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
- First Rodeo — Gin, Bianco Vermouth, Peychaud's Bitters, Grapefruit juice, Soda water, Simple syrup, Lemon juice, Orange peel
- Dark Was The Night — Fernet, Virgin Islands Rum, Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters, Cinnamon syrup, Orange peel
- Midnight in Manhattan (Woodford) — Bourbon, Sweet vermouth, Suze, Cherry Bitters, Orange peel, Vanilla syrup
- My Idea of Fun — Haitian Rum, Blended rum, Overproof rum, Byrrh, Sherry, Bitters, Cinnamon syrup, Orange peel, Nutmeg
- La Savane — Aromatized wine, Rhum Agricole, Mezcal, Swedish Punsch, Orange bitters, Orange peel
- Spanish Sigh — Cynar, Bonal Gentiane Quina, Demerara Rum, Bitters, Cream Sherry, Orange, Salt, Orange peel
- The Antioxidant — Cranberry Vodka, Aperol, Tangerine juice, Simple syrup, Lime juice, Strawberry, Orange 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