Express a peel

Technique

To express a peel means to squeeze its oil over a drink, so a fine mist of citrus oil lands on the surface.

Also called: expressed peel · expressed citrus · flamed orange peel · flamed peel · expressed orange peel

Peel strip: about 0.5 inch (12 mm) wide
Flamed peel, height above the drink: about 4 inches (10 cm)

What express a peel means

You meet an expressed peel when a bartender squeezes a strip over your glass and the smell reaches you before the first sip. The oil sits in the colored skin, not the white pith, so the squeeze puts the aroma where your nose is. Use citrus peel from firm, washed fruit. The twist that remains can go in the drink or be thrown away.

Some people think rubbing the peel around the rim adds flavor. Many bartenders skip it, since oil on the rim can taste bitter or perfumey with every sip. Squeezing over the drink gives you the aroma without leaving that oil on the glass.

A flamed peel is the showy version. Dale DeGroff credits Pepe Ruiz at Chasen's in Los Angeles with getting him to flame orange peels over drinks. DeGroff then spread the move from New York's Rainbow Room, which he ran from 1987. The flame adds a toasted note and a bit of a show.

How to express a citrus peel

You need a sharp peeler or paring knife and firm citrus, such as an orange, a lemon or a lime.

1.Cut a strip about 0.5 inch (12 mm) wide from firm, washed citrus, with only a little of the white pith.
2.Hold the peel with its colored skin facing the drink, then pinch or twist it so the oil mists onto the surface.
3.Squeeze from higher above the glass for a lighter touch.
4.Hold a flamed peel by its sides with the skin toward a lit match, about 4 inches (10 cm) above the drink, then pinch it.
5.Use matches to light the peel, since lighter fuel can taint the aroma.
6.Keep the flame clear of hair, sleeves and open bottles.

Express a peel compared

Flamed orange peelA flamed peel goes through a lit match, so its oil sparks before it lands on the drink. Plain expressing skips the match entirely.
TwistA twist is the strip of peel you leave in or throw away. Expressing is the squeeze that sends its oil over the drink.
RinseA rinse coats the inside of the glass with a spirit. Expressing mists citrus oil onto the surface of the drink instead.

Related terms

Ingredients

Citrus peel

Put it to use in your next drink

Garçon explains every step as you make the drink.