Beetroot punch is a creamy, bright pink drink made from raw beetroot juice mixed with evaporated and condensed milk and flavoured with vanilla, nutmeg and a few drops of Angostura bitters.
The beetroot is blended raw with water and strained, so the punch is smooth, with an earthy sweetness the milk and spice round off.
Beetroot stains: wear gloves if you like, and rinse the blender and cloth straight away.
The recipe
Beetroot Punch
Prep
20 min
Chilling
1 hr
Total
1 hr 20 min
Serves
6
Makes
About 6 cups (1.4 litres)
Times and quantities are our best estimates. This recipe is still being kitchen-tested, so trust your eyes and taste as you go.
Servings
Ingredient amounts are scaled. Cooking times and pot size may need adjusting too.
Ingredients
Tick items off as you gather them.
Method
Blend the beetroot with the water on high for 1 to 2 minutes, until as smooth as possible.
Strain through a fine sieve lined with a clean cloth, squeezing out all the juice. Discard the pulp.
Stir the evaporated milk, condensed milk, vanilla, nutmeg and bitters into the beetroot juice.
Taste and add more condensed milk if you like it sweeter.
Chill for at least 1 hour and serve over ice.
Serve it with
Ice cold, as a drink or with lunch
Substitutions
Cooked beetroot: boil whole beetroots for 40 minutes until tender, cool, peel and blend. The flavour is sweeter and milder.
Dairy-free: use coconut milk and sweeten with sugar.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate in a closed bottle and drink within 2 days. Shake before serving.
Cook's notes
Don't add lime or other citrus: it can curdle the milk.