Ditch the Hugo Spritz — there’s a better elderflower cocktail for summer

It’s the perfect summer drink (Picture: Robertson Buckhaven) Fan of a Hugo Spritz? Well, stop slapping fresh mint into your glass and listen up. The Hugo (which was the new Aperol Spritz) is on the way out. Sorry, but don’t shoot the messenger. It’s time to put your Prosecco down; you’ve poured quite enough Hugos over the last few summers, don’t you think? Allow me to introduce you to the anti-Hugo, also known as The Stavros, and your new favourite cocktail. What is a Stavros? Ditch the Hugo and try this instead (Picture: Robertson Buckhaven) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. It’s actually a four-ingredient riff on a Hugo. Instead of Prosecco and mint, it includes rosé, elderflower (cordial or St. Germain for added alcohol), lime juice, and ice, with a rosemary sprig garnish. The drink was shared online by chef John Gregory-Smith, who filmed himself making the drink while on holiday with his fiancée in Greece earlier this summer. Hence, the ultra-Hellenic name, The Stavros. Credit where credit is due, though: it was actually John’s fiancée, Srdan Rogosic, who first invented The Stavros on one of their past Greek holidays. So we very much have Srdan to thank. The video has gone all sorts of viral on social media, racking up 1.2 million views on TikTok and hundreds of comments from thirsty viewers who branded the cocktail ‘gorge’ and ‘divine’. A few also suggested adding a shot of vodka or gin. But it’s the drink’s refreshment factor which is the key to its moreishness. According to John, who was languishing at a high-luxe Greek villa whilst filming his video: ‘It’s the perfect summer cocktail to enjoy by the pool and drink all day long.’ And having tried it myself while on holiday in France, I can 100 per cent agree with him. How do you make one? Srdan Rogosic has very kindly shared his Stavros recipe with Metro. Here’s what you’ll need: Ingredients (serves 1) 150ml chilled rosé 30ml St-Germain Juice of half a lime Soda water Rosemary sprig Lime wheel Method Fill a large glass with ice, pour in the rosé, St-Germain, and fresh lime juice. Stir gently and top up with soda water. Add more St-Germain to taste. Rub the rosemary between your hands to release the essential oils, then position it in the glass. You can also add a lime wheel as garnish, up to you. A toast to Srdan! (Picture: Robertson Buckhaven) My verdict on The Stavros I stuck to Srdan’s recipe, building the cocktail in an Aperol glass (to give it that holiday feel). I used a ‘Gris’ wine, which is essentially the lightest-coloured form of dry rosé. A pinch of pink Himalayan rock salt, stirred in at the end, lifted the elderflower notes and made the drink even more fruity. I also added a sprig of fresh peppermint, which worked with the rosemary to really complement the herbaceous DNA of the drink. The result was a balanced, light, and thoroughly refreshing drink you could session all day long if you wanted to. Disclaimer: they are deceptively strong (I filmed myself making it, so I had to drink a few glasses), especially in the heat, so keep a glass of water on hand. Even if, like me, you completely ignore it. I declare The Stavros the new drink of summer. A toast to Srdan! Why do we love elderflower drinks in Britain? We are a nation obsessed with the hedgerow. While the rest of Europe cultivated vines or lemon groves, the beating British heart has always belonged to the wildness of the countryside. Scrumping and foraging are our love language, and the elderflower is our ultimate prize. That, and blackberries. Along with cut grass and the smell of rain on dry earth, elderflowers signal summer, and there’s something so very British about their smell. Researchers analysing elderflower drinks have identified multiple volatile aroma compounds, as many as 59 in a study conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, creating a surprisingly complex aroma. Many of those aroma compounds are floral in smell, found in actual flowers and fruit, such as Cis-Rose Oxide found in both roses and lychees. This might explain why elderflower works so ridiculously well in drinks. It tastes floral and sweet, without going full ‘eau de granny’ on us. Add bubbles, which famously carry flavour around, and the flavours become even more intense. And that’s why the Hugo Spritz has become one of the fastest-rising spritzes in Britain, with sales reportedly tripling in the three months to June 2026. That would also explain why sales of St Germain, the Belle-Epoque-styled French elderflower liqueur, have also increased 135.5% and are now selling better in Britain than in any other country. Nicknamed ‘bartender’s ketchup’, because they put it on everything, it is tropical-smelling (lychee, in particular), botanical-tasting, yet less bitter than a G&T or Aperol Spritz. It seems to hit the summer sweet spot for us, making it a delicious way to beat the heat. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Deals of the Day Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? 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