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In this post, I will show you the easy way to make a lemon twist or lime twist garnish. Cocktails and beverages with citrus ingredients can be garnished using a lemon twist, lime twist, or orange twist. Sometimes called a lemon curl or citrus curl, a twist of citrus peel can add such a lovely touch. Citrus twists are easy to make, and they add visual appeal to your drink. It’s simple! Here’s how.
How to Make a Lemon or Lime Twist
How to garnish your cocktail or drink with a pretty lemon twist, lime twist, or orange twist.
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Email Me RecipesServings: 1 serving
Ingredients
- 1 fresh ripe lemon, lime, or orange
- 1 sharp knife
NOTES
You will also need: A sharp knife
Instructions
- Take a fresh lemon, lime, or orange. Slice a ring from it, about 1/4 inch thick, from the thickest part of the citrus.
- Make a slice through one side of the peel and the pulp.
- Use a paring knife to carefully slice around the fruit to separate the peel from the round of citrus. The white part of the peel, called the pith, is bitter. You don't want a lot of it on your lemon curl, but you do need a little pith intact for the curl to hold its shape. Aim to slice halfway between the edge of the citrus and the fruit, about halfway through the pith.
- Cut the fruit pulp off of the peel so that you have one long thin strip of peel.
- Trim any thick parts of pith away from the citrus peel strip.
- Trim the edges, if you want to, to make the strip a uniform width (this is optional and will make it look more "perfect").
- Twist the peel into a curly-q shape. You can simply twist it with your hands.
- Or, you can twist it around a long skewer - like a chopstick. Use the warmth of your hands to mold the peel into a spiral curl. The peel should naturally hold its shape.
- Use lemon or lime twists to garnish cocktails or beverages. Orange twists are lovely too. Sometimes called a lemon curl, lime curl, or orange curl, this citrus garnish couldn't be easier to make - and it will add a lovely, aromatic touch to your drink.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
How to Make a Lemon or Lime Twist
Amount Per Serving
Calories 31
% Daily Value*
Sodium 2mg0%
Potassium 149mg4%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin C 57.3mg69%
Calcium 28mg3%
Iron 0.6mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
tried this recipe?
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Additional photography licensed via Shutterstock.
Thank you for this! A perfect step-by-step that will make my cocktails fancier from here on out. 🙂
Thanks it looks cute on my cocktail glass. My boozy zoomer group of friends are making French 75 tonight!
I made a lemon bundt cake and put these on top!! it’s sooo pretty and I covered the twists in sugar so it’s sparkly too! I’m really happy and it was really to do its really artsy and simple.
Just as Phil said, I don’t know why this never occurred to me, but your instructions saved my drinks from looking sad and unprofessional. Thank you so much! ??
Always wondered about this! Thanks!
For some reason it never occurred to me to take the slice our of the peel rather than trying to cut off a piece of peel and twirl it. Thanks!
Thanks, settled a question between husband ( my drink maker) and me. Thanks for the nutrition label.