Nekter Inspired Green Juice

As the days get warmer, I often find myself wanting something light and refreshing to drink. This Nekter inspired green juice is exactly that! Light, refreshing, nutrient dense, and naturally sweetened with a citrus-y zing! What a delightful way to get some extra vitamins and minerals!

Anyone who has been to Nekter Juice Bar knows and loves their juice. When we moved to North Carolina, we found that we were no longer located near a Nekter and I was surprised to find myself craving it… not just for a day or on and off, but for months! This recipe was born out of a need to satisfy that craving and it is inspired by Nekter’s Toxin Flush.

As always, my little ones wanted to try Mama’s drink and they loved it as much as I do so now I make it in pretty large quantities so I can share with all my babies! Though it is a little different every time, depending on the size of the produce being juiced, this recipe makes a pretty large batch. Below is a picture of a half-gallon jar for your reference. You can make half of a batch if you don’t need as much, or, while it really is best served fresh, you can keep the extra in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

The Process

Let me say first, that you do not need a juice extractor to make green juice. If you choose to use a blender, place all the ingredients into the pitcher, add 1/2 cup of water and blend. You can pour the juice through a strainer or cheese cloth to remove the pulp.

If you have a juice extractor and choose this method, prep all your fruit and vegetables first. Juice all of the ingredients, give it a good stir, and serve over ice!

Ingredients

6 Apples – I like a combination of Granny smith and Honeycrisp

4 Lemons – peeled

1-2 Cucumbers

2 Cups Kale

2 Cups Spinach

Big Handful of Parsley

1 inch or more of Ginger – start with a little bit and adjust according to taste

For some reason I always thought that a juicer would be terribly hard to clean and really just not worth all of the effort. But I decided to give it a try. I purchased this relatively inexpensive juice extractor, gave it a try, and was pleasantly surprised with the results! Delicious, healthy juice that my family loves and clean up was a cinch! Win, win, win!

Tips for Making Green Juice

First, be sure to use an old grocery bag to line the pulp bin for easy clean up.

Second, I suggest alternating leafy things and firmer things when juicing. I find that the firmer fruits like apples help to clear out the leafier vegetables.

Third, I like to run the ginger through last. Call me crazy, but I feel like I can taste the difference when the ginger is fresh on the palate.

Lastly, serve green juice over ice. I know everyone has their preferences…. In my opinion it has to be ice cold.