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.
Whenever I introduce this Jamaican Carrot Juice to someone who’s never tried it before, there is always a fair bit of skepticism. The ones into healthy food just love the idea of carrot juice, while the others are totally against taking a sip. They can’t believe I would offer them carrot juice instead of all the other delectable cocktails I make.
Contents…Recipe Ingredients |
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
- Make the Carrot Juice – Puree your carrots with the water in a blender on high until there are no more chunks. My Blendtec did a great job with 3-4 cups of water. (Photos 1-4)
- 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. (Photos 5-7)
- Mix it all Together – Rinse the blender with water to remove any leftover carrot pulp. Then place the carrots juice in the blender with all the other ingredients. Pulse for about 30 seconds, so all the ingredients come together. (Photos 9-14)
- Chill until ready to drink. Give it a stir before pouring.
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!
- Waste Not, Want Not – If you like a thicker beverage, you don’t have to strain the carrot pulp out. Mix all ingredients in the blender and call it a smoothie.
- Add a Splash of Rum – Turn this deliciousness into a cocktail with a dash of rum, and coconut and spiced rum are even better.
- Kick up the Spices – Cardomom and cloves go really good in this mix. The spices in my Thai Chai Latte would also be an excellent twist.
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.
FAQs
OMG, this stuff is so good for you! The most famous is that it’s good for eyesight. On top of that, it’s supposed to be good for your immune system, heart, skin (Hey, ladies!), and liver. It’s so chock full of nutrients that it can’t help but do your body good.
Okay, there’s a slight caveat to carrot juice. It’s really good for you in moderation, but not too much—about four ounces a day. That said, I think the worst thing that could happen with too much carotene is that your skin turns orange.
It depends on your likes and dislikes. Personally, if the carrots are fresh, I just scrub them a little to make sure they’re clean and good to go. If my carrots are bigger and look a little tough, I find the skin just a tad bitter, so I peel them.
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 Poppers
- Salmon Croquettes
- Air-Fryer Plantains
- Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Cajun Baked Sweet Potato Fries
More Fabulous Beverages to Try
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
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This blog post was first published in July 2018 and has been updated with an additional write-up, new photos, and a video.
Alan says
Yoooo!! I dont usually comment on much but Imma.. You Just Smashed It!! Made it at a family BBQ cos I knew either way it wouldnt go to waste but boii I didnt expect it to be such a hit.
Credit to you for this fun recipe.
I want MORE!! haha
imma africanbites says
Yaaay! So happy to hear that, Alan! Now you remind me to make this one.
ImmaculateBites says
Skip step 1 and 2 . Start with step 3
Kenya Newsome says
I absolutely love carrot punch.. I brought it for the first time a couple weeks ago and I’ve been hooked every since then OMG so good ! So I had no choice but to look up Farmer Brown recipes.. I couldn’t find him but I did find the recipe for the carrot juice punch that I’m loving so much. And it also helps that I love healthy great tastimg food and drinks
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Thanks for sharing Kenya!!!
N says
I am looking forward to trying this recipe however, I wanted to know if a small amount of rum could be added to it ? I tasted something similar to this somewhere local and they have it with rum. Thanks
ImmaculateBites says
Yes to rum! I do it all the time ! Cheers!
steph says
I would greatly love to try this and do hope its baby friendly as well…
(a) Please could you also help out with your favorite spices OR spices to have in your pantry….
(b) I saw your creole-seasoning and would try this out… is the black pepper same as the Cameroon pepper sold in naija or the store bought black pepper…
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for bringing that up. Will work on it. It’s the store-bought pepper- not the traditional one.
Mercy says
Hi, Can I use honey in place of sugar? I stopped taking sugar. Will it still taste as sweet? I am a huge fan of yours by the way.. I am from Kenya. ๐
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Mercy! Yes , you can. I make it for hubby with honey he prefers it over sugar. And he loves it. Thanks for taking the time to let me know. Happy Cooking!!!
Didina Gnagnide Angorinie says
Hey Imma it looks delicious! I shall be making it when it’s summer but I also wanted to tell you that you can probably re-use the carrot pulp in carrot cookies! I have a recipe for carrot cookies that is da bomb and has very little oil as well. It has grated carrots, buckwheat flour, almonds, cornflakes and raisins. If you don’t like buckwheat (which, admittedly, is the least tropical flour there is born near lake Baikal, and in Italy it was originally eaten in the alpine region of Valtellina) use whichever you prefer. I shall be posting it when I find my recipe book….
