Get ready for a margarita experience unlike any other with this vibrant and refreshing Carrot Ginger Margarita! This unique cocktail features a homemade fresh carrot-ginger juice, quickly made in your blender, shaken up with classic margarita ingredients like tequila, orange liqueur (Grand Marnier recommended!), fresh lime juice, and a touch of simple syrup. I absolutely love this Carrot Ginger Margarita because it’s such a fresh, zingy, and surprisingly delicious take on the classic. The earthy sweetness of the carrot pairs beautifully with the spicy ginger and tangy lime. It’s the perfect cocktail for spring entertaining or anytime you want something bright, flavorful, and a little unexpected!
Why You’ll Love This Carrot Ginger Margarita
- Unique & Flavorful: A fantastic twist on the classic margarita with earthy carrot and spicy ginger notes.
- Fresh & Vibrant: Made with fresh carrot-ginger juice and freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Refreshing: Perfectly balanced sweet, tart, and zingy flavors make it incredibly refreshing.
- Easy Homemade Juice: The carrot-ginger juice comes together quickly in a blender.
- Impressive Cocktail: Looks stunning with its vibrant orange color and tastes complex yet approachable.
Ingredients for Carrot Ginger Margarita
Here’s what you’ll need to shake up this unique and refreshing margarita. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Carrot Ginger Juice
- Fresh ginger, peeled and cut into pieces (Aromatic)
- Medium carrots, peeled and roughly chopped (Vegetable)
- Cold water (Liquid)
Margarita
- Tequila (Silver/Blanco recommended) (Liquor)
- Grand Marnier* (or other orange liqueur like Cointreau/Triple Sec) (Liqueur) (Specific brand mentioned)
- Freshly squeezed lime juice (Acid)
- Carrot ginger juice* (from above) (Juice)
- Simple syrup* (or agave nectar, adjust to taste) (Sweetener)
- Ice (Ice)
Rim & Garnish
- Coarse margarita salt (or kosher/sea salt) (Seasoning)
- Lime wedge (Fruit)
- Thinly sliced lime wheel (optional garnish)
(Notes refer to original recipe details/suggestions) (Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I adore the zingy flavor of this Carrot Ginger Margarita, but feel free to experiment:
- Make it Spicy: Muddle a few thin slices of jalapeño or serrano pepper in the cocktail shaker before adding ice and liquids.
- Add Orange: Use half carrot-ginger juice and half fresh orange juice for a sweeter, less earthy flavor.
- Different Spirit: Try it with mezcal for a smoky twist or even gin for an herbaceous variation.
- Add Turmeric: Blend a small piece of fresh turmeric (or a pinch of ground turmeric) into the carrot-ginger juice for extra color and earthy flavor.
- Different Sweetener: Use agave nectar instead of simple syrup (as suggested in the original source) or even a ginger-infused simple syrup.
How to Make a Carrot Ginger Margarita
Making this vibrant Carrot Ginger Margarita involves making the fresh juice and then shaking the cocktail:
Make the Carrot Ginger Juice
- First, I make the fresh juice base. I add the peeled and roughly chopped ginger pieces, the peeled and chopped carrots, and the cold water to my high-powered blender.
- I blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes, until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Next, I pour the blended juice through a fine-mesh strainer (or a strainer lined with cheesecloth) set over a bowl. I use a spoon or spatula to gently stir and press the pulp to help extract as much juice as possible. Discard the pulp (or save it for adding to muffins/compost!). I should end up with about ¾ to 1 cup of vibrant juice.
Prep the Glass and Shake the Margarita
- Now, I prepare my margarita glass. I moisten the rim of the glass with a fresh lime wedge.
- I dip the moistened rim into coarse margarita salt (or kosher/sea salt) spread on a shallow plate, coating the rim evenly.
- I fill the prepared glass with crushed ice (or regular ice cubes).
- In a cocktail shaker, I add a few ice cubes.
- I add the tequila, Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur), freshly squeezed lime juice, the freshly made carrot ginger juice (2 ounces per cocktail), and the simple syrup (or agave) to the shaker.
- I secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for about 20-30 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is very cold and frosty.
Serve
- I strain the chilled margarita mixture into the prepared, ice-filled glass.
- I garnish with a thin lime slice or wheel.
- Enjoy immediately!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Margarita
Here are my secrets for making the perfect Carrot Ginger Margarita:
- Use Fresh Ginger & Carrots: Essential for the vibrant flavor of the homemade juice.
- High-Powered Blender: Helps break down the carrots and ginger smoothly for easier straining.
