A fully stocked home bar always has a basket of citrus to choose from. You need lemons for Bloody Marys, limes for margaritas, oranges for Aperol spritzes, and fun options to get creative with (how about grapefruit for sangria?). The acidity of citrus is a great balance to liquor and any sweeteners—plus it makes your drinks look nice with minimal effort. Presentation matters! You’ve got the great taste covered with Demitri’s award-winning Bloody Mary Seasonings and margarita mixes, but good presentation takes cocktails to the next level.
You might be tempted to haphazardly chop up a lemon and call it a day, but making restaurant-looking garnish is actually pretty simple. Below are some of our go-to’s when we want our drinks to look fancy, whether we’re hosting an event or want to be fancy on a random Tuesday. For more tips and tricks, check out this guide from Moody Mixologist.
Enjoy… and cut carefully please!
Wedges
This is probably the easiest way to cut your citrus: wash, cut into uniform wedges, remove the seeds, and cut a notch to slide it onto the rim of the glass. The good thing about wedges is that guests can squeeze a little (or a lot) depending on their taste preference.
Wheels
Another simple one! Start by cutting the ends off both sides, then cut vertically into your desired thickness—about a quarter inch per wheel is a good starting point. You can either cut a notch into your wheel to place on the rim or add it directly to the glass. When it’s in the glass, the brightness will naturally infuse into your cocktail.
Twists
A twist is a corkscrew-shaped citrus rind that adds aromatic oils. And it’s easier to make than you think! Start by cutting the bottom off of your citrus on one side, then place it cut-side down so you have a flat base. Using a paring knife, start at the top, then cut a thin piece of the skin. Twist the skin like you’re wringing out a tiny towel. Drop it into your drink (think Aperol spritz or old fashioned) and get ready to cheers.
Follow and tag us in whatever you make for the chance to be featured: @DemitrisBloodyMary on Instagram!
