Celery Soda might sound unusual at first. I remember watching Alton Brown make it on Good Eats and thinking, “Celery what?” Still, the idea stuck with me.
It wasn’t a big commitment to try: two tablespoons of celery seed, two cups of sugar and a cup of water. I enjoyed imagining the flavor before I ever made it. When I finally did, I wished I’d tried it sooner.
It’s not just good.
It’s surprisingly great.
The flavor is more complex than I expected. Pinning it down is tricky — it slips away each time you think you’ve got it. But here’s my take.
The first impression isn’t the sweetness, even though it’s there. The syrup greets you with a light, herbal scent that hints at celery without shouting it. On the palate, that fresh herbal quality is present but subtle; if you didn’t know it came from celery seed you might not identify it immediately. One noticeable detail is the delicate, tongue-tingling sensation you associate with celery — it appears in the soda made from the syrup. It’s more of a soft “Is that celery?” than a bold “That’s celery!”
What is unmistakable is how refreshing it is. A tall glass on a hot day is cooling in a way that’s crisp and clean. It won’t replace a cucumber for sheer coolness, but it delivers its own bright, vegetal chill. This syrup will be a favorite on the hottest summer days.
Alton Brown notes that celery syrup is also excellent in cocktails. Feel free to experiment — you might invent a new favorite drink.
This homemade soda is also a healthier, simpler alternative to many commercial sodas. It’s inexpensive to make and free of high-fructose corn syrup, artificial additives and long lists of unpronounceable ingredients. Some may call Celery Soda exotic, but it’s genuinely refreshing and satisfying.
One light-hearted note: there’s a long-standing rumor that celery can act as an aphrodisiac. Take that with a grain of salt — or not. Use your discretion.
If this recipe goes on your to-try list, don’t let the warm months pass without making it.
Celery Soda
Scroll to the bottom of this post for an easy print version of this recipe.
from Alton Brown
Ingredients:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons freshly crushed (lightly) celery seed
- chilled unflavored seltzer or soda water
Combine the sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the crushed celery seeds. Cover and let the mixture steep off the heat for one hour.
After steeping, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve lined with dampened cheesecloth or coffee filters. If necessary, strain in stages and take care not to overfill the filter to avoid letting seeds into the syrup.
Pour the strained syrup into a jar, seal with a tight lid and chill completely before using.
To make a glass of soda:
Place 2 tablespoons of chilled syrup into a tall glass with about 1/4 cup chilled seltzer or soda water. Stir well so the syrup fully integrates. Add ice and top off the glass with more chilled soda water. Serve immediately.
Store any unused syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to six months.
Celery Soda
Rebecca Lindamood
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tablespoons freshly crushed celery seed lightly
- chilled unflavored seltzer or soda water
Instructions
To Make the Syrup:
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Stir sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
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Remove from heat and stir in the celery seeds.
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Cover and steep off the heat for one hour.
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Line a fine-mesh sieve with damp cheesecloth or coffee filters and strain the syrup to remove seeds.
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Transfer the strained syrup to a jar, seal tightly, and chill before using.
To Serve as Soda:
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Combine 2 tablespoons chilled syrup with about 1/4 cup chilled seltzer in a tall glass.
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Stir until fully combined, add ice, and top with more chilled soda water.
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Serve immediately.
Nutritional information is an estimate. Calculate nutrition with the actual ingredients you use if desired.
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