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
- Safety Dance — Dry vermouth, Bianco Vermouth, Soda water, Lemon juice, Tea syrup, Lemon peel
- Price of Prudence — Gin, Aromatized wine, Dry vermouth, Honey Liqueur, Bitters, Lemon peel
- The Runaway — Bitters, Batavia Arrack, Rye, Orgeat, Lemon juice, Lemon peel
- Colonel Grey — Bourbon, Earl Grey Tea Syrup, Lemon juice, Soda water, Lemon peel
- Selinon Soother (OG Version) — Gin, Bianco Vermouth, Jamaican #1 bitters, Seltzer water, Lemon juice, Celery syrup, Simple syrup, Lemon peel
- Smoke and Fire Sour — Mezcal, Kummel, Pepper tincture, Lime juice, Lemon peel
- My Dear Quarantine — Gin, Pear liqueur, Soda water, Lemon juice, Orange juice, Simple syrup, Lemon peel, Cardamom
- Steppin' Out — Gin, Palo Cortado Sherry, Dry vermouth, Crème de Banane, Lemon peel
- Van Buren — Citrus vodka, Amaro, Sweet vermouth, Chocolate bitters, Lemon peel
- Spyglass — Gin, Dry vermouth, Aquavit, White Crème de Cacao, fennel liqueur, Lemon peel