Grating makes the blender's job easier

Raw carrot is much firmer than most smoothie fruit. Finely grating it before blending reduces the work required and avoids large crunchy fragments. This step matters particularly with a smaller blender. Check that your machine is suitable for raw vegetables, and never try to push pieces down while it is running.

The recipe uses orange juice as its main liquid and banana as its softening ingredient. It is a smoothie, not a clear juice, so some fine vegetable texture is expected. If you prefer a completely silky drink, use carrot juice in a different recipe rather than repeatedly blending this one until it becomes warm.

Ginger should support the orange

Fresh ginger can vary in strength and stringiness. Peel a small piece and grate it finely so you measure the pulp rather than a rough chunk. Half a teaspoon is enough to make its presence known without obscuring the orange. Taste the finished drink before adding more.

Carrots bring earthy sweetness rather than the bright sweetness of fruit. That difference is part of the recipe's appeal, but it means an old, woody carrot will be noticeable. Use a crisp carrot, and make sure the orange juice tastes pleasant on its own. This is a flavour combination, not a claim that a drink can detoxify the body or replace a varied meal.

What you'll need

  • 100 g carrot, peeled and finely grated
  • 200 ml orange juice
  • 100 g peeled banana
  • 80 g plain yoghurt
  • 1/2 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
  • 50 ml cold water

Let's make it

  1. Scrub and peel the carrot, then grate it finely. Put it in the blender with orange juice and water and blend until the pieces are very small.
  2. Add banana, yoghurt and grated ginger. Blend again until the drink is as smooth as your machine allows.
  3. Taste a spoonful before serving. If the texture remains too fibrous for your preference, pass it through a coarse sieve, accepting that some body will be lost.
  4. Pour into two glasses. Serve immediately rather than letting the carrot fibres settle for a long time.

Make it your own

For a dairy-free version, replace yoghurt with a plain plant-based alternative.

A little lemon juice can sharpen a very sweet batch; add it in drops rather than changing the orange quantity.

Keeping it fresh

Drink soon after blending. If necessary, cover and refrigerate promptly at 5°C or below and use within 24 hours, subject to earlier ingredient dates. Stir thoroughly before serving.

Allergen notes

Milk

Further guidance: Food Standards Agency: safe chilling and freezing