Tangerine Celery Collins Recipes

BLUEBERRY AND THYME COLLINS

Steps:

• In a pitcher, combine the syrup, gin and lemon juice. Refrigerate for 2 hours. To serve, add ice and half of the gin mixture to a martini shaker. Add 2 tablespoons of blueberry jam. Shake well and pour into ice-filled Collins glasses. Add a splash of club soda and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• Gently crush the thyme sprigs and put them in a small saucepan. Add the sugar and apple juice. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 30 minutes. Strain before using.

SIMPLE SYRUP, 3 WAYS

Steps:

• For the ginger-tangerine simple syrup: Put the sugar, ginger, tangerine peel and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat, lightly muddling the solids and stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let cool completely, discarding the solids.
• For the gin simple syrup: Put the sugar, cucumber, juniper berries, coriander seeds and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat, lightly muddling the solids and stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let cool completely, discarding the solids.
• For the raspberry-vanilla simple syrup: Put the sugar, raspberries, vanilla bean and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat, lightly muddling the solids and stirring until the sugar dissolves; simmer 3 minutes. Let cool completely, discarding the solids.

SANDY COLLINS

Steps:

• First make the mint simple syrup: Put 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water into a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat. Bruise the mint a little by rubbing it between your fingers. Add mint to the syrup and set aside until it cools, at least 1 hour. Strain into a clean jar and discard the mint. Cover the jar with a lid. Leftover syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
• To make the drinks, fill 4 glasses with ice. Put 2 tablespoons of mint simple syrup into each glass. Top with about a cup of club soda and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Stir gently and garnish with a mint sprig. Add 1 1/2 ounces of gin to each glass, if desired.