Celery Cocktails for Springtime

Story: Emma Janzen

March 15, 2021

Tequila Cocktail — A1A. | Photo by Anthony Nader

highball — Celery Highball. | Photo by Michael Ahmann.

culinaria — Culinaria. | Photo by David Rangel.

kalamazoo julep recipe — Kalamazoo Julep | Photo by Cory Ryan

Charanda Cocktail — Killer on Ice. | Photo by Emma Janzen

Tonic Cocktail — Green Goddess. | Photo by Eric Medsker.

leyenda cocktail — Pisces Rising. | Photo by Max Zagor.

Dirty Martini — Salt & Vinegar Martini | Photo courtesy of The Spare Room

Celery can be a divisive veggie, but it’s been a part of Mediterranean and East Asian diets (and decorations) for thousands of years, and today’s bartenders play up its fresh flavors in syrups, juice, and bitters. Here are 10 recipes that showcase the veggie in a variety of forms.

A1A Jalapeños lend just the right amount of heat to this cocktail.

Celery Highball Aged gin adds richness to this refreshing highball.

Culinaria The classic Margarita gets a savory twist with the addition of fresh-pressed celery juice and a pinch of salt.

Kalamazoo Julep A double dose of celery adds another layer of refreshment in this julep.

Killer on Ice Mexican rum shines when paired with blanc vermouth, agave syrup and bitters.

GM-P Collins A light refresher inspired by a Sasha Petraske’s KT Collins.

Green Goddess A sweet and savory cocktail brightened with tonic water.

Ocean Side Get beachy with this ocean-inspired mix of gin, citrus and celery bitters.

Pisces Rising We’re head over heels for this Peruvian pisco cocktail from Leyenda in New York.

Salt & Vinegar Martini An extra-briny take on the Dirty Martini.

Emma Janzen

Emma Janzen is a journalist, photographer, and book author. Her first book, Mezcal: The History, Craft and Cocktails of the World's Ultimate Artisanal Spirit, was nominated for a James Beard Foundation award in 2018; She co-authored The Way of the Cocktail with Kumiko owner Julia Momosé (2021), contributed to David Wondrich's The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails (2021), and is currently working on The Bartender's Manifesto with Toby Maloney of The Violet Hour (2022). Writing and editing from her home base in the Midwest, she prefers her mezcal neat, her martinis made with gin, and her champagne served in a coupe.