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
- Seelbach — Champagne, Bourbon, Triple sec, Peychaud's Bitters, Bitters, Orange peel
- Chutes and Ladders — Blanco tequila, Aromatized wine, Swedish Punsch, Lime juice, Simple syrup, Orange peel
- Cuatro Naranjas — Añejo tequila, Aperol, Orange liqueur, Campari, Orange bitters, Lime peel, Orange peel, Lime juice
- Midnight Shift — Cachaça, Sweet vermouth, Cynar, Galliano, Bitters, Absinthe, Orange peel
- No. Three — Bison grass vodka, Aperol, Apple cider, Lemon juice, Orange peel