# Best Citrus Zesters Source: https://cocktailgearhub.com/best/best-citrus-zesters Updated: 2026-10-20 Publisher: Cocktail Gear Hub. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://cocktailgearhub.com/how-we-research#our-score Fresh citrus zest is one of the cheapest ways to lift a cocktail, adding aromatic oils that a bottle of juice simply cannot. The right zester pulls fine shavings for rimming or long, elegant twists to drape over the glass. A fine grater style gives you fluffy zest for cocktails and cooking, while a channel knife carves those bartender-worthy spirals. Look for a sharp, comfortable handle and a blade that bites without digging into the bitter pith. Below we compare zesters that make garnishing quick, so more of your citrus ends up in the drink. ## Picks ### 1. OXO Good Grips Citrus Zester With Channel Knife Our score: 9.2/10 (Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) OXO Good Grips' citrus zester with a channel knife for both fine zest and long cocktail twists. Pros: - Channel knife cuts long citrus twists for Old Fashioneds - Zester holes give fine strands for garnish or syrups - OXO Good Grips handle is comfortable and non-slip Cons: - Zester creates strands rather than fine powdery zest - Channel knife needs practice to cut clean twists Details: https://cocktailgearhub.com/product/B07L5D4L5Y ### 2. Deiss PRO Lemon Zester & Heavy Duty Cheese Grater Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Deiss PRO's heavy duty lemon zester and cheese grater with sharp stainless blades for fine citrus zest. Pros: - Heavy duty build handles frequent zesting - Sharp blades create fine zest with little effort - Works for both bar prep and kitchen cooking Cons: - No channel knife, so cocktail twists need a separate peeler - Very sharp blades need careful cleaning with a brush, not fingers Details: https://cocktailgearhub.com/product/B0738C7RXF ### 3. Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester 18/8, Black - Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Citrus, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic, Ginger, Nutmeg, Chocolate - Stainless Steel Grater Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Microplane Premium Classic Series zester in black, a stainless steel blade grater for citrus, parmesan, garlic, ginger and nutmeg, dishwasher safe. Pros: - Photo-etched blades listed to remove zest while leaving the bitter pith behind. - 18/8 stainless steel blade listed as made in the USA and dishwasher safe. - Also handles hard cheese, ginger, garlic and nutmeg. Cons: - At $17.95 it costs more than generic zester graters. - A zester only, with no channel knife for making cocktail twists. Details: https://cocktailgearhub.com/product/B00151WA06 ### 4. HAMOER Lemon Citrus Zester Channel knife for Lemon Twist Grates 2in1 Tool Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) HAMOER 2-in-1 lemon zester with channel knife, with five zesting holes and a channel knife for citrus strips, rubber-covered handle and dishwasher safe. Pros: - Combines a five-hole zester and a channel knife for twists and strips. - Ergonomic handle covered in soft rubber, with stainless steel blades. - Listed as dishwasher safe, and priced under $10 for both tools. Cons: - Not the OXO tool it replaces; HAMOER is a less established brand. - Plastic handle and no blade cover are listed. Details: https://cocktailgearhub.com/product/B0DKRYJT4G ### 5. OXO Good Grips Etched Zester & Grater | Microplaner, Blade Cover, Comfortable Grip, Citrus, Lemon, Lime, Orange Peel, Chocolate, Hard Cheese, Dishwasher Safe Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) OXO Good Grips etched zester and grater with a blade cover, non-slip foot and soft handle, for citrus, hard cheese, chocolate, garlic and ginger. Pros: - Etched surface for zesting citrus and grating hard cheese, chocolate and ginger. - Comes with a blade cover, non-slip foot and a hanging hole. - From an established kitchen brand and dishwasher safe. Cons: - A zester and grater only, with no channel knife for twists. - Listing gives little detail on blade material. Details: https://cocktailgearhub.com/product/B07V39LSRY ### 6. KITCHENDAO Citrus Lemon Peeler Zester Tool to Save Effort, Ultra Sharp Lemon Rind Twist Peeler Tool Bar Bartender Lime Stripper for Cocktails Kitchen, Yellow Our score: 7.2/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10) KITCHENDAO 2-in-1 citrus tool with a five-hole zester and a channel knife, suited to lemon zest and twists for cocktail garnishes. Pros: - Combines a five-hole zester and a channel knife, covering both zest and long twists - Channel knife is described as aligned with the handle for easier garnish cutting - Priced under $10, an inexpensive way to add garnish tools to a bar kit Cons: - Two tools in one means neither is as specialized as a dedicated Microplane-style zester - Listing does not state the blade material in detail, so check the full description Details: https://cocktailgearhub.com/product/B08F9HCD6R ### 7. Cambom Lemon Zester Grater Three-piece Suit - Heavy Duty Kitchen Tool for Parmesan Cheese, Ginger, Garlic, Nutmeg, Chocolate, Vegetables，Fruits，Stainless Steel Grater Dishwasher Safe Black Our score: 7.0/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10) Cambom three-piece grater set with fine, coarse and extra coarse holes plus a cleaning brush, handy for lemon zest, ginger and garnishes. Pros: - Three grating grades in one set, so you can pick fine zest or coarser shreds - Includes a cleaning brush, which helps clear zest from the small holes - Priced under $10 for the full set, good value for bar and kitchen prep Cons: - Unknown brand with limited detail on materials in the listing - Built as a general kitchen grater set, not a bar-specific citrus zester Details: https://cocktailgearhub.com/product/B0948F1PKM ### 8. RSVP Citrus Keeper and Zester Our score: 6.7/10 (Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10) RSVP's citrus keeper and zester combo that stores cut citrus while giving a simple zesting tool. Pros: - Citrus keeper preserves cut lemons and limes for later - Zester adds garnish flexibility for syrups and drink toppings - Handy combo for minimizing citrus waste between cocktail nights Cons: - Keeper takes fridge space for a single piece of fruit - Zester is less specialized than dedicated tools Details: https://cocktailgearhub.com/product/B078H2K2QH As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.