Place the fresh spinach, cilantro, mint, chopped cucumber, and chopped green apple into a blender. Add the fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons (about 1 oz) of cold water or a few ice cubes to help blending if your blender needs liquid.

Blend until smooth

Blend on high until the mixture is very smooth and bright green, about 30 to 45 seconds. If the mix is too thick, add up to 1 ounce (30 ml) more cold water and blend again. Taste and adjust sweetness (add more simple syrup) or acidity (add more lime juice) as desired.

Double strain

Place a fine-mesh strainer or chinoise over a bowl or pitcher and pour the blended green mixture through it, pressing with a spoon or using the back of a ladle to extract as much liquid as possible. For an extra-clear cocktail, strain a second time through a fine mesh or a nut milk bag to remove all pulp and fibers. You should end up with roughly 2 to 3 ounces of green juice concentrate.

Mix the cocktail

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Pour in 2 oz gin (or vodka), 0.25 oz green chartreuse (if using), the strained green juice concentrate (about 2 to 3 oz), and the remaining 0.5 oz simple syrup if you prefer sweeter. Add a small pinch of sea salt and a crack of fresh black pepper. Shake vigorously for 12 to 15 seconds until the shaker is well chilled.

Serve

Fill a chilled coupe or rocks glass with fresh ice (if serving on the rocks) or leave neat. Double strain the shaken cocktail into the glass to remove ice shards and any remaining bits. Top gently with 1 oz club soda or sparkling water if you want a lighter, fizzy drink.

Garnish and finish

Garnish with a lime wheel perched on the rim or a long cucumber ribbon. Optionally express a lime peel over the drink for aromatics. Serve immediately.

Notes

Adjust the herb balance to preference — more mint for brightness, more cilantro for savory depth. If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, omit the spirits and increase the green juice concentrate to 3.5 oz, top with soda, and add 0.5 oz more simple syrup if needed.