Carrot Juice with Jamaican Pizzaz
After finally convincing them to take a swig, I just love the expressions on their faces when they realize how delicious it is. Then it’s all over, and the entire pitcher is gone within minutes. One of them exclaimed, “You should bottle this and sell it!” I smiled and politely nodded while they drank away. Okay, I’m not going to profess this is a healthy treat–far from it, though carrots are good for you, right. And ginger is, too. So, if you buy that, let’s get goin’ on this tropical paradise drink.
What it Takes to Make Jamaican Carrot Juice
This recipe is really quite simple to throw together. It also doesn’t need a lot of preparation. But I’m going to show you several ways of making it to make your life even easier.
Carrots – Obviously, you need carrots to make carrot juice. But this veggie is sweeter than most, creating a healthy and delicious drink. Using baby carrots and adding a deliciously ripe apple sweetens it even more.Condensed Milk – We make our fantastic beverage with a can of condensed milk, and we don’t have to add sugar because condensed milk is already sweet. If you want to go the sugar-free route, use evaporated milk or heavy cream instead, and then sweeten it with honey or agave syrup.Or Coconut Milk – A dairy-free or vegan version is absolutely maahhvalous with coconut cream. And it’s surprisingly my favorite because I love coconuts. And I think it gives it a nutty flavor, making it even more appealing.Spices – These guys are the true stars of this show. Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and my homemade vanilla extract take this carrot juice recipe over the top.
How to Make Jamaican Carrot Juice
The Condensed Milk Version The Vegan Version Want to go the vegan route? No problem, but it’s going to take an extra step. Make your own condensed coconut milk, which is relatively easy and can be made ahead of time for fabulicious vegan Jamaican Carrot Juice.
Start the Simmer – Heat the coconut milk and water in a medium saucepan.Simmer Away – Cook on medium heat for about 35, stirring with a whisk often. You may have to reduce the heat to prevent any burns. Don’t step away from the saucepan right now. When the coconut milk thickens, remove the pan from the heat and chill it before using. Make the Carrot Juice – Puree your carrots with the water in a blender on high until there are no more chunks. I used my Blendtec with 3-4 cups of water.Strain the Juice – Sieve the carrot mixture using a cheesecloth, nut milk bag, or clean kitchen towel. Squeeze really tight to extract all the carrot juice. Set the carrot juice aside and discard the pulp.Mix it all Together – Rinse the blender with water to remove any leftover carrot pulp. Then place the carrots juice in the blender with the sweetened coconut milk and all the spices. Pulse for about 30 seconds, so it all comes together.
Recipe Variations
It’s all about customization. And you can do this for your guests, too!
Make-Ahead, Serving, and Storage
You can make carrot juice up to 24 hours ahead and keep it chilled in the fridge, so it will be good and cold when you’re ready to serve. This makes a nutritious drink with breakfast (eggs and bacon) or a fantastic cocktail with a shot of rum and your favorite appetizers. My go-to for this drink is Coconut Shrimp or Baked Jerk Chicken Wings. Leftover Jamaican carrot juice can be kept for up to a week refrigerated. It will lose some of its nutritional value but still be delicious. You can also freeze it for up to eight months; just remember to use a BPA-free plastic container and leave at least half an inch, so it has room to expand when it freezes. Put in the fridge to thaw overnight when you want a refreshing and healthy drink.
Tips and Tricks
Fresh is Best – The freshest carrots I’ve ever found were at the local farmer’s market. The problem with supermarkets is that you never know how long it takes to get them from farm to store. But for carrot juice, your tastebuds will know!Raw or Boiled – If you’re concerned about drinking carrot juice raw, you can steam them before juicing. Then proceed with the recipe that same way.Use the Pulp – If it breaks your heart to throw all that carrot pulp away, don’t worry. You can use it in quick breads or mix it with grated carrots for an extra rich carrot cake.
What to Serve with Jamaican Carrot Juice
I love this drink with an afternoon snack. It’s rather sweet already, so honestly, I prefer savory appetizers to go with this creamy carrot juice.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno PoppersSalmon CroquettesAir-Fryer PlantainsBuffalo Chicken WingsCajun Baked Sweet Potato Fries
More Fabulous Beverages to Try
Sorrel DrinkEggnogHomemade Apple CiderPeach BelliniSouthern Sweet Tea
What’s Your Take?
I have given you a few options for this Jamaican carrot juice recipe because I really want you to try it out. So go ahead because you’re not going to be disappointed. And they make especially delicious cocktails! Then let me know how it works out in the comments below. Cheers!
Watch How To Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”E4ttRgRs” upload-date=”2022-03-10T07:02:56.000Z” name=”Jamaican Carrot Juice” description=”Jamaican Carrot Juice- This is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill carrot juice. It’s a delightfully sweet beverage made creamy with evaporated milk and kicked up on the flavor scale with drool-worthy island spices. Enjoy it for breakfast or as a cocktail. ” player-type=”collapse” override-embed=”false”] This blog post was first published in July 2018 and has been updated with an additional write-up, new photos, and a video.
