RECIPE: JUDGEMENT


 

Brightly tart and grassy like a freshly cut meadow. Smooth malted earth notes on the finish.

prep time: 1 hour serves: 4 difficulty: medium

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup (240 ml) water
  • 1½ tsp (3.5 g) celery seed, finely ground until their aroma fills the air
  • 1½ tsp Genmaicha (Japanese blend of green tea and roasted rice)
  • ½ cup (105 g) white sugar or equivalent substitute
  • 5 Granny Smith apples
    • 4 cored
    • 1 cored and quartered for garnish
  • 1 lime, peeled and pith removed
  • 2½ cups (600 ml) soda water

DIRECTIONS

Celery and Tea Cordial (yields 1¼ cup or 300 ml)

  1. Bring water to a boil, then add celery seeds and Genmaicha. 
  2. Remove from heat, cover and let infuse for 20 minutes.
  3. Pass through a fine sieve. Lightly press the seed paste to release more liquid. (Pass through a coffee filter to remove any celery seed specks if desired.)
  4. Add sugar, stir to dissolve, and let cordial cool.

Tart Green Apple Juice (yields ¾ cup or 180 ml)

  1. Juice (or puree in a blender) 4 Granny Smith apples and lime. (The fifth apple will be used for garnish.)
  2. Strain to remove solids, then cover and refrigerate immediately.

Judgement Blend (yields 2 cups or 500 ml)

  1. Combine celery and tea cordial with tart apple juice in a medium-sized bottle or container. 
  2. Seal and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Apple Fan Garnish

  • ¼ Granny Smith
  1. Slice apple quarter lengthwise into 4 pieces.
  2. Holding the stack of slices together, drive a skewer through one end and fan out the other side.

Per Serving

  • 3 oz (90 ml) Judgement blend, chilled
  • 5 oz (150 ml) soda water
  1. In a tall 12 oz glass full of ice, pour in soda water, then the Judgement blend.
  2. Gently stir and garnish.

NOTES

  • Freshly juiced apple quickly browns due to oxidation, but adding acid in the form of lime juice slows the process.
  • If Granny Smiths are unavailable, substitute with any other variety while using one fewer apple and one more lime.

While drinking, ask yourself: When you find yourself at the precipice of a new beginning, how do you transform your initial anxiety into intentional enthusiasm?