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
- Witch Hazel — Pumpkin Seasonal Spirit, Trifecta Bitters, Brown Sugar Simple syrup, Orange peel
- negresso — Campari, Sweet vermouth, Gin, Espresso syrup, Orange peel
- Cosmopolitan Milk Punch — Vodka, Tawny port, Triple sec, Tonic water, Cardamom, Cranberry juice, Milk, Star anise, Lime juice, Sugar, Bay leaf, Clove, Pomegranate molasses, Orange peel, Grapefruit peel
- Dark Trilogy — Amargo-Vallet, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Fernet Vallet, Orange peel
- Tainted Love — Campari, Crème Yvette, Islay Scotch, Bitters, Orange peel
- Atlanta Ritz — Champagne, Pear liqueur, Licor 43, Maraschino Liqueur, Lemon juice, Orange peel
- Smoke on the Horizon — Mezcal, Dry vermouth, Bruto Americano, Gran Classico, Lemon peel, Orange peel
- Banana Manifesto — Añejo tequila, Crème de Banane, Coconut liqueur, Amaro Nardini, Coffee Pecan Bitters, Orange peel
- Continuum — Gin, Sweet vermouth, Herbal liqueur, Cynar, Curaçao, Orange peel
- Sucker in a 3-piece — Cognac, Rye, Averna, Bénédictine, Bitters, Lemon peel, Orange peel