Twists & Flaming Twist
Twists are a way to add sharp and acidic citrus flavor to a drink by expressing the oil from the skin of a lemon, orange, or perhaps even a grapefruit. It’s a simple and classic way to add flavor to and garnish a cocktail. There are three different ways to execute a twist. The first adds to most citrus oil, and that is done by twisting the skin over the drink and then dropping the oil-covered rind into the cocktail. If you want to put on a show, the second method will allow for that as well as impart a little smoky citrus flavor. This is accomplished by squeezing the citrus skin over the flame of a match, igniting the oil as it sprays into the drink. To add just a hint of the oil flavor, twist the skin away from the cocktail and then drop the moistened rind into the glass.