Ahead of the Race Across The World Season 5 reunion tomorrow evening, we wanted to take a moment to look back over this year's instalment of the show.
We were delighted to see the contestants traverse India - much like our founders have been doing to discover our Indian drinks brands - from Varanasi to Gujarat, Goa and more. Viewers
were treated to a kaleidoscope of landscapes, cultures, and human connections.
Alongside the thrill of travel, it’s also an invitation to explore India’s evolving beverage heritage. Here's a little recap of the places our founders visited, and the brands in our emporium that hail from there.
1. From Himalayan Trade Routes to Darjeeling Teas
Early legs of the race cut through North Eastern India near Darjeeling. Amid lush tea gardens and mountain air, teams
relied on local hospitality to make progress.
Maharaja Drinks is home to a number of loose leaf Indian teas like Glenburn which spotlights estate-grown leaves plucked by women farmers from local communities.
As contestants negotiated transport and language barriers, we say that taking a moment to pause and sip a fragrant, high-mountain tea would have really hit the mark here.
Onwards to McCloud Gunj, a stone’s throw from Wah Tea estates in the Kangra valley, from where we import their delicious Kangra White Peony.
2. Tea Stops and Transit Tales
Throughout India, racers faced gruelling bus rides and impromptu homestays. In one leg, they even grapple with unexpected delays (and yes, “jungle poo” jokes abound!). Had we been on the road with them, we'd have taken a moment to point them towards a functional, refreshing drink. Not just as a thirst-quencher, but as a reprieve.
Borécha non‑alcoholic drinks, including iced teas, kombuchas and even Masala Cola offer just that: a fizzy boost that's
perfect for mid-leg revivals without the expense or tipsiness.
3. Coastal Push to Kanyakumari, and Spirits That Tell a Story
As the race barrelled
towards the southern tip of India, we saw budgets tightened and tensions rising. Teams were juggling transport, food
and accommodation. And sometimes
they grabbed odd jobs to refill their purse, including a stint in Nashik, Indian’s premier wine making region and the source of many of our Indian wines.
This push to the finish inspires a celebratory spirit. Our range at Maharaja Drinks includes single malt Indian whiskies like Paul John from Goa, and Amrut Peated from Bangalore—each embodying the layered flavours and craft heritage of those last stretches through India.
Picture finishing in the deep south at Kanyakumari’s iconic sunset with a glass of Smoke Lab Saffron Vodka from the far north. Smooth, citrussy, with hints of exotic wood and delicate saffron, a fitting salute to the grit and grace of the racers.
4. Brewing Connections Over Drinks
One of the key takeaways from Race Across the World is how strangers become allies through shared food, maps, warmth...and sometimes a meal or tea. This completely reflects our ethos of building connections through drinks and heritage: bottles and cans with provenance, sustainability, and community woven into every pour.
Whether it’s a green tea cooler mid-race or a final dram to toast success, know that each brand we have curated is a link back to India and its rich culture.
Race Across the World shows India not just as distance to traverse, but as a tapestry of taste, tradition, and generosity. At Maharaja Drinks we want to capture that same journey: delivering the taste, stories, and communities of Indian beverages to the UK.
Raise a glass to the race, the land, and the shared moments that make the journey worth it.
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