In recent times, olive oil has found its way into almost every aspect of life. From skincare routines to kitchen staples, it’s hard to find something that this versatile oil can’t improve. But one place you might not expect to find it is in your cocktail glass. Yes, you read that right—olive oil in cocktails!
So, why use olive oil in cocktails? Well, for starters, it’s delicious. It adds a silky texture and a hint of savoury flavour to your drink, balancing out the sweetness that often comes from mixers, juices, or fruit. Additionally, olive oil brings light, earthy notes to a cocktail, making it perfect for summer sipping or pairing with Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Bartenders around the world have embraced olive oil as a cocktail ingredient, creating innovative and delicious drinks that highlight its unique flavour profile. From classic Martinis to modern concoctions, olive oil cocktails are taking the cocktail world by storm.
But a word of caution—quality matters when it comes to these drinks. Using a premium extra virgin olive oil is essential to achieving the best flavour and texture.
There are several ways to incorporate olive oil into cocktails. One popular method is fat washing, where you combine a liquor such as gin or vodka with oil and let it sit for a few hours. Then, the mixture is placed in the freezer to solidify the fat, which is removed from the final product. This process infuses the spirit with the flavours of the oil, creating a rich and luscious cocktail with a delicious mouthfeel.
Another option is to add a few drops of olive oil directly to your drink. This method adds a subtle, yet distinct, flavour to your cocktail, enhancing its overall taste and aroma.
So, next time you’re shaking up a drink, don’t forget to reach for the olive oil—it might just become your new favourite cocktail ingredient! If you’re looking for inspiration, try these three cocktails. All feature the local flavours of African Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which exhibits a fresh, green fruitiness and pleasantly bitter notes that are beautifully highlighted in these cocktails.
Olive Oil Martini
75 ml vodka or gin washed* with African Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
15 ml dry vermouth
½ tsp African Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine vodka or gin, dry vermouth, and olive oil.
- Stir well until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
*To wash your gin or vodka with olive oil, combine 1 cup of your spirit with ¼ cup of African Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Shake vigorously to combine, allow to stand for at least an hour and then freeze for a few hours. Scoop off the separated olive oil.
Lemon Basil Twist
60 ml gin
20 ml fresh lemon juice
15 ml simple syrup
7.5 ml African Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4-5 fresh basil leaves
- In a mixing glass, muddle fresh basil leaves with simple syrup.
- Add gin, fresh lemon juice, and olive oil to the mixing glass.
- Fill the glass with ice and stir well until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Olive Oil Jalapeño Margarita
60 ml tequila
30 ml triple sec
30 ml fresh lime juice
15 ml agave syrup
7.5 ml African Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil & fresh jalapeño slices
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the fresh jalapeño slices.
- Add tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, agave syrup, and extra virgin olive oil to the shaker.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake well.
- If desired, rim a rocks glass with salt.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared rocks glass filled with ice.
For further information please visit https://africangoldoil.co.za
