Introduction
Beet juice is a super healthy and nutritious drink packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, some people find the earthy, dirt-like taste of beets off-putting. Luckily, there are many simple ways to make beet juice taste better so you can enjoy all of its nutritional benefits.
In this article, we’ll explore some easy methods for improving the flavor of beet juice using natural ingredients you likely have on hand. With just a few extra ingredients, you can transform your beet juice into a delicious and refreshing beverage you’ll look forward to drinking each day.
Add Fruit Juices or Purees
One of the easiest methods for improving the taste of beet juice is to mix in a sweet fruit juice or pureed fruit. The natural sugars in fruits can help balance out the earthy flavors of the beets. Here are some fruit options to consider adding to your beet juice:
| Fruit | Amount to Add |
|---|---|
| Orange juice | 1/4 to 1/2 cup |
| Pineapple juice | 1/4 to 1/2 cup |
| Apple juice | 1/4 to 1/2 cup |
| Pomegranate juice | 2-4 Tablespoons |
| Mango puree | 1/4 to 1/2 cup |
| Strawberry puree | 1/4 to 1/2 cup |
| Banana puree | 1/4 to 1/2 cup |
Citrus juices like orange, grapefruit, or lemon can help brighten up the flavor of beet juice. Sweet tropical juices like mango, pineapple, or papaya also pair well with beets.
Berries are great for adding a touch of tart flavor. Blend fresh or frozen berries into a puree and mix a few tablespoons into your beet juice. Strawberries, raspberries, and pomegranate arils all work nicely.
Mix in Herbs and Spices
Adding fresh or dried herbs and spices is an easy way to enhance the flavor of beet juice. Many herbs complement the earthy taste of beets. Here are some herb and spice ideas to try:
| Herb/Spice | Amount to Add |
|---|---|
| Fresh mint | 5-10 leaves |
| Fresh basil | 5-10 leaves |
| Cinnamon | 1/4-1/2 tsp |
| Nutmeg | 1/8-1/4 tsp |
| Ginger | 1/2 to 1 inch minced |
| Clove | 1-3 whole |
| Cardamom | 1-3 pods, crushed |
Mint adds a refreshing burst of flavor and helps cut the earthiness of the beets. Basil also adds a nice touch.
Warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove complement the root vegetable flavor of beets. A touch of cardamom also brings a lovely aroma.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with spice blends like garam masala, curry powder or pumpkin pie spice. Start with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon and adjust to taste.
Include Fresh Lemon or Lime Juice
A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice works wonders for brightening up beet juice. The acidity helps balance the earthy, mineral-like taste of the beets.
Aim for around 1-2 tablespoons of lemon or lime juice per cup of beet juice. Start with less and add more to suit your tastes.
You can juice the lemons/limes fresh or use pre-bottled juice. Meyer lemons have a sweeter, more floral flavor that pairs nicely if you can find them.
Sweeten with Natural Sweeteners
Adding a touch of sweetener can help mellow out the strong earthy flavor of beets. Stay away from refined sugar or artificial sweeteners. Instead, sweeten your beet juice with one of these healthy natural options:
| Sweetener | Amount to Add |
|---|---|
| Maple syrup | 1-2 Tbsp |
| Raw honey | 1-2 Tbsp |
| Medjool dates | 1-3 pitted |
| Stevia | 1/4-1/2 tsp powdered |
Maple syrup and raw honey both add lovely flavor. Blend in 1-2 tablespoons per cup of juice.
For a fiber boost, add 1-3 pitted Medjool dates to your beet juice and blend well. The dates subtly sweeten while adding creaminess.
Stevia powder is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener that won’t overpower the beet flavor. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and add more if desired.
Mix with Yogurt or Milk
For a creamier, sweeter beet juice, try blending it with yogurt or milk. Dairy helps mellow out the earthy edge.
Plain Greek yogurt works wonderfully – aim for about 1/4 to 1/2 cup yogurt per 1 cup juice. Non-dairy yogurts made from coconut milk or almond milk also pair well.
You can also blend beet juice half and half with any milk – dairy milk, almond milk, oat milk, etc. The milk fats and subtle sweetness nicely balance the juice.
Include Fresh Ginger
Ginger is a natural partner for beets. Its spicy, bright flavor helps cut through the dense earthiness of beet juice.
For 1 cup of beet juice, peel and roughly chop around 1/2 to 1 inch of fresh ginger root. Add to your blender along with the beets and juice as normal.
You can adjust the amount of ginger to taste – some people enjoy a strong spicy ginger kick while others prefer just a hint of ginger flavor.
Make a Beet-Carrot Juice Blend
Carrot juice balances out the strong flavor of beets nicely. For the sweetest flavor, do an equal mix of 50% beet juice and 50% carrot juice.
If the earthy beet flavor is still too pronounced, tweak the ratio to be 60% carrot juice and 40% beet juice. Or do a 70/30 carrot to beet ratio.
You can juice the carrots and beets fresh, or use pre-made juices and blend them together. Adding carrot fiber cuts the thickness of the beets as well.
Mask with Other Strong Flavors
Some strong flavors can help cover up the earthy taste of beets:
– Pomegranate juice – its tart, tannic flavor balances the beets
– Lemon juice – bright acidity cuts through the dense beet flavor
– Fresh parsley or cilantro – herby flavor mingles with the beets
– Cayenne pepper – masks the earthiness with heat
– Cinnamon – strong aroma and flavor complements the beets
– Espresso powder – rich coffee notes overpower the beet flavor
Experiment with small amounts of these ingredients to modify the beet flavor profile.
Conclusion
While beet juice is an acquired taste for some, there are many easy tricks for dramatically improving its flavor. By blending beet juice with fruits, herbs, spices, citrus, ginger and other ingredients, you can make a beet juice combo that you genuinely enjoy and look forward to drinking.
Be creative and don’t be afraid to try out new flavor combinations until you find your perfect beet juice recipe. The health and nutritional benefits of beets make it well worth the effort to make them tasty. With the right additions and sweeteners, you can transform unappetizing beet juice into a delicious wellness drink.
