Raw juice bars aren’t just serving the green, grassy stuff. Today you can find delicious brews and elixirs that take seasonal fruits and veggies to new heights. Here are six of our favorite juice hotspots in Orange County that will help you drink your way to better health.
1 Radical Botanicals
There’s sure to be an antidote to what ails you at this 4th Street Market vendor, where charming owner Izumi Hamagaki always seems to know the right mixture for her customers. Hamagaki infuses fresh juices, essential oils, herbs, and handmade bitters into some of her unique creations, such as the apricot-basil soda with raw fruit syrup—made of apricot, basil, cane syrup, and apple cider vinegar—along with lemon and house-carbonated alkaline water. A favorite cold-pressed juice is the I of the Tiger, with orange, grapefruit, carrot, ginger, and turmeric; the concoction is said to act as an anti-inflammatory and energy booster. $3 to $9. 201 E. Fourth Street, Santa Ana, 657-205-6920, radbot.co
2 Juice Served Here
Judging on looks alone, this Los Angeles import wins for its ultra-cool, minimalist setup—think clean, white subway tiles, white brick with slick marble, and pale wood accents. The juices here pack a concentrated punch; they’re not watered down and are served in attractive, thick glass bottles. Find a rainbow selection of more than 20 flavors. Don’t be turned off by the murky gray hue of the Charcoal Lemonade. Made with activated charcoal, alkaline water, raw sugar cane juice, lemon, and Montmorillonite clay, the concoction is not too tart, not too sweet, and is touted as a skin-brightening, energy-boosting tonic that’s good for hangovers. $8 to $20. 3418 Via Lido, Newport Beach, 949-612-8228; 1001 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949-706-2733, juiceservedhere.com
3 Pressed Juicery
This sleek, cold-pressed juice emporium is great for grab-and-go juice fixes. If you’re a die-hard greens fan, go for the Greens 3, with pressed apple, celery, cucumber, kale, lemon, parsley, romaine, spinach, and ginger for an energizing kick. For something more tart and refreshing, get the Citrus 2, with apple, pineapple, mint, and lemon. Better yet, try the juices in frozen form—some locations boast a vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soft-serve station. We love the Roots Freeze, with a sour blend of beets, carrots, apple, lemon, ginger, dates, and coconut. $6.50 to $8 per bottle, $5 to $8 per freeze. 808 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 949-536-5083; 1181 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949-287-0118; 1116 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach, 949-650-0661, pressedjuicery.com
4 SeJuiced
This tiny gem is as cheeky as its name, getting customers “seduced by juice.” And you might, especially with its selection of “drinks with benefits” like the Matcha Green Tea Iced Latte, with organic coconut milk, matcha green tea, chlorella, pink sea salt, and agave. It’s robust but smooth, one of the best versions we’ve had and purported to boost your metabolism as well as detoxify and alkalize your body. Feeling under the weather? Try the Nature’s Flu Shot, a potent dose of lemon, garlic, ginger, turmeric, agave, cayenne, orange, and apple cider vinegar. $3.50 to $11. 2744 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, 949-759-3500, sejuicedbar.com
5 Krisp Fresh Living
Finally, a juice bar that has an inviting sit-down area for those who might want to savor a cold-pressed beverage in a relaxing environment. Krisp delivers a modern, Zen-like space with cozy, dark-wood bench seating, bright fuchsia cushions, and lime green chairs and walls. For those who like a little heat, try the Spicy Greens, with cucumber, kale, parsley, pear, spinach, cilantro, lime, and jalapeno. For something more substantial, Krisp offers a variety of tasty raw smoothies such as the Lavender Berry, with mango, raspberry, lavender flowers, lemon juice, and agave, or the Refresher smoothie, with cucumber, pineapple, ginger, lime, and banana. $6.50 to $9. 1651 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach, 949-515-9990,
krispfreshliving.com
6 Babette’s
For folks who enjoy their juice with a meal, there’s Babette’s—one of the few full-service restaurants in Orange County that offers its own house-pressed juices as well as a convenient take-out window and house-made pastries. Try the carrot ginger juice, a sweet eye-opener that’s balanced by the pepperiness of the ginger. Smoothies also are available, with add-in options such as chia and hemp protein. For a grown-up spin, you can order a cocktail at the bar made with pressed juices, such as the 24 Karats with carrot, ginger, lime, and vodka. $9 per juice, $16 per juice cocktail. 7962 E. Coast Highway, Newport Coast, 949-715-9915, babettesoc.com
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