Name: Ouzo and olive oil sour
Yield: 4-6
Ingredients: 125ml (½ cup) ouzo; 80ml (⅓ cup) freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1 tbsp sugar syrup (see note); Ice cubes; Extra virgin olive oil, to garnish; A few small fresh lemon thyme sprigs, to garnish

Bright, zesty and irresistibly refreshing, this ouzo and olive oil sour is a spirited nod to classic Greek flavours. Combining the aniseed warmth of ouzo with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a simple homemade sugar syrup, it strikes the perfect balance of sweetness and zing. Shaken over ice until beautifully frosted, the cocktail is finished with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprig of lemon thyme for an aromatic lift. Elegant yet easy, this Greek tipple is made for warm afternoons.

For more cocktail recipes, try this delicious frozen margarita recipe, the classic negroni sbagliato or the refreshing lychee ginger rose cocktail.

Ingredients

125ml (½ cup) ouzo

80ml (⅓ cup) freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tbsp sugar syrup (see note)

Ice cubes

Extra virgin olive oil, to garnish

A few small fresh lemon thyme sprigs, to garnish

Method

Pour the ouzo, lemon juice and sugar syrup into a cocktail shaker. Add a few ice cubes and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds, or until frosted on the outside.

Strain into small cocktail glasses. Garnish each drink with 3 drops of olive oil and a lemon thyme sprig and serve.

NOTE For this recipe we use a simple sugar syrup, made by stirring one part sugar with one part boiling water until dissolved.

Opa! book cover. Cover illustration by Gemma Leslie — *(Illustration: Gemma Leslie)*

_{This is an edited extract from ‘Opa!: Recipes Inspired by Greek Tavernas’ by Helena and Vikki Moursellas, with cover illustration by Gemma Leslie, published by Smith Street Books, $59.99.}

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Recipe Helena and Vikki Moursellas Authors of Peináo: A Greek Feast For All (2023) and Opa!: Recipes Inspired by Greek Tavernas (2025)

Helena and Vikki Moursellas are identical twins born in Adelaide, South Australia. They learnt how to cook from their Greek grandmother, Koula, and grew up with a passion and love for Greek cuisine. They are the authors of Peináo: A Greek Feast For All (2023) and Opa!: Recipes Inspired by Greek Tavernas (2025), both published with Smith Street Books. Helena and Vikki are authors, photo chefs, recipe developers, food stylists and content creators, living in London and Sydney respectively.

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