#FtLionAwards 2020 Beverage of the Year shortlist
What a year it’s been for the UK’s hospitality industry in general and the restaurant scene in particular, with four months spent under lockdown and restrictions enforced throughout the remainder of 2020.
We’re hoping therefore, that #FtLionAwards 2020 will play its part in helping to encourage everyone to Eat Out or Eat In To Help Out the restaurants we’ve carefully shortlisted this year.
To this end, we wish to also thank the UK’s best karak chai brand and award-winning restaurant Chaiiwala® for sponsoring #FtLionAwards 2020:
- Beverage of the Year (1 Dec 2020)
- Starter of the Year (4 Dec 2020)
- Veggie of the Year (8 Dec 2020)
- Main of the Year (11 Dec 2020)
- Seafood of the Year (14 Dec 2020)
- Dessert of the Year (17 Dec 2020)
- Grill of the Year (20 Dec 2020)
- Burger of the Year (23 Dec 2020)
- Newcomer of the Year (26 Dec 2020)
- Restaurant of the Year (29 Dec 2020)
- Winners (1st Jan 2021)
Of course, not only do you have the chance of voting for your favourite on our Instagram and Facebook pages, but you’ll also be entered into a prize draw, with three people chosen at random on 1st January 2021 to win x4 BREAKFAST VOUCHERS (sent via post) redeemable at any Chaiiwala® branch across the UK (T&C’s apply).
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.
BALANS
VOTE NOW ON Facebook/ Instagram
Balans served us two outstanding drinks. What defined this Mango Mule was the balance achieved between the lingering gentle heat of the ginger beer, the sweet-tangy combo of the mango and lime, as well as the fresh undertone of the cucumber.
As for the Chef Special’s classic Virgin Mojito with passionfruit, then it was more than it otherwise would have been, thanks to the mixture of the sour mintiness and the passionfruit’s hit of sweetness making this an enjoyably refreshing affair.
FLESH & BUNS
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We won’t be forgetting that extended sour slurp which introduced Flesh & Buns’ tantalisingly refreshing Yuzo Berry Soda any time soon. It’s amazing how the citrusy strength of Yuzu can just lift what might otherwise have merely been a very good berry juice.
MAISON BAB
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The previous time we reviewed Maison Bab, we ended up concluding: “Beverages were pretty poor.” Well, it couldn’t have been more different this time round. Their new mixologist, Raffa, wasn’t just super passionate about his craft, but produced was incredible beverages. Truth be told, all three were outstandingly good.
But, the Mint Time was as sophisticated a concoction as any mature palate could ever hope to try, with its mellow stretches of zesty sourness ending in the familiarly refreshing taste of the mint leaves therein. Just be sure to give this a little stir every now and then to enjoy the full effect.
The way in which the Tiki Bab gently undulated, from the citrusy sweet to the apple sour, only confirmed, with every given sip, that here was a talented mixologist with a solid all round game.
