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Garnishing 101: How To Make 5 Citrus Garnishes For Cocktails

Easily master the cocktail garnish basics.

Cocktail Garnishing Chart

What would an old fashioned be without an orange swath, or a margarita without a lime wedge? A cocktail garnish can transform any kind of beverage into an elegant mocktail or cocktail.

Even if you are not a professional bartender, the garnishing basics are essential to have (and not just about adding pizzazz). Lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit garnishes can be used to add an extra hint of citrus to your drinks, even the essence of the citrus expressed over your beverage can add that bright hint of fruitiness.

Using lemons and limes as our examples, here are 5 classic citrus cocktail garnishes to help get you started.


How to garnish cocktails with a citrus wedge

Suggested Bar Tool

F. Dick Premier Nature Paring Knife with Wooden Handle

Featured Cocktail

Classic Margarita Recipe

How to cut a lemon or lime wedge

Cut the ‘pointy’ ends off of the citrus. Placing the fruit flat side-down and make angled slices on either of the sides. Put directly into drink or make a slit in the flesh and slide on the side of your glass.

Lime Wedge Garnish


How to cut a Citrus Slice

Suggested Bar Tool

F. Dick Premier Nature Paring Knife with Wooden Handle

Featured Cocktail

Classic Daiquiri

Instructions

  • Cut the lime crosswise into less than ¼ inch thick slices. Put slices in your drink or make a small slit into one of the slice’s sides and slide onto the rim of your glass.

Lime Slice Cocktail Garnish


How to make a Citrus Swath

Suggested Bar Tool

Wide Straight Edge Peeler

Featured Cocktail

Old Fashioned

Instructions

  • Using a peeler, shave off long, wide pieces of citrus zest. To release its essence, twist the citrus swath over your drink and rub on the rim of the glass. Drape along the edge of the glass.

Lemon Swath Cocktail Garnish


How to make Citrus Zest

Suggested Bar Tool

Featured Cocktail

 

Bitter Southerner No. 08 Image via bittersoutherner.com

 

Instructions

  • Place your citrus on the grater and rub back and forth until you reach the white pith. Rotate around to the other flesh areas of the citrus and repeat. Once done, flip grater over and remove extra zest on the back. Top onto your desired cocktail.

Zesting Cocktail GarnishRemoving lemon zest from zester


How to make a Citrus Spiral

Featured Cocktail

Martini

Instructions

  • Using your channel knife, hold the citrus in your hand, begin to twist. Continue twisting and create a long spiral.

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