How to Make a Lemon Twist

A Lemon Twist is commonly used to garnish cocktails such as the Cosmopolitan, Martini, and Gin Fizz. However, this lemon peel garnish can also be used to decorate cakes, cupcakes, and more! 

What Is a Lemon Twist? 

The term “lemon twist” refers to a family of elegant cocktail garnishes made from the peel of a lemon. 

When most people think of a lemon twist, they imagine a thin corkscrew of lemon peel that’s artfully draped over the side of a cocktail glass or skewered on a cocktail pick. 

However, there are a few different ways to remove and shape a lemon peel depending on the presentation you’re going for. 

But no matter what style of lemon twist you’re making, the goal is always to use as much of the yellow peel as possible and as little of the pith (the white portion of the peel that touches the flesh) as possible because the pith is very bitter. 

In this post, I’ll explain the main types of lemon twist garnishes, how to make each, and share the top tips for success.  

The Different Types Lemon Twists 

There are four key types of cocktail garnishes that fall under the lemon twist category: the lemon swath, the flamed twist, the horse’s neck, and the classic lemon twist. 

Here’s a brief overview of each type of lemon twist: 

1. Lemon Swath 

The lemon swath is a wide strip of zest that’s been peeled from the lemon and then twisted over the drink to express the oils. After being twisted, the lemon swath is sometimes rubbed on the rim of the glass for added flavor. 

In my experience, the swath is either discarded afterwards or left in the drink as a garnish. It just depends on the type of cocktail you’re making or the bartender’s personal preference. 

Other names for the lemon swath include: citrus swath or rustic swath. 

2. Flamed Twist / Flamed Zest 

A flamed twist is similar to a lemon swath, but a lit match (or lighter) is held between the drink and the piece of lemon peel so that when the peel is twisted, the oil ignites briefly. 

3. Horse’s Neck 

The horse’s neck is a long, loopy lemon twist garnish that curls around the inside of the glass of the prepared drink and is left to hang over the edge of the glass — hence the name, horse’s neck. 

Tip: The Horse’s Neck is also a cocktail! It got its name from the horse’s neck lemon twist that’s used to garnish it. 

4. Lemon Twist 

Arguably the “classic” lemon twist that everyone recognizes is the corkscrew-shaped lemon twist. 

It’s a thin corkscrew of lemon peel that can also be called a lemon curl, a lemon spiral, or a dainty spiral. It’s elegant but very easy to make! 

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Tools Needed to Make a Lemon Twist

In the section below, I’ve explained what each bar tool is and what it does. Then, below that you’ll find a list of which tools should be used to make which kind of lemon twist 

• Vegetable peeler — A standard vegetable peeler can be used to remove large pieces of zest from a lemon. 
• Y peeler — Also useful for removing large pieces of zest from a lemon. 
• Matches — Perfect for briefly igniting the oils released from a twist of lemon peel. 
• Paring knife — Can be used to make a thicker corkscrew-shaped lemon twist. 
• Channel knife — Ideal for making thin lemon twists. 
• Chopstick, straw, or cocktail pick — Can all be used to shape a thin piece of lemon zest into a corkscrew shape. 

Which Tools Are Used for Which Type of Lemon Twist? 

• To make a basic citrus twist: vegetable peeler or Y peeler 
• To make a flamed twist: vegetable peeler or Y peeler and matches 
• To make a horse’s neck: paring knife or channel knife 
• To make a corkscrew lemon twist: paring knife or channel knife, as well as something to wind the lemon peel around to twist it (such as a chopstick, straw, or cocktail pick) 

Ingredients Needed for a Lemon Twist 

The only ingredient you’ll need to make a lemon twist is a lemon. 

Please be sure to use organic lemons that have been washed under warm tap water. 

Since you’ll be adding the lemon zest to your drink, you want the lemon to be pesticide free and you’ll also want to remove any wax on the skin of the citrus fruit. 

How to Make a Lemon Twist 4 Ways 

Making a garnish out of the zest of a lemon is very easy, but it does require some practice! Here’s how to make a lemon twist four ways: 

1. How to Make a Lemon Swath

1. Run a vegetable or Y peeler down the entire length of the lemon (from tip to tip) to remove a long, wide piece of zest. 
2. Twist the zest over your drink to release its oils. 
3. Optional step: run the lemon swath around the edge of the glass for added flavor. 
4. Either discard the lemon peel or place it in the drink. 

2. How to Make a Flamed Twist 

1. Run a vegetable or Y peeler down the entire length of the lemon (from tip to tip) to remove a long, wide piece of zest. 
2. Light a match and hold it a few inches above the cocktail. 
3. Holding the lemon peel yellow-side down, place it about 2 inches above the lit match. Gently twist and squeeze the lemon peel over the lit match. It should ignite briefly. 
4. Blow out the match. 
5. Optional step: run the lemon swath around the edge of the glass for added flavor. 
6. Either discard the lemon peel or place it in the drink. 

