This January, a popular restaurant chain is swapping green juices for a taste of the Mediterranean in a unique wellness promotion. The Real Greek is offering all diners a complimentary ceremonial shot of extra virgin olive oil at its restaurants across the United Kingdom.
Liquid Gold: A 3,000-Year-Old Ritual
The initiative, named the Liquid Gold Reset Ritual, runs from 12 to 31 January 2026. Upon arrival, guests will be presented with a shot of high-quality Greek extra virgin olive oil, a practice inspired by ancient traditions where olive oil was revered as a symbol of health and vitality.
Each shot is accompanied by a small informational card that reads, “You’ve just taken Liquid Gold, a 3,000-year-old wellness ritual powered by good fats.” Furthermore, participants will receive a voucher for 20% off their next visit, adding tangible value to the experience.
Tapping into Modern Wellness and Shot Culture
The campaign cleverly intersects the contemporary popularity of ‘shot culture’—typically associated with vitamins or spirits—with genuine nutritional science. Extra virgin olive oil is a cornerstone of the celebrated Mediterranean diet, renowned for its health benefits.
Jordan Hawoth, a gastrointestinal physiologist, has endorsed the trend, suggesting that ceremonial olive oil shots are poised to be one of the standout wellness movements of 2026. The oil’s high concentration of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants is linked to improved gut health, cardiovascular support, and reduced inflammation.
More Than a Gimmick: A Culinary Philosophy
For The Real Greek, this ritual is a natural extension of its existing culinary ethos. The restaurant’s menu is built around fresh, wholesome ingredients central to Mediterranean living, including hummus, tzatziki, souvlaki, and Greek salads.
The chain prides itself on using high-quality olive oil sourced from Crete in every dish, with a bottle placed on every table. This promotion offers a direct, engaging way to highlight a key ingredient that is fundamental to both their cooking and the associated lifestyle benefits.
By offering the Liquid Gold Reset Ritual for two weeks only, The Real Greek provides a tasty and novel excuse for Britons to embrace a Mediterranean-style reset at the start of the new year.
