Orange peel is the outer colored layer of the skin of the orange, which, like all hesperide fruits, is thick, bumpy, and studded with oil-producing glands. Commonly used in both cooking and baking, orange peel can also be candied, used as a garnish, or expressed over the top of a cocktail to provide an aromatic punch to the drink. If the orange peel is cut into small pieces, especially with a citrus zester, it is usually referred to as zest.
An orange spiral is a long twist of orange peel, typically cut using a channel knife. Orange spirals are almost always used as a garnish, and can be hung from the rim of a cocktail glass in a decorative fashion.
Orange oil is made up of almost 90% limonene, a monoterpene aromachemical with a typical orange aroma. There are also small amounts of Bergaptene and Myrcene as well.
Some popular cocktails containing Orange peel
- The Study — Rye, Calisaya, Fernet Branca, Sweet vermouth, Bitters, Scotch, Orange peel
- The Battalion Three — Bourbon, Chicory Liqueur, Sweet vermouth, Mezcal, Bitters, Orange peel
- Spanish Sigh — Cynar, Bonal Gentiane Quina, Demerara Rum, Bitters, Cream Sherry, Orange, Salt, Orange peel
- Blood Eagle — Aquavit, Sherry, Amaro Nardini, Campari, Fernet Vallet, Orange peel, Grapefruit peel
- Dark Was The Night — Fernet, Virgin Islands Rum, Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters, Cinnamon syrup, Orange peel
- Harlem Roulette — Bourbon, Rye, Aperol, Peychaud's Bitters, Maraschino Liqueur, Bitters, Absinthe, Honey syrup, Orange peel, Lemon peel
- Atlanta Ritz — Champagne, Pear liqueur, Licor 43, Maraschino Liqueur, Lemon juice, Orange peel
- Handcuffed Lightning — Jamaican rum, Cognac, Sweet vermouth, Swedish Punsch, Apricot liqueur, Bitters, Orange peel
- Pink Floyd Eclipse — Bourbon, Madeira, Jamaican rum, Amaro Montenegro, Bitters, Honey syrup, Orange peel
- Cosmopolitan Milk Punch — Vodka, Tawny port, Triple sec, Tonic water, Cranberry juice, Milk, Lime juice, Sugar, Star anise, Bay leaf, Clove, Pomegranate molasses, Orange peel, Grapefruit peel, Cardamom