🍋 Citrus & Sea Salt — A Simple Way to Share a Little Light

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This season, I’m beginning a new kind of giving — handmade gifts that carry care, intention, and a touch of beauty.

This citrus finishing salt feels like bottled sunshine. Flaky sea salt infused with lemon and orange zest, rosemary from the garden, and a gentle heat from crushed pink peppercorns. It’s bright, fragrant, and effortless — the kind of thing that makes every meal feel just a little more special.

Sprinkle it over roasted vegetables, seafood, grilled chicken, or even a square of dark chocolate. It’s fresh, herbal, and just the right balance of salt and sparkle.

As it dries, your kitchen fills with the scent of citrus and rosemary — a small reminder that joy can come from simple things made slowly, with care.

Pack it into jars, tie with twine, and gift it to someone who could use a little brightness in their day.

Print Recipe

Homemade Citrus, Rosemary & Pink Peppercorn Finishing Salt

Bright, fragrant, and simple — citrus zest, rosemary, and pink peppercorns transform flaky sea salt into a handmade gift of sunshine.

Equipment:

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• Microplane or fine zester

• Mortar and pestle

• Glass Mixing Bowl

• Sheet Pan + Parchment Paper

• Small jars for gifting

Ingredients

• 2 cups flaky sea salt

• Zest of 2 lemons

• Zest of 2 oranges (one may be a blood orange for color)

• 1 teaspoon pink peppercorns, lightly crushed

• 1 small sprig fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flaky sea salt with the zest of 2 lemons and the zest of 2 oranges (I used one blood orange for extra color).

2. Add 1 teaspoon lightly crushed pink peppercorns — use a mortar and pestle to release their floral heat.

3. Add 1 small sprig fresh rosemary, finely chopped.

4. Rub everything together with your fingertips until the oils release and the salt turns fragrant and slightly tinted with citrus color.

5. Spread the mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

6. Let dry at room temperature for 1–2 days, stirring once or twice, or place in the oven at 170°F (75°C) for 20–30 minutes until fully dry.

7. Once cooled, transfer to clean jars.

Yield: about 2 cups (enough for four small gift jars)

To Gift

Spoon into small glass jars, tuck in a sprig of rosemary or a sliver of blood orange zest for color, and tie with twine. Add a little tag that reads:

“A pinch of sunshine for your table.” ☀️

Serving Suggestions

A pinch of this citrusy, herbal, gently spiced salt adds brightness to:

• Roasted vegetables — especially carrots, potatoes, squash, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts

• Grilled or roasted seafood — salmon, halibut, shrimp, scallops

• Simple chicken dishes — grilled breasts, roasted thighs, or lemony sheet-pan dinners

• Avocado toast — or sliced tomatoes with good olive oil

• Eggs — soft-boiled, scrambled, or fried

• Fresh fruit — oranges, berries, peaches, mango

• Dark chocolate — a tiny sprinkle makes it taste complex and luxurious

• Seasonal salads — especially those with citrus, fennel, or bitter greens

• Cocktail rims — especially for margaritas, palomas, or sparkling citrus spritzes

A Note on the Mortar & Pestle

I use a Carrara marble mortar and pestle for this recipe — the kind that feels like it could be a small sculpture in your kitchen. I picked mine up while traveling in Italy, and yes, it’s heavy. Pro tip: if you decide to get one as a souvenir, buy it toward the end of your vacation unless you want to carry 12 po unds of marble through airports and train stations for a week!

That said, you absolutely do not need a marble version to make this recipe. There are plenty of perfectly functional and more affordable options out there — ceramic, granite, or even a small wooden set will work beautifully. I’m just sharing mine because it’s a fun story, and I love using it, but don’t let it intimidate you.

Think of it as a little extra flourish, not a requirement — the real magic comes from your hands, the ingredients, and a bit of time.

A Note to Close

It doesn’t take much to make something meaningful — just your hands, a handful of salt, and a little zest.

This jar feels like light — bright, fragrant, and meant to be shared.