The neural basis of behaviour is identified by systematically disrupting the activity of specific neurons and screening for loss in phenotype. High scoring behavioural assays are thus necessary for identifying the neural circuits of novel behaviours. Here, we report the design and use of a Y-maze based classical olfactory learning and memory assay in Drosophila. Appetitive memory scores in our Y-maze are considerably greater and longer-lasting than that from a commonly used T-maze design. We show that testing in the Y-maze is key to the improved scores. We also observed considerable 24-hour aversive taste reinforced memory performance with only one training trial using Y-mazes. This allowed us to determine the protein synthesis dependence of long-lasting aversive taste memories for the first time in flies. The Y-maze assembly will make olfactory conditioning more accessible and it will allow the study of novel memory phenotypes in Drosophila.