This Olive Oil Cocktail Technique Could Change Your Game - Try the Lemon Olive Oil-Washed Vesper (with Recipe)

Lemon olive oil-washed gin or vodka takes the classic Vesper to the next level, adding silky texture and vibrant citrus notes to this iconic cocktail.

If you want to seriously up your cocktail game, olive oil-washing your spirits is the elegant twist you didn’t know you needed. I recently experimented with something I’d seen popping up on cocktail menus everywhere: olive oil-washed spirits. Specifically, I tried oil-washing my vodka with Sicilian lemon olive oil, and it was a game-changer. I usually reach for Chopin potato vodka in my drinks because I love its rich mouthfeel, and I wanted to replicate that smoothness with a unique twist. What I ended up with was something incredibly special - silky, citrusy, and complex, with a luxurious texture that elevated every sip.

Fat-washed cocktails have been trending for a while now - from butter-washed bourbons to bacon-washed whiskey - and the technique adds a beautiful depth and body to spirits. Olive oil, especially infused varieties, offers a more subtle and elegant take. My Sicilian lemon olive oil-washed vodka was perfect, you can use it in almost anything you would use a rich lemon vodka, but if you really want to make a splash with flavor, I recommend fat-washing gin instead, and using it in a Vesper, where gin is the star of the show.

What’s a Vesper?

The Vesper Martini was made famous by James Bond in Ian Fleming’s novel Casino Royale. Bond orders it with precision: “Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel.” At the time, Gordon’s gin was higher in proof than today’s version, and Kina Lillet, which added a distinctive bitter, quinine note, has since been discontinued. The modern substitute is Lillet Blanc, a bit sweeter and lighter, but still a great match (you can also use Dolin's Blanc Vermouth). The Vesper is bold, clean, and strong - and with olive oil-washed gin, it becomes even more intriguing, adding a silky texture and subtle citrus note that elevates the cocktail’s classic profile.

How to Make Lemon Olive Oil-Washed Gin

Ingredients:

1 cup gin (choose a great London dry)

1 tablespoon high-quality lemon-infused olive oil

Instructions:

Combine gin and olive oil in a sealed jar or bottle. Shake well for 30 seconds and let sit at room temperature for 1-3 hours. Place the jar in the freezer for a few hours - the oil will solidify on top. Once solid, remove the oil "puck", then strain the liquid through a coffee filter or fine mesh into another container to remove the rest of the oil. Store your olive oil-washed gin in the fridge.

Olive Oil-Washed Vesper Recipe

Ingredients:

2 oz olive oil-washed gin

1 oz vodka

0.5 oz Lillet Blanc

Lemon peel for garnish

Instructions: Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Pro tip: Use a high-quality olive oil with real lemon infusion - it makes all the difference. This cocktail is bright, smooth, and just indulgent enough to feel like a splurge- even if you’re just sipping at home.

Christianne Klein is an Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning TV Host, journalist, travel and lifestyle expert, and founder of FoodFamilyTravel.com.

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