Tom Collins cocktail with mandarin and celery

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped celery (about 4 stalks) + leaves for garnish
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 cups gin, chilled
• 1.5 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 6 lemons), chilled + lemon wedges for garnish
• 1 cup freshly squeezed tangerine juice (from about 6 tangerines), chilled
• Chilled sparkling water, for serving

Preparation:

1. Combine chopped celery, sugar, and 2/3 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, 1-2 minutes. Let cool, about 30 minutes.
2. Strain the celery syrup into a pitcher and add gin, lemon, and tangerine juice. Pour into glasses filled with ice and top with soda water. Garnish each glass with a lemon wedge and celery leaves.