leavesfrom 4 bushy mint sprigs, rinsed, plus extra for garnish
2tablespoonsorganic cane sugar
1/4cupstrained lemon juice (from 1-2 lemons)
1poundcelery stalks (1 small head, or 1/2 of a very huge head), leaves ok, washed well
ice cubes
2-3cupssparkling water
Instructions
In the bowl or pitcher in which you will catch your celery juice, muddle together the mint, sugar and lemon juice until the mint is bruised. Place the pitcher under the spout of your juicer; the lemon will prevent the celery juice from oxidizing.
Juice the celery into the pitcher. Strain the mixture, squeezing the liquid out of the mint leaves. Pour the liquid into ice-filled glasses, top off with sparkling water to taste, and garnish with some fresh mint leaves.
This soda is best served shortly after being made, as the celery juice will eventually oxidiz
Notes
Inspired by Chris Tunstall.Conventional celery is one of the "dirty dozen" most contaminated vegetables, so I especially recommend using the organic stuff here (though if it were up to me, there would only be organically grown produce).I like this drink straight up, but try it with a shot of gin or tequila if you like.Grocery store celery tends to be more mild and watery than farmer's market celery, which can be dark green and have a sharper flavor. I used the mild stuff here. If using more intense celery, you could try adding more sugar, lemon and sparkling water.Oh, and don't try to be clever and juice the mint, too – mine oxidized instantly and turned the whole drink a revolting pond-scum green. Muddling is the way to go.If you don't have a juicer, see instructions in the post above for making juice without one.Nutritional values are based on one of two large drinks.