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Summer Lovin'! Olive oil and cocktails are canoodling at Fig & Olive on Melrose Place.


By: Maren Swanson • August 6th, 2014

The Summer Cocktails at Fig & Olive on Melrose Place.

While we Los Angelenos may have gotten a short break from the heat this week, we all know know that August has some more heat waves somewhere up its sleeves. How do I cool down when it's 90 degrees outside? First, I get the heck out of my home and second, I usually go for a cold drink. Many restaurants and bars throughout Los Angeles have been launching summer cocktail programs, which begs the question: which ones should I hit first?!

Blood Orange Infused Olive Oil at Fig and Olive
The Fig & Olive cocktail at Fig & Olive on Melrose Place.

I headed to Fig & Olive to check out their new summer cocktail menu the other night. The place is a hop, skip and Lyft away from my place, so it's very convenient and according to the line of diners waiting at the hostess stand that night, still very happening. The Melrose Place location offers Farmers Market inspired seasonal dishes and cocktails, and many of them are made from their own line of olive oils and vinegars. Olive oil in cocktails? Yes, they are very serious about olive oil and you will even find it in their new summer signature cocktail: The Fig and Olive.


The Arugula Smash at Fig & Olive on Melrose Place
The Sweet Red Pepper cocktail at Fig & Olive on Melrose Place

The Fig and Olive cocktail reminded me of the sunset with discernible layers of pink and orange (visible thanks to the olive oil). Comprised of cucumber infused vodka, blood orange infused olive oil, blood orange puree, cucumber, egg white and bitters, this cocktail would be a great substitute for your usual weekend mimosa; the flavors were bright, perky and pleasurable.

Other great additions to their summer cocktail menu include the Arugula Smash (rum muddled with celery and arugula, lemon, simple syrup, black pepper), the Sweet Red Pepper (tequila, fresh muddled strawberries, aperol, passion fruit syrup, lime, sweet red pepper) and their Sangria (white wine, pisco, rhubarb juice, grenadine, muddled raspberries, sage, bitters). The Arugula Smash was one of the more unique flavored cocktails that I've tried this season - the arugula flavor was very prevalent and best for those who prefer a non-sweet sip. I also enjoyed their creative version of a white wine Sangria.

The Crostini Tasting Plates at Fig & Olive.
The Crostini Tasting Plates at Fig & Olive.

One of my favorite things to do at Fig and Olive while I'm at the lounge is nosh. I have to have my drink and my small bites, so I can't forget to mention their new antipasto plates that are categorized by their country: French, Italian and Spanish. The French tasting plate had Fromage de Chèvre with olive oil, baby beets with raspberry dressing, heirloom cherry tomato with micro basil and a cucumber and yogurt crostini. The Spanish plate wore beef tartare, malaga olives and a crostini of Manchego, fig jam, and Marcona almonds. Feeling Italian? Try their other plate of Gorgonzola, mixed olives, and a crostini of mushroom, artichoke and parmesan. Fan-freakin-tastic nosh plates.

If you happen to make it to the West Hollywood area for drinks and/or dinner at Fig & Olive, then I recommend starting with their signature Fig & Olive cocktail. Now you can drink your olive oil and eat it, too.

Fig & Olive Melrose Place on Urbanspoon


Fig & Olive (Melrose Place)

8490 Melrose Pl, West Hollywood, CA 90069

(310) 360-9100