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When studying the art of photography zest shot / zesty cocktails is a great lesson. I have lately developed my photography skills by capturing expressed citrus zest in my cocktail’s pictures. Citrus zest provides the pictures and the cocktails with extra flavour, smell and grace.
Here are my advices for your zesty cocktails – Plan your cocktail in advance, so you have time to buy fresh nonorganic citrus fruits. You need nonorganic, “firm” and not too ripe citrus fruits to get the best zest results. I normally buy organic citrus whenever it’s possible, but for zest shots these are not ideal.
Wash the citrus fruit, peel and express that lovely citrus zest.
Try searching for #hitmewithyourzestshot on Instagram for more inspiration on zesty cocktails.
Zesty cocktails recipes

Kornish
50 ml kornbrand from Berliner Brandstifter
20 ml fresh organic lemon juice
15 ml vermouth rosé
10 ml strawberry syrup
dash summer bitters
Method: Shake with ice & double strain into a chilled glass with ice
Garnish: Dehydrated lemon, dehydrated strawberry and a strawberry lolly

Grasping ON
50 ml raspberry gin
25 ml vermouth blanc
10 ml chambord
1 bsp yellow chartreuse
Method: Stir over ice & strain into a chilled glass
Garnish: Yellow garden raspberries on a cocktail pick – mist with absinthe

Wildish
50 ml gin butterfly pea flower infused
25 ml dry vermouth
1 bsp creme de violette
1 bsp homemade elderflower cordial
dash lavender bitters
Method: Stir over ice & strain into a chilled glass
Garnish: Lavender

Cardenal´s Doza Perfecto
40 ml brandy clásico
20 ml angêlus liqueur
15 ml coffee infused campari
15 ml spanish vermouth rojo
1 bsp chocolat royal
Method: Stir over ice & strain into a chilled glass
Garnish: Orange chocolate, orange peel and a dehydrated plum

BMW smash
55 ml whisk(e)y
25 ml fresh organic lemon juice
15 ml homemade mint syrup
1 bsp creme de mure
Blackberries from the garden
Method: Muddle blackberries, shake all ingredients with ice & double strain into a chilled glass with ice
Garnish: Lemon peel, mint & blackberry
What is your “sweet spot” camera settings to capture zesty cocktails ? Feel free to share in the comments.
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