FtLion Awards 2017: Best Beverage of the Year?
In our dedicated pursuit of bringing you the most objective and comprehensive food reviews, we’ve visited more restaurants this year than at any other time – 52 to be precise.
And as 2017 comes to a close, it’s time for Feed the Lion to recognise the very best of the UK’s Halal culinary scene.
This year, #FtLionAwards 2017Â (sponsored by Smoky Boys BBQ & Grill Haus) is bigger than ever before with the following 10 categories, which include a minimum of 5 nominees diligently shortlisted by us following much debate and dialogue:
- Best Beverage of the Year
- Best Starter of the Year
- Best Main of the Year
- Best Dessert of the Year
- Best Burger of the Year
- Best Steak of the Year
- Best Kebab of the Year
- Best Newcomer of the Year
- Best Curry House of the Year
- Best Restaurant of the Year
At the same time, we’ll be offering you the chance to vote for your favourite on our Instagram and Facebook pages, where you’ll also have the chance of winning a £30 voucher to be spent at any of Smoky Boys three locations – Watford, Amersham and Hounslow.
SHORTLIST – Best Beverage of the Year
We want you to either: 1) vote for the following nominees, or 2) let us know both your favourite drink and the place you had it, all on our Facebook and/or Instagram pages.
AUROUS
Mojito £8.00
The Mojito by Aurous was one of the best we’ve tried, with the mint leaves strong enough to allow for the burst of the lemon to deliver that incredibly intense freshness of a well-made mojito.
DRUNCH
SELFie Lisa – Orgeat, Passion Fruit, Lime & Orange, £5.00
Having said that though, the excitingly named SELFie Lisa by Drunch in Regent’s Park, garnished with, as one would expect, an edible image of Da Vinci’s great woman herself, was indeed spectacular in both looks and taste. What gave this such a unique flavour was the orgeat – a sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar and rose water – which, when combined with the sharp freshness of the lime, really made for an extremely addictive drink. And though the passionfruit was just about discernible, in all, it really was superb, and one that certainly needs to be had without question.
MESA KITCHEN
Pear Cloud – Pear and peach purée, home made vanilla syrup, fresh lime juice, double cream, topped with almond dust, £6.00
As for the Pear Cloud byMesa Kitchen, then, honestly, this has to be one of the best mocktails we’ve had this year! The melody of flavours in this were such that only a sophisticated palate could properly evaluate and break things down. Nevertheless, in our humble evaluation, we marvelled at the way in which the almond-sprinkled slices of sour green apple married against the honey-like sweetness of the drink, while also working as a refreshing palate cleanser. An extremely clever, mature and highly recommended mocktail this, and one which is, dare we say, worth travelling for!
RICKSHAW RICK'S
Takalua’s Tipple (middle right) – Fresh Orange, Lime, Cranberry & Lemonade, £3.50
The Takalua’s Tipple by Rickshaw Rick’s; whoa! Now this was a really sour one, and yet so irresistible! A combo of freshly squeezed orange, which you get with your first sip, along with lime, cranberry and lemonade. The lemonade gives a sweetness that’s just noticeable over the sourness of the cranberry, and fresh orange and lime. An absolute recommendation!
TARSHISH
Bee Sting (right), £6.00
The Bee Sting by Tarshish was arguably the best of the lot, with an intense fruity taste that delivered those surprising bursts of sharp tanginess courtesy of the passionfruit seeds therein. An extremely addictive one this.
