Adding a ‘zest twist’ to a cocktail involves squeezing a citrus zest to release its oils into the liquid, adding flavour and aroma in the process

Beyond the standard zest twist, some recipes rely on a 'flamed zest twist', which essentially involves burning the aromatic oils over the surface of the cocktail.

How to add a zest twist to a cocktail:

1Using a clean and unwaxed citrus fruit, cut a length of peel with a knife or a vegetable peeler. The peel should be around half an inch wide, with practically no white pith showing.

2Hold the peel over the cocktail surface, with the outside of the fruit facing down.

3Turn one end of the peel clockwise, and the other end the other way, so that you twist it. This should extract the aromatic oils from the peel and into the drink. Wipe any residual oil on the surface of the peel on the rim of the cocktail glass.

4Depending on the recipe, you can drop the citrus peel into the cocktail, or throw it away.

How to add a flamed zest twist to a cocktail:

A flamed zest twist is very similar to a standard zest twist, but can provide a spectacular finish to a cocktail, especially if added in front of the drinkers. The most commonly used citrus fruit for flamed zest twists is the orange, although lemons and limes can also be used.

1Cut a length of citrus peel, around one inch wide.

2Hold the peel face down over the cocktail using the thumb and forefinger of one hand. The peel should be held slightly higher than a standard zest twist – some 4-5 inches above the surface of the drink.

3Using the other hand, place a flame below the citrus peel with a lighter or match. The flame should be far enough from the peel to warm it gently without burning it.

4Keeping the flame alive, squeeze the peel so that the aromatic oils fall onto the fire. This should create a small flash when the oils make contact with the flame.

5Finish off by wiping the surface of the zest along the rim of the cocktail glass. Either drop the peel into the cocktail, or discard it before serving the drink.