The flavor may be the most important characteristic of a cocktail, but you shouldn’t underestimate the visual appeal. Whether you want to impress guests or be the best in your mixology class, dried fruit for cocktails can add color and sophistication to your drink.
From citrus wheels to dried pineapple, here are a few brands to choose from if you don’t want to dry your own fruit.
Best Dried Lemon
Blue Henry Dehydrated Lemons
Whether you’re preparing a Pink Dry with CUBA vodka or want to elevate a classic martini to a lavender lemon drop martini, these dehydrated lemons from Blue Henry make for the perfect garnish.
Carefully prepared by hand, the wheels pack all the fresh flavors needed to add tanginess to a drink or enhance a summer iced tea.
These dehydrated citrus wheels are made from fresh lemons dried naturally. They contain no sugar, no additives, no preservatives, and no chemicals whatsoever. This makes them perfect for a cocktail but also for teas, sparkling water, and soda.
You can also consume them regardless of your dietary needs or preferences. The dehydrated citrus wheels are vegan and contain no sulfites.
Buying dehydrated fruit from Blue Henry also allows you to support local brands. This small, Black-owned company is the perfect choice if you want to give back to the community.
Details
- Naturally dried citrus wheels
- 40 slices per pack
- Additive-free
- Vegan-friendly
- Gluten-free
- 1-year shelf life
- Net weight: 3oz
Best Dried Orange
Barrel Roll Bar Essentials Dried Orange
Sweeter than lemon wheels, dried orange slices are perfect for a Maple Old Fashioned, mulled wine, sangria, and other sweet beverages. This dehydrated goodness comes in a lovely jar with an airtight cap – a must to preserve the dried fruit properly.
The fruit comes from California and is naturally dried without the use of additives or other chemicals. Unlike the dried fruit from Blue Henry, these wheels from Barrel Roll Bar Essentials aren’t counted by number, which can be a downside when you get 17 pieces instead of the expected 20. Yet, all jars contain four ounces of net weight, which is more compared to Blue Henry boxes.
These dried wheels give the cocktail a subtle flavor that enhances rather than interferes with the drink’s fragrance. They also pair perfectly in bourbon cocktails.
Details:
- California-sourced
- 17 to 20 pieces per pack
- Gluten-free
- 1-year shelf life
- Net weight: 4oz
Best Dried Limes
Blue Henry Dehydrated Lime Wheels
Perfect for beverages and desserts, these dehydrated limes from Blue Henry are similarly prepared like the dehydrated lemons – after all, they come from the same brand.
The pack features the same net weight of three ounces, but each slice of dehydrated fruit is smaller, so you’ll get 50. Y
ou can expect them to preserve the fresh flavor without the use of additives, preservatives, or other chemicals. Suitable for all dietary needs, they are gluten-free and vegan.
These lime wheels are perfect for cocktails, mocktails, desserts, and soft drinks. Store them in a dry room in their original packaging or in an airtight container. Don’t store it in the refrigerator, as it may add moisture.
Details
- Naturally dried lime
- 50 pieces per pack
- Additive-free
- Vegan-friendly
- Gluten-free
- 1-year shelf life
- Net weight: 3oz
Best Dried Blood Oranges
Small Batch Cocktail Garnish Co. Dried Blood Oranges
If your cocktail asks for sliced blood oranges, but you don’t want to use the fresh kind, you can try out the dried ones from Small Batch Cocktail Garnish Co.
Coming in 2.5-ounce bags that contain 20+ pieces, these dried wheels release a subtle aroma into the cocktail. They are also decorative and suitable to use for various purposes.
Apart from the cocktail garnishes, you can add them to sangria, use them in mocktails, or decorate a fancy cake.
The company doesn’t always source its fruits locally but prepares them from fruits imported from countries where they are in season. For instance, in winter, the fruit come from Australia.
Like other dehydrated fruits, they have a shelf life of about a year when stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. They come in a ziplock bag.
Details
- Naturally dried fruit
- 20+ pieces per pack
- 1-year shelf life
- Net weight: 2.5oz
Best Dried Orange Twist
Collins Orange Peel Twist
Citrus wheels add texture and exceptional aesthetic value to most cocktails, but your drink may require something different, such as an orange peel twist. Ideal for mojitos, martinis, margaritas, and Old Fashioned drinks, the twists from Collins bring exquisite flavors in a sweet syrup.
The product doesn’t suit people who have to follow a sugar-free diet, but it doesn’t contain other preservatives or additives.
These peels have a shelf life of about one year and can be stored in the refrigerator, and they come in 10-ounce jars.
Details:
- Dried citrus peels in syrup
- 1-year shelf life
- Net weight: 10oz
Best Dried Pineapple
Dehydrated Pineapple Half Moons
Whether you’re making a pina colada or other tropical cocktails, dehydrated pineapple concentrates bursts of flavor into your drink. Those from Garnish Me are ethically sourced from Sri Lanka, then processed and packed in the USA, in facilities in Texas.
Each dry fruit pack contains over 30 half-moons of naturally dehydrated pineapple. The peel adds aesthetic value, but it can be removed if you want to use the fruit in desserts or as a healthy snack.
These pineapple pieces come in a ziplock bag and can be stored in a dry, cool place. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as moisture could alter their shelf life.
Details:
- Natural dehydration process
- 1-year shelf life
- Net weight: 3.5oz
Making Your Own Dried Fruit
Buying ready-made dried fruit is nice and all, but you can also make your own. The easiest way is to dry citrus fruits, but you could also use strawberries, pears, apples, grapefruit, and vegetables.:
- Wash the fruits and cut them into thin slices.
- Brush each slice with some citrus juice
- Dehydrate in a food dehydrator for around five hours at 160°F
- Store the dried pieces in an airtight container
If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can prepare dried citrus and other fruits, such as dried apricots, in the oven. Thinly slice the fruit and place the sliced fruit on parchment paper or a baking sheet on a wire rack and dry with the oven set on the lowest setting until they become crisp. Don’t forget to turn the fruit every so often.
FAQs
Is dried fruit good for cocktails?
Yes, dried fruit adds a subtle flavor to the cocktails and enhances the drink’s visual appeal.
How do you make dried fruits for cocktails?
You can prepare dehydrated cocktail garnishes in a food dehydrator. Citrus fruits and pineapple are the easiest to dry and preserve for longer times.
How to make dehydrated citrus for cocktails?
All you have to do is to slice the fruit, brush it with citrus juice, and dehydrate it at a temperature of around 160°F for about five hours.
How long do dehydrated garnishes last?
If dehydrated and stored correctly, dried sliced fruit garnishes have a shelf life of about 12 months.
Key Takeaways
- Preservative-free and gluten-free dehydrated fruits are available from several brands, or you could make your own.
- If not consumed immediately, store the various fruits in airtight containers in a cool and dry place.
- Unless you want to preserve the fruit in syrup, don’t keep it in the refrigerator. Moisture can shorten the shelf life.
- Blue Henry is one of the best brands making dehydrated fruits for cocktails and a good choice if you want to support a local small business.
