Golden Beet Citrus Cooler With Orange and Lemon

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Bright and refreshing: Orange and lemon bring lively citrus flavor that keeps the beet juice crisp instead of heavy.
• Beautiful golden color: Golden beets create a sunny, naturally vibrant drink that looks special with very little effort.
• Earthy-sweet but mild: Golden beets are gentler and less intense than red beets, making this cooler easy to love.
• No cooking required: Everything is fresh, fast, and ready in about 15 minutes.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 pound golden beets, 4 large navel oranges, 2 medium lemons, optional fresh mint for garnish
• Dairy: None
• Pantry: Honey or maple syrup, fine sea salt, cold filtered water, ice

Full Ingredients

For the Golden Beet Citrus Cooler

• 1 pound golden beets, about 3 medium beets, scrubbed, peeled, and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 large navel oranges, juiced, about 1 1/2 cups fresh orange juice
• 2 medium lemons, juiced, about 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup cold filtered water, 34°F to 40°F, divided if using the blender method
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, optional, plus 1 teaspoon more if needed
• 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

For Serving

• 2 cups ice cubes
• 4 thin orange wheels, for garnish
• 4 thin lemon wheels, for garnish
• 4 very thin raw golden beet slices, optional, for garnish
• 4 small fresh mint sprigs, optional, for garnish

Equipment

• Juicer, or high-speed blender
• Fine-mesh strainer or nut milk bag, if using the blender method
• Citrus juicer or reamer
• Pitcher that holds at least 1 quart
• Sharp knife and cutting board

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the golden beets

Scrub the golden beets thoroughly under cool running water to remove any grit. Trim off the stem and root ends, then peel the beets with a vegetable peeler. Cut them into 1-inch pieces so they feed easily through a juicer or blend smoothly. Golden beets can lightly stain cutting boards and towels, so use a surface that is easy to clean.

Step 2: Juice the beets

Juicer method: Feed the beet pieces through a juicer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You should get about 1 to 1 1/4 cups golden beet juice, depending on how juicy the beets are.

Blender method: Add the chopped beets and 1/2 cup of the cold filtered water to a high-speed blender. Blend on high for 45 to 60 seconds, until very smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or nut milk bag into a bowl or pitcher, pressing firmly to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the dry pulp or save it for smoothies, veggie patties, or compost.

Step 3: Juice the oranges and lemons

Cut the oranges and lemons in half. Juice the oranges until you have 1 1/2 cups fresh orange juice, then juice the lemons until you have 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice. Remove any seeds. If your citrus is very pulpy and you prefer a smoother drink, strain the citrus juice through a fine-mesh strainer before mixing.

Step 4: Mix the cooler

In a pitcher, combine the golden beet juice, 1 1/2 cups fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, the remaining cold filtered water, 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup if using, and 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt. Stir for 30 seconds, until the sweetener dissolves completely. The salt will not make the drink taste salty; it gently sharpens the citrus and rounds out the earthy beet flavor.

Step 5: Taste and adjust

Taste the cooler before serving. For a brighter drink, add 1 to 2 teaspoons extra fresh lemon juice. For a sweeter drink, add 1 teaspoon additional honey or maple syrup and stir well. If the beet flavor is stronger than you like, add 2 to 4 tablespoons more cold filtered water or orange juice. The finished drink should taste lightly earthy, sweet from the orange and golden beet, and cleanly tart from the lemon.

Step 6: Serve cold

Fill 4 glasses with 1/2 cup ice each. Pour about 1 cup of Golden Beet Citrus Cooler into each glass. Serve at a chilled temperature of 34°F to 40°F for the most refreshing flavor. Garnish each glass with an orange wheel, a lemon wheel, a very thin golden beet slice, or a small mint sprig. Stir once more just before sipping, as fresh juices naturally settle.

Pro Tips

• Choose firm golden beets: Look for beets that feel heavy for their size with smooth skin and no soft spots. Smaller to medium beets tend to taste sweeter and less woody.
• Use fresh citrus: Bottled lemon or orange juice will taste flatter. Fresh juice gives this cooler its bright, clean finish.
• Chill the ingredients first: Refrigerate the beets, oranges, lemons, and water for at least 2 hours before making the drink so it is cold right away.
• Strain for elegance: For a smoother, café-style cooler, strain the finished mixture once more before pouring it over ice.
• Stir before serving: Fresh beet and citrus juices can separate after sitting. A quick stir brings the color and flavor back together.

Variations

• Ginger Beet Citrus Cooler: Juice or blend 1/2 ounce fresh ginger, about a 1-inch piece, with the beets for a gentle spicy kick.
• Sparkling Golden Cooler: Replace 1/2 cup of the filtered water with 1/2 cup chilled sparkling water. Add the sparkling water right before serving to keep the bubbles lively.
• Herbal Citrus Cooler: Muddle 6 fresh mint leaves or 4 fresh basil leaves in the pitcher before adding the juices, then strain before serving for a delicate herbal note.

Storage & Make-Ahead

This drink tastes best the day it is made, but it can be stored in an airtight glass jar or pitcher in the refrigerator at 40°F or below for up to 24 hours. Stir or shake well before serving because the juice will naturally separate. For make-ahead prep, scrub, peel, and chop the golden beets up to 24 hours in advance and keep them refrigerated in an airtight container. You can also juice the oranges and lemons up to 12 hours ahead, then store the citrus juice covered in the refrigerator. Do not add ice until serving, or the cooler will become diluted.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 112 kcal | Carbs: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 19g | Sodium: 120mg | Cholesterol: 0mg