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Bar fight: Hugo cocktail takes aim at Aperol in UK summer of spritz

Hugo spritz sales nearly tripled in the UK, overtaking Aperol as the year's favorite drink.

By The Guardian·Aug 8·theguardian.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Qwen 2.5 (3B)

Bar fight: Hugo cocktail takes aim at Aperol in UK summer of spritz
Image: theguardian.com

British sales figures show the Hugo elderflower cocktail is taking off, with demand for Aperol also increasing. The Hugo has become a popular choice for millennials and Gen Z.

Why it matters

The rise of the spritz trend in the UK highlights changing drinking habits among younger generations and could impact the market share of traditional drinks like Aperol.

The Hugo drink is becoming popular because it's sweeter and people like drinking it during the day instead of at night. It's like a new favorite drink for young people who want something lighter.

Analysis

{"#Hugo_Spritz_Trend":"- The Hugo spritz, made with elderflower liqueur, prosecco, soda water, and mint, has seen a significant increase in sales. In the three months to June, sales nearly tripled compared to the same period last year.\n- This trend is driven by the rise of the 'daycap,' a lighter drink consumed in late afternoon rather than at night. The popularity of spritzes among younger generations (18-29) has contributed to this growth.\n- Campari, which owns Aperol and other spritz brands, reports that sales of its aperitif brands have increased by more than 10% in the first six months of 2026. Sales of St-Germain, used in the Hugo cocktail, grew by over 135%.\n- The popularity of spritzes is also reflected in supermarket and high street sales data, which show an increase in demand for these drinks.","#Gen_Z_and_Spritz":"- Gen Z has embraced the spritz trend, making it their number one choice despite ranking sixth overall. This shift in consumer preference could impact traditional drinks like Aperol.\n- The rise of the Hugo spritz is attributed to its sweeter taste and popularity among younger consumers, who are more likely to order lighter drinks during the day.","#Industry_Trends":"- Industry data suggests that about eight Aperols are sold for every St-Germain mixed Hugo. This indicates that while the Hugo has gained traction, it still faces stiff competition from traditional spritz brands like Aperol.\n- The Campari Group remains at the forefront of the spritz movement, with sales of their aperitif brands increasing by 10% in the first half of 2026. However, they acknowledge that Aperol continues to dominate the market."}

Key points

  • Hugo spritz sales nearly tripled in the UK compared to last year
  • Gen Z prefers the Hugo over other drinks
  • Sales of St-Germain, used in the Hugo cocktail, grew by over 135%
The Upside

If the trend continues, more people might start preferring the Hugo spritz over Aperol, which could lead to increased sales for both drinks but with St-Germain potentially gaining market share from Aperol.

The Downside

However, if traditional brands like Aperol continue to dominate, it could make it harder for new brands like the Hugo to gain a significant foothold in the market.

Originally reported at

theguardian.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagseconomyalcoholfood-drink-industry

Author

The Guardian

Intelligence analysis by

Qwen 2.5 (3B)

Published

Aug 8, 2026

Source

theguardian.com

Share

Topics

economyalcoholfood-drink-industry

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