How to Make a Lemon Twist Garnish
A lemon twist is an easy and elegant garnish for your cocktails – and all you need is a paring knife! No special tools are needed for a beautiful lemon curl to sit on the edge of your glass.
I do everything I can to avoid single-use kitchen tools, and while one definitely exists for making a citrus twist garnish (looking at you, channel knife), you really don't need it!
While the channel knife is the best specialized tool for the job, I'm going to show you how to make your lemon peel twist without any special tools – just a pairing knife.
What's a paring knife?
A paring knife is a short, small knife, about 3-4 inches long. Its more compact size helps make more precise cutting and slicing easier – and that's why it's perfect for helping you make your lemon twist!
What is a lemon twist garnish?
A lemon twist garnish sounds and looks fancy, but it's easy to make! It's a cocktail garnish made from the peel of a lemon twisted in a corkscrew shape. Or as I like to say, shaped like a little piggy tail!
Can I do this with other fruits?
You sure can! You can use the same technique to make a lime twist, orange twist or grapefruit twist.
Larger citrus fruits will yield a longer spiral, but any size fruit will work.
How to make a lemon twist with a knife
Step 1: Make sure your lemon has been washed and is clean – remember, you're going to be using the peel itself for this!
Step 2: Cut a thin round of lemon with a sharp paring knife…
Step 3: … and then slice through one side of the peel.
Step 4: Use your hands to gently pull the lemon flesh and pith away from the peel, or your knife to cut it away. If necessary, trim excess white pith from the peel. The pith does help the peel hold its shape, but too much of it will add bitterness to your drink.
Step 5: Using your fingers, twist the peel in a spiral onto itself. You can also wrap it around a straw as a guide to help it hold its shape.
That's it! Now you have a lemon twist garnish ready to be placed on the edge of a cocktail glass.
How to store lemon twists
To store a lemon twist, curl it up and stick a cocktail pick or toothpick through it to hold its shape and place them in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How to garnish a cocktail
While some cocktail garnishes might require a cocktail pick to hold the garnish over the top or edge of the glass, a lemon twist couldn't be easier.
Simply rest the lemon curl over the edge of the glass, partially submerged in the drink on the inside. You can use garnishes on non-alcoholic drinks just as you do with alcoholic ones.
But before you place it on the edge of the glass, give it a little twist and squeeze into the drink itself to release the citrus oil for extra flavor to your cocktail.
Cocktails to garnish with your citrus twists
- French 75 Cocktail
- Salty Dog Cocktail
- Strawberry Basil Margarita
- Easy Frozen Strawberry Margarita
- Tequila Sunrise Cocktail
- Watermelon Agua Fresca (only 3 ingredients!)
- Watermelon Margaritas
- Blackberry Lime Mint Julep
- Blood Orange Sangria
- Pineapple Cooler
I hope this information helps!
Do you have any questions about this topic that I didn't answer? Let me know in the comments below!
Description
Equipment
Instructions
- Make sure your lemon has been washed and is clean – remember, you're going to be using the peel itself for this!
- Cut a thin round of lemon with a sharp paring knife, and then slice through one side of the peel.
- Use your hands to gently pull the lemon flesh and pith away from the peel, or your knife to cut it away. If necessary, trim excess white pith from the peel. The pith does help the peel hold its shape, but too much of it will add bitterness to your drink.
- Using your fingers, twist the peel in a spiral onto itself. You can also wrap it around a straw as a guide to help it hold its shape.
- Place on the edge of your cocktail glass, serve and enjoy!