- Strain Juice Well: Use a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove pulp for a smooth margarita texture. Press gently to extract maximum juice.
- Quality Tequila & Liqueur: Use spirits you enjoy drinking for the best overall cocktail flavor. 100% agave Blanco tequila works well.
- Shake Vigorously: Properly chilling and slightly diluting the margarita through shaking is key to its balance.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the final margarita. Depending on the sweetness of your carrots and your preference, you might want slightly more or less simple syrup/agave.
How to Serve
This Carrot Ginger Margarita is best served immediately after shaking! Enjoy it:
- Chilled: Strained over fresh ice in a salt-rimmed margarita or rocks glass.
- For Spring/Summer Entertaining: A unique and refreshing signature cocktail for parties or BBQs.
- With Appetizers: Pairs well with guacamole, salsa, ceviche, or other light, fresh appetizers.
- Before Dinner: A vibrant aperitif.
Garnish with a lime wheel or a thin carrot curl if you’re feeling fancy!
Make Ahead and Storage
- Carrot Ginger Juice: The fresh juice can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Shake well before using.
- Margarita: Like most shaken cocktails, this Carrot Ginger Margarita is best made fresh to order to ensure proper chill, dilution, and texture.
FAQs about Carrot Ginger Margarita
- Can I use store-bought carrot juice?
- You can, but it won’t have the same fresh flavor or the zing from the fresh ginger. If using store-bought, look for 100% pure carrot juice and consider blending in some fresh ginger separately or adding ginger simple syrup.
- What if I don’t have Grand Marnier?
- Substitute with another orange liqueur like Cointreau or a quality Triple Sec.
- Is this margarita very sweet?
- It depends on the natural sweetness of your carrots and how much simple syrup/agave you add. Start with the recommended amount and adjust to your taste. The lime juice provides a nice tart balance.
Enjoy this unique, vibrant, zingy, and incredibly refreshing Carrot Ginger Margarita! It’s a delightful twist on a classic.
Print
Carrot Ginger Margaritas
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Beverage, Cocktail, Drink, Margarita
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired, American Fusion
Description
These Carrot Ginger Margaritas are a super fresh, zingy take on the classic margarita! They’re made with a fresh carrot-ginger juice you make quickly in the blender, shaken up with classic margarita ingredients. Super flavorful, refreshing, and perfect for spring entertaining!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Carrot Ginger Juice (Makes approx. 3/4 – 1 cup):
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
- 8 medium carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 cup cold water
For the Margarita (per serving):
- Coarse margarita salt (or kosher/sea salt), for rimming glass
- 1 lime wedge (for rimming and garnish)
- 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) tequila (Blanco 100% agave recommended)
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Grand Marnier* (or other orange liqueur like Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) fresh Carrot Ginger Juice* (from recipe above)
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) simple syrup* (or agave nectar, adjust to taste)
- Ice cubes (for shaking and serving)
Optional Garnish:
- Thinly sliced lime wheel or wedge
Instructions
1. Make the Carrot Ginger Juice:
- Add the chopped fresh ginger, chopped carrots, and 1 cup of cold water to a high-powered blender.
- Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture is as smooth as possible.
- Pour the juice through a fine-mesh strainer (lined with cheesecloth for extra clarity, if desired) set over a bowl. Press down gently on the solids with a spoon or spatula to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the pulp. You should have about 3/4 to 1 cup of juice. This makes enough juice for about 3-4 cocktails.
2. Prepare the Margarita Glass:
- Pour coarse margarita salt onto a small plate.
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your margarita or rocks glass to moisten it.
- Dip the moistened rim into the salt, rotating the glass to coat the rim evenly.
- Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice cubes.
3. Make the Margarita:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes.
- Add the tequila, Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur), fresh lime juice, 2 ounces of the fresh carrot ginger juice, and simple syrup (or agave) to the shaker.
- Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is very cold.
4. Serve:
- Strain the margarita mixture from the shaker into the prepared, ice-filled glass.
- Garnish with a fresh lime slice or wheel. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Carrot Ginger Juice: A high-powered blender works best to break down the raw carrots and ginger. Straining is necessary to remove the pulp. Leftover juice can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days.
- Orange Liqueur: Grand Marnier adds a specific flavor. Cointreau or a quality Triple Sec can be substituted.
- Simple Syrup: To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, heat until sugar dissolves, and cool completely. Adjust the amount used in the margarita based on your preferred sweetness and the sweetness of the carrot juice. Agave nectar can also be used.
- Tequila: Use a good quality 100% agave tequila, preferably Blanco (silver), for a clean taste.
- Storage: The cocktail is best enjoyed immediately after making.