Didina Gnagnide Angorinie says
So here is the recipe (the original was in an Italian site, maybe “La cuochina sopraffina”?) in grams:
120 gr all purpose flour (gf variation by me: 85 gr buckwheat flour and 35 gr finely ground almonds – honestly here I prefer my version)
80 gr cornflakes ground to small pieces
110 gr brown sugar (dark brown, light brown or a combination you like)
40 gr light EVO oil or another light tasting oil of your choice
50 gr raisins
1 egg (vegan sub “flax egg” works well here)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
One big carrot (about 120 gr of carrots/carrot pulp here)
1 tsp baking powder
A small pinch of salt (many cornflakes are already salty)
Grate the carrot with a mixer or use the carrot pulp.
In a bowl mix the egg with the sugar. Add oil, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, grated carrot and ground cornflakes. Mix well, and sieve the flours in, then baking powder and raisins. Mix again. If you use buckwheat and almonds, you might want to put the bowl in your fridge for 30 mins or so to make it firmer. Adage spoonfuls of the mix on a parched oven tray, with some distance inbetween, then flatten them with a spoon (these cookies won’t spread much on their own). Bake at 180ยฐ C (350ยฐ F) for 15-20 mins.
ImmaculateBites says
You know what I like about this Didi? It’s healthy! This one is a am definitely going to make -especially in summer. I do a lot of experimenting and baking in summer because I always have my nieces and nephews love over. I’ll see what they say about this.
Thanks for sharing
You going to keep me busy in the kitchen
Didina Gnagnide Angorinie says
Thank you Imma! The best part of this recipe is that it’s healthy for a cookie but still tastes great. Use good quality almonds for the best results (I love almonds, brown sugar and carrots). Feel free to tweak the sugar to your liking (but I remember it being kust right).
Your nutella banana muffins were a success even with my friend! I gave her the recipe.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Didi!!! Will do.
Patricia Ellis-McLeod says
i live this recipe ive been trying for years to make Jamaican carrot juice and it always came out awful. With your recipe i finaly got it and it is delicious. i give the five stars. Thank you so much
Pat
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Peaches Stamp says
I want to make this. If I juice the carrots do I still have to use the 3-4 cups of water?
ImmaculateBites says
Yes you do have to use water. Adjust the water to taste. Start with 1 cup and taste test as you go until you hit the sweet spot.
Brian Baugh says
Hello. I’m about to try this recipe. Can I just double the ingredients for a pot luck I have at work tomorrow? Thinking about adding some white rum to it
ImmaculateBites says
You sure can. White rum Fantastic!!!
Shah says
I have tried many time to make carrot juice and this is the best thank you. So simple straight to the point.
ImmaculateBites says
Fantastic! Iโm so glad to hear that shah, thank you so much for coming back to let me know!
carmen says
I have a juicer …. Would it work if I juiced the carrots and then mixed the condensed milk and other ingredients?? I would love to make this but I don’t have a blender, since I have a juicer
ImmaculateBites says
I don’t see why not. Make sure everything is thoroughly mixed.
Arlene says
I grew up on carrot juice with condensed milk, water, spices and rum.
Today I made this with pumpkin (as it is the season) with the coconut milk and the ginger. Oh My!!! My Mum would have loved this.
Thank you for sharing. This is a keeper.
ImmaculateBites says
Thank you for trying it out and providing feedback!!!
Jasmine Parris says
I lovrcthis juice but i actuallycdont put essence and nutmeg but i do use condense milk to sweeten and your quantity is far pass mine as its only for me so i use one carrot. How would i add essence and nutmeg to one carrot
ImmaculateBites says
Just half the quantity.
halima says
IN Nigerian THERE IS NO JAMAICAN CARROT SO WHAT CAN I USE
ImmaculateBites says
You can use any carrots , just wash and peel before blending
shernell says
I love carrot juice and your version is very creamy and delicious looking.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Shernell!
Etima says
I am in Nigeria, please what natural preservatives can I put in the juice,I am your fans.
ImmaculateBites says
Sorry I am clueless when it comes to preservatives.