Update: Test out this method on any one of the of sweet, lemony cocktail recipes you’ll find by browsing our new Drinks & Entertaining page. 

A lemon twist is more than just a pretty cocktail garnish; the aromatic oils in the lemon peel add flavor to the drink, too. There are different ways to make a lemon twist, some more complicated than others. This method strikes a nice balance between simplicity and visual appeal:

Using a vegetable peeler, peel the zest from a lemon in 1×4-inch strips, avoiding as much of the white pith as possible. Trim the edges of each strip neatly, and then cut in half lengthwise. Holding a skewer over the cocktail glass, wrap a strip of zest around the skewer and then slide it off into the glass. The twist will uncoil slightly but should hold a loose corkscrew shape in the drink.