CELERY SOUR MOCKTAIL

Serve this bright, refreshing nonalcoholic mixed drink in a chilled cocktail glass, or stretch it by pouring it over ice in a lowball glass and topping with a splash of soda water or tonic.

CELERY SIMPLE SYRUP

• 1 cup sugar

• 4 whole allspice berries

• 10 black peppercorns

• Pinch of flaky sea salt (optional)

• 1 cup celery leaves (or ½ cup celery leaves and ½ cup parsley leaves)

• For the Chamomile tea base:

• 2 chamomile tea bags (or 2 tablespoons loose leaf tea)

• 2 (3-inch) pieces lemon peel

COCKTAIL

• ½ lime, cut into quarters

• ½ celery stalk, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

• ¾ ounce celery simple syrup

• 3 ounces chilled Chamomile tea

• Ice

Prepare the celery simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar, allspice, peppercorns and salt (if using) with 1 cup water. Heat over low, stirring frequently, just until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the celery leaves and parsley leaves. Set aside to steep at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the solids. (You should have about 1½ cups.) Keep it in the refrigerator, tightly covered in an airtight container, for up to 3 weeks.

Prepare the chamomile tea base: In a tea kettle or small saucepan over high heat, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the tea and lemon peels. Allow to steep for 10 minutes, then remove the tea bags and peels or, if using loose-leaf tea, strain through a finemesh sieve and set aside to cool completely. Keep it chilled in the refrigerator, tightly covered in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.

Prepare the cocktail: Ina shaker, add lime, celery pieces and the simple syrup. Muddle to smash and release the lime’s juices. Add the chilled chamomile tea and ice. Cover and shake vigorously about 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora or coupe glass.

Notes: Reserve the extra celery simple syrup and use it as a replacement for regular simple syrup in drinks, nonalcoholic or spirited.

If you don’t have time to make the celery simple syrup, substitute in standard 1:1 simple syrup, though the resulting sour will lose some of its vegetal nuance.

Makes 1 drink