Ever wonder how bartender’s make those cool Lemon Spirals for cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks? Well I asked and have the scoop! Super easy to make at home!
I have always love going to the theater and though the past years have not offered as much opportunity to hop down to Denver to see a show, I was recently reminded of a favorite outing that ended up in a blog post sharing a fabulous food find.
Shortly after starting Boulder Locavore I had gone to a holiday matinee performance in Denver. It was most likely for the Nutcracker ballet (a family tradition) or maybe A Christmas Carol. A favorite thing to do was to have lunch or dinner following at the now defunct Kevin Taylor Prima Ristorante, housed in a charming urban hotel just across from the performing arts center. It could always be counted on for great food and cocktails and on this occasion a chatty bartender let me in on a secret I’ve loved knowing ever since: how to make Lemon Spirals.
Having been served cocktails with the whimsical swirls before (the ones that look like tiny citrus corkscrew pig’s tails), I was always curious how they were made. When I asked the bartender he showed me step by step how to do it. It’s quite easy and was something I would never have figured out on my own.
I originally shared this method in a blog post with a Pomegranate Martini recipe back in 2010. The photos were a bit deadly and the instructions absent (though the photos do tell most of the take). It’s a blog post that I recall fondly because the simple process to make the lemon spirals yields such a fun result!
Lemon Spirals can be used in any sort of drink, alcoholic or otherwise. I try to choose larger lemons to yield a longer spiral though any size lemon will work. The spirals may be added to the drink, trellised over the edge of the glass or both. However you use them they make the drink more eye-catching and fun!
How to Make Lemon Spirals (drink garnish)
Ingredients
- Lemons
- Supplies: sharp knife , toothpicks, bowl or jar
Instructions
- Slice the ends off a lemon to create a flat surface.
- Make one slice down the length of the lemon. Gently separate the peel from the inner fruit of the lemon.
- Gently roll the peel lengthwise to form a tight spiral (leave no space between the layers). Insert 2 toothpicks on either end to secure the lemon peel.
- Place in water in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Remove from the water and remove the toothpicks. Slice into 1/8-1/4 inch slices. Uncoil and place into a drink or hand off the side of a glass.
This content was originally published in December 2010 and has been updated in 2016.
Lindsey Paris says
That’s so much easier than i thought!!! I thought there was spiral slicing involved, not just soaking. Cool! Now i’ll be looking fancy at my next cocktail hour.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Oh cool! I’ve always wondered how they got the lemon to do that. That is so super neat, and I will definitely be doing this the next time I serve drinks!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Oooh how fancy 🙂 I am always impressed when I get a drink with a lemon spiral in it!
Cheri says
Wow! I can’t believe how easy that really is. Thanks for the instruction.
Anna @ Garnish with Lemon says
I NEEDED this post. Tucking this away for my next party. Brilliant!
Katie @ Garnish Blog says
This is great, I’ve never seen this trick before! I’m definitely going to try it.
One note – it’s best to get as little of the white pith as possible, as it can add some bitterness to your drink. You could try using a vegetable peeler to remove a thin section from the center of the lemon without all that white stuff.
Toni Dash says
Good point Katie. I will say I’ve never had my drink change flavor from making Lemon Spirals via this method however. Maybe it depends on the lemon.
Katie @ GarnishBlog says
It’s totally a nitpicky cocktail snob thing! If you think your drink looks and tastes great, then you’re doing just fine! 🙂
Toni Dash says
I do hear your point though. Pith is very bitter. I trust the bartender who educated me in this method! He held down a very hot spot venue and everyone loved the lemon spirals.
Brandy says
I had no idea it was that easy to make spirals! Thank you for sharing this post!
Liz says
I probably read this back then!!! But certainly didn’t retain the info!!! Thanks for sharing again—great tip!
Jennifer Richmond says
That’s so cool! Thanks for sharing these tips.
kellie@foodtoglow says
It is something I’ve wanted to learn too as it looks so impressive and pro. Thanks so much for this. My gosh it is easy, isn’t it?
Toni Dash says
Yes it truly is!! That is why I was so excited to share it when I first started my blog. I couldn’t imagine the impressive end result was this easy to create!
Marcie W. says
I have always wondered how lemon peels are shaped for garnish. I think I am far too heavy handed to pull these off, but am willing to bet my husband can make them no problem.
Liz Mays says
Oh these are awesome. Great guide! I want to start adding these to some cocktails!
Anjanette @MommaYoung says
How great! I have wondered this as well. I never would have thought to soak overnight. I’ve tried before on-the-fly and it didn’t quite work. Makes sense now! Thanks for the info! Now to make a cocktail….
Pam says
I love the look of lemon spirals. They’re beautiful on cocktails or even on lemonade or tea.
Lisa Favre says
I often see these on drinks at restaurants but never thought of doing it at home. Don’t know why! Definitely something I’ll start doing.
Don Cresswell says
I use a kitchen/bar tool called a “Channel Knife” it gives you a “twist” but without the bitter pith. To make a spiral from your twist, simply wrap it around your cocktail stirrer like a candy cane or barber pole.
Toni Dash says
Thanks for the tip Don. I have not noticed any flavor from the pitch of the spirals when adding these to drinks. It was something I tested in the beginning not loving the taste of pith…imagine that!
Don Cresswell says
Theoretically it can be bitter but in retrospect I didn’t notice anything in my vodka or bourbon drinks when being served by a barkeep who hand cuts the peels. This clearly states that my taste buds are focusing on the finer things in life…LOL!
Toni Dash says
Ha, ha! Maybe that’s the ticket; serve them in strong drinks?
Amanda Love says
That’s pretty awesome! I’ve never tried doing this before, I had no idea it was this easy. Thanks for the awesome tip and the instructions!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
I always thought there was some kind of special kitchen gadget to make those spirals! Thanks for sharing the information.
Janell Poulette says
This is so cute and not something I would have ever thought to do. I will definitely be making these for my next get-together, or even just for my glass of iced tea at dinner. Thanks for sharing!
Brianne says
Oh this is so cool. I am going to make these for my moms night out next week!
Nicole Escat says
Wow, looks really nice! I like doing garnish but I am not that good!
Joyce Brewer says
I’ve seen bartenders do this so easily. Great tutorial.
Rosey says
That is a great looking garnish. It’s unique too.
Rachelle says
I had no idea they were so easy to make! I’m going to have to try this at my next get together!
Melisasource says
WOW, I’ve never done a garnish before but this looks like a great way to try for the first time!
Susan says
I don’t know that I’ll ever have use for this technique, but I think it’s wonderful, so I’m saving it for just in case…
Toni Dash says
These add a little whimsy to any drink Susan! Lemonade, iced tea….even a nice tall glass of water is more fun!