Liverpool city centre bartenders are in overwhelming agreement on what the drink of summer 2026 is. Scouse lads in particular have ditched bloating pints and double vodka lemonades in favour of a refreshing spritz with an elderflower twist – the humble Hugo spritz.
A Stroll Down Lark Lane Sparks the Discovery
A walk along Lark Lane during a recent blistering heatwave led to the observation of a young gentleman loudly asking, “Are you getting on them Hugo spritzes? Yeah, I’ll have one too.” This prompted further investigation into the drink’s popularity.
For anyone unfamiliar, a Hugo spritz is a floral cocktail made from prosecco, elderflower liqueur (most prominently St Germain), soda water, and fresh mint. It is a sweeter, more palatable version of the sharp, opinion-dividing Aperol spritz.
Bartenders Confirm the Trend
When the suggestion was posed to Chloe Quayle, bartender at Loretta’s Tavern in Liverpool ONE, she told the Liverpool Echo: “I agree 100%. We order in around 30 bottles [of elderflower] every weekend. The price of pints nowadays is so much more expensive than they used to be, so you might as well order a cocktail. I think men are more open to it now.”
According to the seventh annual Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report, Gen Z is driving cocktail culture in the UK. Bacardi highlighted that 37% of Gen Z consumers and 42% of millennials are having earlier evenings out, with 47% of respondents going to nightclubs less often. Bacardi suggested this means ‘aperitivo occasions’ are becoming more significant in the UK, as shown in the growing demand for spritz cocktails – ranked by Gen Z as their number one cocktail for 2026.
Gen Z Drinking Habits Differ
Davide Zanardo, prestige field sales manager for Bacardi, said: “Gen Z is drinking very differently to the rest of the population and that’s reflected in their top 10 cocktails for 2026. While the Gin & Tonic is ranked the UK’s number one cocktail overall, it doesn’t even feature in Gen Zers’ top 10. Gen Zers choice of cocktails is driven by the occasion, with the spritz ranked number one, thanks to the popularity of the late afternoon aperitivo and the Espresso Martini cocktail ranked joint second.”
Slug & Lettuce and Other Venues Weigh In
The sentiment was echoed at Slug & Lettuce on North John Street. Bartender Jack told the Echo: “We fly through so many St Germain bottles it’s hard to keep track of just how much we make. It’s always been popular with girls but I think more lads are getting onto them through their partners or at bottomless brunch. It’s an easy gateway cocktail for lads to enjoy.”
On the other side of the street at Be At One, Hugo spritzes are popular but not noticeably in huge demand. Bartender Amy Corbett said: “I can’t say I’ve sold too many. It’s an easy choice for bottomless brunches and there’s so many cocktails to choose from now. I think Hugo spritzes are one of the easier options to choose from on a menu, especially when it’s warm as it has been.”
The Botanist in Chavasse Park is not only familiar with the Hugo spritz but has even created its own summer berry variant. Aaliyah Duncan Smith told the Echo: “I’ve made so many this summer already. You think loads of Scouse lads are ordering them for their girlfriends but they end up collecting for themselves. Cocktails used to be uncool but it’s become a lot more common with men.”
Bus Yard Confirms Staying Power
One of Liverpool’s most popular cocktail bars, The Bus Yard in Liverpool ONE, confirmed Hugo spritzes are here to stay. Bartender Sean McDermott told the Echo: “They’ve been around for a couple of years now and have become a staple on most menus. They’re popular with everyone, but we’ve noticed they seem to be especially popular with tourists. A lot of stag parties will order them as a p***take when really they love them. They’re without a doubt one of the most popular cocktails we’ll serve.”
