ABC Juice (Apple, Beet & Carrot Juice)

Name: ABC Juice (Apple, Beet & Carrot)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 apples (cored); 1 beet (medium, scrubbed, peeled if tough); 3 carrots (scrubbed); 1 tsp lemon juice; 1 inch ginger (fresh, optional); ½ cup water (only if using a blender); ice (to serve)

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ABC juice is a fresh juice made from three simple ingredients: Apple, Beet, and Carrot, which give it both its name and its deep ruby color. It comes together in about 10 minutes with a juicer or a blender, and needs no added sugar.

ABC stands for apple, beet, and carrot, and it is the juice I reach for when I want something that feels genuinely restorative without tasting like punishment. Beetroot scares people off, but here the apple and carrot keep it sweet and the earthiness just makes it interesting. Fair warning from experience: do not panic when it turns everything (including you) a dramatic shade of pink. Completely worth it.

Glass of freshly made ABC juice next to a red apple, a beetroot and a carrot on a wooden board

The Apple, Beet and Carrot Ratio That Works

The classic ABC ratio is roughly 2 apples, 1 medium beet and 3 carrots. That makes about 400 ml (two small glasses) and tastes sweet first, earthy second. If you’ve never had beet juice before, this is the balance I’d start with.

Beet: use it raw, not the vacuum-packed cooked kind, and never pickled (the vinegar takes over). One medium beet, about 150 g, is plenty. A large one and the whole glass tastes like beet.
Apples: a sweet, crisp apple like Gala, Fuji or Golden keeps the juice mellow. Granny Smith works if you like it sharper; in that case you can skip the lemon.
Carrots: the sweeter the carrots, the less you taste the beet. No need to peel them, just scrub well.
Lemon and ginger: lemon brightens everything and helps the juice keep its color a little longer. Ginger is optional, but a 1-inch (2.5 cm) piece is the quickest way to make it taste less like soil.

Juicer or Blender: Which Method to Use

Both work. They just give you a slightly different glass.

A juicer gives you the classic smooth, clear juice. Cut the beet into wedges and alternate the hard pieces (carrot, beet) with the apple, finishing with apple so it pushes the last bits of beet through. A slow (masticating) juicer gets a bit more juice out and makes less foam than a fast centrifugal one; if yours is centrifugal, just skim the foam off the top.

A blender is what I use most days. Chop everything small, blend with ½ cup (120 ml) of water until completely smooth, then strain through a nut milk bag and squeeze hard. It takes a few minutes longer, and you end up with a ball of pulp you can actually use (more on that below).

How to Make It Taste Less Earthy

That “dirt” taste in beets comes from geosmin, a natural compound some people are very sensitive to. If that’s you, a few things help:

Start with half a beet, then add more next time once you know how you like it.
Lemon and ginger are the best cover. Acidity and heat cut right through the earthiness.
I’d rather add one more carrot than one more apple. It sweetens the juice without turning it into apple juice.
Serve it really cold. Chilling the produce first or pouring over ice makes the earthy note much quieter.

Ways to Change It Up

Citrus ABC: juice an orange along with everything else. Sweeter, brighter, and the version kids usually prefer.
Green ABC: add a handful of spinach or a celery stalk. The color shifts toward a brownish burgundy, but the taste stays mild.
With a kick: a pinch of turmeric and black pepper, or simply more ginger.
Thicker and more filling: skip the straining and blend with a little extra water or a frozen banana. You get a smoothie that keeps all the fiber.
For kids: dilute it 1:1 with still or sparkling water.

Close-up of apple, beet and carrot juice in a ribbed glass, with a whole beetroot, carrot and apple behind it

How Long ABC Juice Keeps (and What to Do With the Pulp)

ABC juice tastes best within the first hour. After that it slowly darkens and loses its fresh edge. If you want to make it ahead:

Fridge: up to 24 hours in a glass jar filled right to the top (less air means less browning). Shake or stir before pouring; separation is normal.
Freezer: pour it into ice cube trays and keep for up to 3 months. Drop the cubes into smoothies or thaw them overnight in the fridge.
Pulp: what’s left after the blender method is mostly fiber. Stir it into muffin or quick bread batter, veggie burger mixes or crackers, or freeze it for later.

For more fresh juices, browse our recipes with carrots and beetroot recipes, or try this citrus barley grass juice.

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ABC Juice (Apple, Beet & Carrot)

A fresh apple, beet, and carrot juice ready in 10 minutes. Naturally sweet, vibrant ruby red, vegan, and full of beta-carotene, with no added sugar.

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Choose Serving Size 2 glasses

Equipment

Juicer (or high-speed blender)
Fine-mesh strainer or nut milk bag
Glass jar

Ingredients

2 apples cored
1 beet medium, scrubbed, peeled if tough
3 carrots scrubbed
1 tsp lemon juice
1 inch ginger fresh, optional
½ cup water only if using a blender
ice to serve

Instructions

Scrub the carrots and beet; peel the beet only if the skin is tough. Core the apples.
Juicer method: run the apples, beet, carrots, and optional ginger through a juicer, finishing with apple, then stir in the lemon juice.
Blender method: chop everything, blend with ½ cup water until smooth, then strain through a fine sieve or nut milk bag.
Taste and adjust with more apple or lemon to balance the beet.
Pour over ice and serve immediately.

Notes

Best served fresh. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours and stir before drinking. Start with less beet if you are new to its flavor.

Questions About ABC Juice

What is ABC juice?

ABC juice is a fresh juice made from apple, beet and carrot, the three ingredients behind its name. It is naturally sweet, deep ruby red, and takes about 10 minutes to make with a juicer or a blender.

Is ABC juice good for you?

It is an easy way to get more vegetables into your day: carrots are one of the best sources of beta-carotene, and beets give the juice its red color. Juicing removes most of the fiber and keeps the natural fruit sugar, though, so enjoy it as an extra glass alongside whole fruit and vegetables rather than instead of them.

What is the best ratio for ABC juice?

A good starting point is 2 apples, 1 medium beet and 3 carrots, which makes about 400 ml. Use less beet if it tastes too earthy, or add another carrot for a sweeter, milder juice.

Can I make ABC juice in a blender?

Yes. Chop the apple, beet and carrot, blend with about half a cup (120 ml) of water until smooth, then strain through a nut milk bag or a fine sieve. You do not need a juicer.

Do I need to peel the beet and carrot?

You do not have to. Scrub the carrot well and peel the beet only if the skin is tough or dirty. Apples can stay unpeeled; just remove the core before juicing.

How long does ABC juice last in the fridge?

Up to 24 hours in a sealed glass jar filled to the top. It tastes best within the first hour, and it darkens and separates as it sits, so stir it before drinking.

Why does beet juice change urine or stool color?

Beets contain natural pigments that can temporarily tint urine or stool pink or red. This is harmless and passes on its own, though if you are ever unsure about a color change, it is fine to check with your doctor.

Is ABC juice vegan?

Yes. ABC juice is made entirely from apple, beet and carrot, so it is naturally vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free.