Carrot "Margaritas" for Dwindling Summer Soirées

A recipe for a carrot based cocktail that I haven't stopped drinking (It's NOT a margarita, but like...Y'all...It kinda is?)

TL;DR: Magnolia headed back to school TODAY. I am still verklempt that this Carrot Margarita (I use quotes because it’s not technically a margarita) will maybe need to come off my rotation soon…but maybe not? Also, I’ll be writing more longer form here, a journal and recipe. If my journaling isn't your speed, skip the self-indulgence and go straight to the recipe. It’s always in a big font.

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The French Riviera, in one breath, went from sweltering to stunning. For those who prefer their summers dipped in salt water, doused in sweat this is a deeply disappointing time. A epic funeral. For someone like me, who has reverse seasonal affective disorder (I break out in hives when the weather is above 90 or so degrees) I am rejoicing and praising all the powers that be for this shift.

I was on week three of having my elbow pits full of sweat, in my non-air conditioned house. And then all at once, it cooled. Rain came in ribbons, the first in 7 or so weeks, quenching the scorched earth and sending the springs on my farm bubbling and babbling. The tourists retreated almost immediately, less due to the temporary rains. And more to do with ‘back to school’ or ‘La Rentrée’.

La Rentrée in France is both a celebration and a dulcet eulogy for the two months of summer having flitted into the ether, to make way for cooler temperatures. The stores here aren’t chock a block full of ‘back to school’ supplies, because the schools are *gasp* funded here, but there is nevertheless the same phenomenon of new shoes, new lunchbox, and new outfit.

Magnolia’s back to school uniform? Frozen Sneakers purchased by her nanny (that light up, of course) the likes of which I never would have agreed to. A 2nd version (she wore the first one out) of her favorite ‘twirly’ dress’. And a hostile negotiation regarding a back to school backpack, which ended in tears (not hers) and leaving the store without a new one (Someone snatched the one I wanted to buy off the rack as I was looking. It was the last of it’s kind. And no more to be ordered). Cutthroat mama’s in these curved hills. Amid my boo hooing, I realised it was her last time to start the school year in her current classroom. This is her third year with the same teachers, cue more existential boo hooing.


So if you happen to be having all the feels, good or bad, about the change of seasons this recipe might just be the ticket. It is decidedly a ‘summer-y’ beverage, but thanks to it being carrot based and technically carrots are a fall and winter vegetable you could totally get away with serving this…year-round. Additionally, I don’t advocate for numbing out when life hands you difficult times, but there is something about this boost of beta carotene, that is truly a joy bringer. (The tequila notwithstanding).

You could EASILY make this without tequila. Just the juices and the salt rim make a magnificent alcohol free beverage.

The sweetness of the carrot tempers the acid of the limes, and makes the need for simple syrup and agave utterly moot. The earthiness it provides is decidedly grounding. Especially if you happen to be weeping over grief, and the passage of time, and how your best friend who died will never meet your child. It lacks any Cointreau or Triple Sec, solely because I don’t keep it in my home (YOU COULD add 1/2 ounce, and cut the tequila back a smidge). But tequila, I sure do. You could utterly throw in a splash (which I mention in the recipe) but you don’t have to.

Additional bonus? If you happen to be a health nut or think sugar is the devil then this is definitely the recipe for you. Because other than the natural sugars from the carrots/limes, it contains nada else.

Don’t wanna pay to read the recipe? Salt rim with chilli flakes, tequila, limes, carrots. That’s it.

The CLT: Carrot Lime & Tequila, not quite a margarita.

Serves 4 cocktails