Lemon peel is the thin, yellow outer covering of the [ingredient=lemon lemon], which is typically used in cooking and baking to provide characteristic lemon aroma and flavor to dishes without the acidity and extra liquid adding [ingredient=lemon-juice lemon juice] would involve. Commercially, lemon peel is mechanically processed to make lemon oil -- there are small glands in the peel that rupture, releasing the oil.
The aroma of lemon peel is sharp and fresh, with a strong, waxy-lemon-floral aroma, which is mainly limonene, beta-pinene, and gamma-terpinene, with neral and geranial also contributing some scent. In cocktail usage, lemon peel can either be muddled in the bottom of the tin to release oils, or used as a garnish to provide lemon aroma with each sip.
Lemon peel can be cut into small matchsticks or removed from the lemon with a citrus zester to make [ingredient=lemon-zest lemon zest].
Some popular cocktails containing Lemon peel
- Fenton's Phantom — Pimm's No. 1 Cup, Aromatized wine, Swedish Punsch, Orange bitters, Lemon juice, Lemon peel
- The Naughty Sundress — Old Tom Gin, Manzanilla sherry, Elderflower liqueur, Basil eau-de-vie, Peach bitters, Lemon peel
- Suze and Treuse — Suze, Herbal liqueur, Seltzer water, Tonic water syrup, Lemon peel
- Improved Morning Sour — Coffee liqueur, Bergamot liqueur, Lemon juice, Agave syrup, Chinotto, Lemon peel
- Lima Sour — Pisco, Maraschino Liqueur, PInk grapefruit juice, Lime juice, Simple syrup, Lemon peel
- Smoke Signals — Amaro, Mezcal, Scotch, Añejo tequila, Lemon peel
- Siege of Havana — Gin, Dry vermouth, Swedish Punsch, Orange bitters, Apricot liqueur, Lemon juice, Lemon peel
- Martini Parisien — Vodka, Elderflower liqueur, Aromatized wine, Lemon peel
- King's Elixir — Gin, Bianco Vermouth, Goldwasser, Celery bitters, Lemon peel
- Safety Dance — Dry vermouth, Bianco Vermouth, Soda water, Lemon juice, Tea syrup, Lemon peel