#FtLionAwards 2024 Beverage of the Year shortlist
This year, #FtLionAwards is being sponsored by Natural Freedom Company (NFC), an exciting new drinks company that have launched 51* Cola to revitalise the UK’s declining cola market.
#FtLionAwards 2024 sponsored by 51* Agave Cola
Made with all-natural ingredients and sweetened with agave, they have created four refreshingly innovative flavours — Original, Cherry, Tropical, and Spiced — to elevate cola to a whole new level by offering a guilt-free experience.
Founded by experts in the beverage industry, including CEO Azhar Paul whose expertise has transformed alcohol-free cocktail menus across the UK, 51* has already been praised by the likes of Farbez, the owner of award-winning London burger brand Bun & Sum.
Being both eco-conscious and committed to fair trade, not only does NFC donate 2.5% revenue to agave-farming communities, but its sustainable packaging minimises plastic without sacrificing on quality.
15% OFF + FREE SAMPLES: While retailers and hospitality partners can contact NFC to experience the future of cola with free samples (email [email protected]), FtLion readers can enjoy an exclusive 15% off all orders through 51* Cola‘s website using the code ‘FTL2024’ at checkout (valid 31 Jan 2025).We kick off #FtLionAwards 2024 appropriately with this year’s shortlist of best beverages reviewed across London and beyond.
- Beverage of the Year (1 Dec 2024)
- Starter of the Year (4 Dec 2024)
- Main of the Year (7 Dec 2024)
- Seafood of the Year (11 Dec 2024)
- Dessert of the Year (14 Dec 2024)
- Grill of the Year (17 Dec 2024)
- Burger of the Year (20 Dec 2024)
- Steak of the Year (23 Dec 2024)
- Newcomer of the Year (26 Dec 2024)
- Restaurant of the Year (29 Dec 2024)
- Winners (1st Jan 2025)
MANTHAN
Michelin-starred Chef Rohit Ghai’s Manthan in central London’s Mayfair put up two fantastic drinks.
The first was the Sindhu mocktail whose gentle tanginess ended in subtle bitterness, while the second was the uniquely thick and luscious Lychee Lassi which was full flavour.
MR WHITE'S ENGLISH CHOPHOUSE
Legendary Chef Marco Pierre White’s east London steakhouse Mr White’s English Chophouse Black Cow turned out to be most intriguing with its liquorice base giving way to the taste of the cola, before ending on a pleasant bitter note. Brilliant.
RIBEYE
You might recall how Ribeye in Manchester successfully won a number of awards in 2022 before going on to win Best Restaurant 2022.
Their latest restaurant in Birmingham didn’t let us down, with two mocktails. The first was the Pompeii Punch whose fruity zestiness assured sophisticated flavours, with the coconut meandering in the background, and the second was the Passion Fruit Martini, which maintained the sweetness of the vanilla throughout, before ending in an eye-squintingly satisfying tangy ending.
KAHANI
Chef Peter Joseph served us some phenomenal items at his 5/5-rated Kahani restaurant in London’s Chelsea, and the floral complexity of this Lychee Grove simply mesmerised our collective taste buds thereby priming us for the food to come.
RIWAZ
Riwaz by Michelin Chef Atul Kochhar in Beaconsfield served us this Passion Fruit Lemonade whose candy-like sweetness we all delighted over.
STEAK ON THE GREEN
Another steakhouse that also impressed with a drink was Steak on the Green in London’s Ealing. Its Virgin Passion Fruit Mojito was strong in flavour with the passion fruit beautifully contrasting against the freshness of the mint.
URUMCHI
Located in Central London’s Cosmo Place is the amazing Urumchi which scored a perfect 5 for its flawless menu. Amidst the food, however, we were served this Uyghur Herbal Tea.
Made up of what we were told is around a dozen ingredients that include cardamom, rose, cloves, and more, this lightly spicious and fragrant concoction was the best tea we’ve had in years.
