Green With Envy

For the cocktail

• 1/4 cup peeled, chopped Granny Smith apple
• 2 ounces celery infused gin (see below for recipe)
• 1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice (I used Meyer)
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 2-3 dashes Angostura Bitters
• Dash Tabasco

1. Muddle apple in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add liquid ingredients.
3. Fill shaker with ice, close and shake vigorously for 5-7 seconds, until shaker is frosty and cold. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with tender celery stalk if desired. Enjoy and repeat. Sharing optional.

For the celery infused gin

• 1 6-inch length of crisp green celery stalk (end trimmed)
• 1 6-inch length of an inner celery stalk with leaves (end trimmed)
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed green anise seed (can substitute fennel seed)
• 2 cups gin

1. Cut celery into two-inch lengths. Combine ingredients in an airtight container, such as a quart jar. Allow mixture to infuse for 2 days, shaking jar a few times a day. On the second day, strain out solids, return infused gin to jar and refrigerate until needed.