How to Make a Citrus Twist Garnish

There are many ways to use citrus to garnish a cocktail, but lately we've been excited about adorning our drinks with a pretty cascading spiral. A citrus twist (whether a spiral or not) adds visual interest, but the citrus oil that it imparts also gives your nose and palate an extra kick.

The citrus spiral takes a little more finesse than your average twist, and it also requires a specific tool. I recommend this Trudeau zester which is very inexpensive and can zest as well as create garnishes. So grab your zester and a lemon (or orange or grapefruit) and let's dress up that drink.

How to Make a Citrus Twist Garnish

1. Grab your citrus fruit of choice. I recommend organic if possible, because pesticides end up concentrated in the peel of non-organic citrus, and that's all you're using here.
2. Using the channel knife feature of your zester, cut the top layer of peel in a spiral around the fruit. Apply the zester with even pressure, carefully removing mostly zest and as little of the white pith as possible. (At this point you can take the peel and rub it along the rim of the glass. This touch of citrus oil on the rim is particularly effective for drinks such as the martini or other less fruity cocktails.)
3. Take the length of peel and wrap it around your finger in a tight spiral. Hold it for a few seconds, and then carefully remove and place onto your cocktail. (You can also create a tighter spiral by wrapping your peel tightly around a skewer instead of your finger.)