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Why You’ll Love This Apple and Carrot Refresher
- Only 5 ingredients: carrots, apples, water, lemon and ginger.
- No juicer needed: a regular blender does the job.
- Naturally sweet: the apples and carrots provide all the sweetness, with no added sugar.
- Refreshing kick: fresh ginger and lemon keep it bright and zesty.
- Your choice of texture: drink it smoothie-style with the pulp or strain it for a clear juice.
- Kid friendly: the vivid orange color and fruity taste win over picky drinkers.
Ingredients for Apple and Carrot Refresher
- 4 medium carrots, scrubbed or peeled, trimmed and chopped
- 2 red apples, cored and chopped
- 1 cup cold water
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled
Ingredient Notes
Carrots: Fresh, firm carrots give the sweetest flavor and brightest color. If your carrots are organic and well scrubbed, there is no need to peel them. Baby carrots also work; use about 2 cups. Apples: Sweet red apples balance the earthy carrots. For a tarter drink, use one green apple. Leave the peel on for extra color and nutrients, just remove the core and seeds. Water: Cold water keeps the juice refreshing and helps the blender run smoothly. Swap some of it for coconut water or ice for a frostier drink. Lemon: Fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor and helps keep the color vivid. Lime works too. Ginger: A 1-inch piece adds a pleasant warm kick. Start with less if you are sensitive to spice, or add more for a bolder drink.How to Make Apple and Carrot Refresher
Step by Step
- Prep the produce. Wash the carrots and apples. Trim and chop the carrots into 1-inch pieces, core and chop the apples, and peel the ginger with the edge of a spoon.
- Add to the blender. Place the carrots, apples and ginger in a high-speed blender. Pour in the cold water and lemon juice.
- Blend. Start on low, then increase to high and blend for 60 to 90 seconds, until completely smooth. Add a splash more water if the blender struggles.
- Strain (optional). For a lighter juice, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or nut milk bag, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible. For more fiber, skip this step.
- Serve. Pour into glasses over ice or into clean glass bottles and enjoy right away.
Tips for the Best Apple and Carrot Refresher
Keep the Pulp When You Can
Straining removes much of the fiber, so keep the pulp whenever possible. Unstrained, the drink is thicker and more filling, like a light smoothie. If you prefer it smoother, blend a little longer and add a few extra tablespoons of cold water instead of straining.Chill Everything
Refrigerate the carrots and apples ahead of time so the juice is cold straight from the blender.Chop Small for Smooth Results
Carrots are dense. Smaller pieces blend faster and more evenly, especially in a standard blender.Taste and Adjust
Add more apple for sweetness, more lemon for brightness or more ginger for heat.Use the Leftover Pulp
If you strain, stir the pulp into muffins, oatmeal, pancakes or soups so none of the goodness goes to waste.Blender Juice vs Juicer Juice
A juicer separates the liquid from the fiber, giving a thin, clear juice. A blender keeps the whole fruit and vegetable, so the drink has more fiber and body. This refresher gives you both options: enjoy it unstrained for the most fiber, or strain it for a classic juice texture without buying special equipment.Variations
- Citrus boost: add the juice of 1 orange for extra sweetness and vitamin C.
- Golden turmeric: add a small piece of fresh turmeric or 1/4 tsp ground turmeric with a pinch of black pepper.
- Green twist: blend in a handful of spinach; the orange color will turn darker but the flavor stays fruity.
- Tropical: add 1/2 cup frozen pineapple or mango.
- Sparkling: strain the juice and top each glass with chilled sparkling water.
- Frozen pops: pour into ice pop molds for a healthy frozen treat.
What to Serve With It
Serve this apple and carrot refresher with breakfast alongside eggs, yogurt and granola bowls, overnight oats or whole wheat toast. It is also a great afternoon pick-me-up with a handful of nuts or a light salad at lunch.
Storage
Refrigerator: Fresh juice tastes best right away, but you can store it in a sealed glass bottle or jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Fill the bottle to the top to limit air and keep the flavor fresh. Make ahead: Chop the carrots, apples and ginger the night before and keep them in a sealed container in the fridge. In the morning, just add water and lemon and blend. Freezing: Freeze the juice in ice cube trays for up to 2 months. Blend the cubes into smoothies or add them to water. Natural separation is normal. Simply shake or stir before drinking.Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to peel the carrots and apples?
No. Scrub them well and leave the peels on for extra fiber and nutrients. Peel the carrots if they are not organic or have a bitter skin.Can I make apple and carrot refresher without a blender?
Yes. Use a juicer for the carrots, apples and ginger, then stir in the lemon juice and a little cold water.Is it better strained or unstrained?
Unstrained keeps much more of the fiber, which helps you feel full. Strained is lighter and smoother. Both are delicious, so choose the texture you enjoy most.Can kids drink this?
Yes. For little ones, use less ginger or leave it out for a milder, sweeter drink.Can I add a sweetener?
It is naturally sweet, but you can add a little honey or a pitted date if your apples are tart.Apple and Carrot Refresher Recipe Card
Servings: 2 | Prep time: 10 minutes | Total time: 10 minutes | Calories: about 130 per serving, unstrained (estimate) Ingredients: 4 medium carrots, 2 red apples, 1 cup cold water, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1-inch piece fresh ginger.- Wash, trim and chop the carrots and apples; peel the ginger.
- Blend everything with the cold water and lemon juice until smooth.
- Strain if you like, or keep the pulp for more fiber.
- Serve cold over ice.
