Freshly squeezed lime juice, crisp celery, fragrant cilantro and vodka are gently muddled with a touch of simple syrup to create a bright, refreshing skinny cocktail that’s perfect for warm evenings. Light, herb-forward and surprisingly balanced, this Celery Cilantro Cocktail is an excellent choice when you want something low in calories but big on flavor.
Celery Cilantro Cocktail
Celery Cilantro CocktailI like to keep this drink simple: I combined one tablespoon of agave with one tablespoon of water as an easy stand-in for traditional simple syrup. The agave adds a mellow sweetness that complements the bright lime and herbal cilantro without overpowering the celery’s vegetal notes. If you prefer a drier cocktail, reduce the sweetener; for a sweeter finish, increase it slightly.
Because many readers have asked for more low-calorie cocktail ideas, I’ll be sharing a few favorites each month. If you enjoy herb-forward or garden-inspired drinks, this one is worth trying — the fresh ingredients come together to make a surprisingly elegant and refreshing sipper for warmer nights.
I recently took a food styling and photography workshop that inspired me to re-create this cocktail and photograph it. After trying a few small adjustments to the original version, I landed on the proportions below and loved how the flavors paired together.
Pro tip: To make this a mocktail, simply omit the vodka and add extra seltzer to bring the total sparkling water to about 2 tablespoons (or to taste). The result is a lively, alcohol-free beverage with all the herbaceous character of the original.
More Healthy Cocktails
- Citrus Margarita Spritzer
- Watermelon Martinis
- Skinnygirl Margarita
- Pomegranate Martini
- Classic Cuban Mojito
Celery Cilantro Cocktail
Freshly squeezed lime juice, celery, cilantro and vodka are muddled together with a light simple syrup for a delicious, skinny cocktail.
Course: Drinks | Cuisine: American
Prep: 10 mins | Total: 10 mins
Yield: 1 serving | Serving Size: 1 glass
Ingredients
- 1 oz Absolut Citron (or your preferred vodka)
- 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tbsp simple syrup (or 1 tbsp agave + 1 tbsp water)
- 5-inch piece celery (roughly chopped)
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp seltzer
- Ice
Instructions
- In a mixing glass or small pitcher, combine the chopped celery and cilantro. Add the vodka, lime juice and simple syrup (or agave mixture).
- Muddle gently until the herbs and celery release their aromas and some juice is extracted. Avoid over-muddling, which can make the drink bitter.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a glass filled with ice to remove solids and create a smooth drink.
- Top with seltzer, stir gently to combine, and garnish with celery greens, a few cilantro leaves and an optional lime wedge.
Notes & Variations
- Sweetener: Swap simple syrup for agave, honey or a sugar-free syrup to adjust sweetness and calories.
- Spirit swaps: Replace vodka with gin for a botanical twist, or use tequila for a bolder, earthier profile.
- Mocktail version: Omit the vodka and increase seltzer to taste; consider adding a splash of grapefruit or cucumber juice for extra complexity.
- Make-ahead: Muddle herbs and celery with lime and sweetener in advance, then strain and store the liquid in the fridge for up to 24 hours; add vodka and seltzer when ready to serve.
Nutrition (per serving)
Serving: 1 glass | Calories: 135 kcal | Carbohydrates: 19.9 g | Protein: 0.2 g | Fiber: 1.2 g | Sugar: 15.8 g | Sodium: 15.8 mg
Last Step
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More Skinny Cocktails
- Skinnygirl Margarita
- Pomegranate Martini
- Wine Spritzer
- Cuban Mojito