3. How to Make a Horse’s Neck 

1. Place either a channel knife or paring knife near one tip of the lemon. 
2. Slowly but steadily run the knife around the circumference of the lemon, turning the lemon as you go so the peel comes off in one long, thin rope. The goal is to peel the entire lemon from tip to tip without breaking the peel.  

4. How to Make a Corkscrew Lemon Twist 

1. Using a channel knife or paring knife (if you’re an experienced lemon twist maker!), carefully cut a thin spiral of lemon zest off of the fruit. You’ll only need to go around the lemon once or twice to create a long enough twist. 
2. Carefully wrap the thin piece of lemon peel around a chopstick, straw, or cocktail pick. 
3. Pull the lemon peel taut around whatever object you chose.
4. Gently release the lemon peel and remove it from the chopstick or straw. The peel should remain in a corkscrew shape! 

Tips for Making Any Lemon Peel Garnish 

• Remove just some of the pith: Remove some of the extra pith from the back of the peel before twisting. This gives your lemon twist a cleaner appearance so the inside is nice and smooth. However, you don’t want to remove too much of the pith as it is very stiff and helps the lemon peel hold its shape!
• Use organic lemons: Since the lemon peel will be added as a cocktail garnish, you don’t want to risk any lingering pesticides working their way into your drink.  
• Wash and dry the lemons before peeling: Citrus fruits are sometimes coated in wax, so it’s important to run your lemons under warm tap water to remove any wax or dirt. 
• Swap the lemons, if desired: You can use this tutorial to make any citrus cocktail garnish, it doesn’t have to be lemons! 
• Use room temperature lemons: They make for easier peeling than lemons that have been stored in the fridge. 

How to Use a Lemon Twist 

A lemon twist isn’t just a pretty cocktail garnish — it can change the flavor of a cocktail, too! 

• Rustic swath: Adds a subtle but bright lemon flavor to any cocktail. Rubbing the swatch of lemon zest around the edge of the glass infuses the cocktail with even more fragrant lemon flavor. 
• Flamed twist: Imparts a sulfurous note to the cocktail, as well as a light lemon fragrance.  
• Horse’s neck: Adds bolder lemon flavor to the cocktail since the peel of the entire lemon is placed in the glass. 
• Lemon twist: Adds a lemon note to any cocktail, plus a subtle bitterness thanks to the pith that remains on the corkscrew of lemon peel. 

What Cocktails Are Garnished with a Lemon Twist? 

You can garnish any cocktail you like with a lemon twist, but traditionally the following cocktails always have a lemon peel garnish: 

• Martini 
• Lemon Drop 
• Gin and Tonic
• Gin Fizz
• Vodka Soda 
• Cosmopolitan 
• Horse’s Neck 
• Vesper 
• Americano 
• Boulevardier 
• New York Sour 

Tip: If any of the cocktails I just mentioned are unfamiliar to you or you want to see what other cocktails should be garnished with a lemon twist, I recommend looking at the International Bartenders’ Association website for more info. 

Additional FAQs

Should you wash the lemon first? 

Yes! You want to remove any dirt or bacteria from the peel before letting it touch your drinks or food. 

What kind of knife is best for making lemon twists? 

A paring knife is arguably easiest to use, but a channel knife is the traditional choice for making pretty corkscrew twists. 

Does a lemon twist add flavor? 

Yes! Lemon peel is packed with fragrant oils that are released when twisted over the cocktail (hence the name, “lemon twist!”)

How many twists can you make from one lemon? 

Depending on the size and width of the twists, you can make anywhere from 4 to 8 twists from one lemon. 

Can you make a lemon twist in advance? 

Yes, you can make the lemon twists and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. 

How to store lemon twists garnishes? 

Seal them in an airtight container and refrigerate them. 

How long do lemon twists last? 

Up to 4 days in the fridge. 

Recipes That Can Be Garnished with a Lemon Twist

Don’t reserve your lemon garnish skills for drinks and cocktails! You can garnish any of the following with a lemon twist. 

• Cocktails Raspberry Gin Spritz and Limoncello Spritz
• Non-alcoholic drinks: Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon Lemonade, and Spiced Lemonade 
• Cakes and cupcakes: Lemon Blackberry Cupcakes and Strawberry Lime Cupcakes 
• Other desserts: Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Mousse, Sous Vide Creme Brulee, and Raspberry Pavlova 
• Frozen treats: Strawberry Orange Granita and Lemon Basil Ice Cream 
• Scones: Blueberry Lemon Scones and Strawberry Lemon Scones 

Try Making a Lemon Twist! 

Next time you’re looking for a citrus cocktail garnish, give this lemon twist tutorial a try! 

Did you think this tutorial was easy to follow? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought.

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