Hugo Cocktail and South Tyrol, Italy
A fragrant and refreshing cocktail in hand, relaxing and enjoying what is to come. That is how I discovered this really delicious drink from Trentino-Alto Adige (South Tyrol/Südtirol) or better known as the part of Italy where the Dolomite Mountains are. There were a lot of reasons to give each other a toast for celebratory moments. My husband and I celebrated another year together and for a milestone that Apron and Sneakers reached in Facebook. One thousand likes and the counter is still turning. Thank you my friends!
I have been blogging for almost two years and I have posted 379 recipes, this being the 380th. I have come to terms with the rush a food blogger has to live with after cooking a dish. I have learned to cook one portion more to take photos of when time is not so constricted between putting warm food on the table and feeding my family. But I have also learned to run in and out of the kitchen and take pictures as fast as I could before the food is proclaimed inedible. Five minutes tops? That means no time for so much imagination in the creativity department. But sometimes, simplicity works best.
Let me show you this very aromatic drink that originated from Trentino-Alto Adige (South Tyrol), combining two main ingredients of prosecco and elderflower syrup. Aided with the aroma and delicate flavor of lemon (or lime which is more aromatic!) and some fresh mint leaves, you will definitely ask yourself where had this drink been before you discovered it? I asked myself the same question. I indulged myself with its flowery aroma and flavor.
Hugo, a name chosen at random, was first mixed in 2005 by Roland Gruber from Sanzeno Wine & Cocktail Bar in South Tyrol using prosecco, lemon syrup, a few mint leaves and a splash of soda. It was an alternative to the then popular Aperol Spritz.
Edelflower syrup or liqueur were more available than lemon syrup so it eventually evolved to their usage.
Trentino-Alto Adige (Italian) or Südtirol (German) (South Tyrol) is our summer holiday destination every year and I have accumulated so many pictures of the Dolomites from a lot of angles and from different towns of Austria and Italy. It's
my husband's only choice of holiday place for the past 30+ summers and
every year, I tell him and myself that we are going someplace new to
explore. I always lose. It's 3 against 1 or rather 4 against 0. I try
but I also look forward for the beginning of summer when the Dolomite
mountains call us back to their beautiful natural sculptured splendor. It's nature at its very best.
Here are some pictures from the towns in the area, both in Austria and Italy. Trentino-Alto Adige is an Italian region that uses two languages, Italian and German so all the towns have two names. Italian towns are Bolzano/Bozen and Chiusa/Klausen while the Austrian towns are Sillian and Innsbruck.
Hugo Cocktail
Ingredients:Serves 1 glass
- 3/4 glass of cold prosecco or champagne
- elderflower syrup (amount depends on your taste)
- splash of soda water (sparkling mineral water will work well too)
- lemon or lime, a light squeeze for the juice and a wedge to drop in
- a few fresh mint leaves
- 1 thin slice of apple (optional)
- ice cubes
- Mix prosecco, elderflower syrup, soda water & a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
- Add a thin slice of apple, lemon or lime & some mint leaves.
- Serve cold or with ice cubes.
