A TEA mixologist has proved there's more to life than a cup of builder's with an award-winning iced spiced chai.

Krisi Smith, co-founder of the Brighton-based Bluebird Tea Company, prospered at the national Chai Championships with a creative combination of crystallised ginger, spices, vodka and edible flowers.

She saw off competition from London Coffee Houses such as Kaffeine, Shoreditch Grind, and Fleet Street Press.

The 28-year-old, who founded Bluebird Tea Company in Gardner Street with partner Mike in 2013, said: "When they announced I had won I was a little shell-shocked.

"I knew my chai had gone down well but the creativity and talent in the room was on another level.

"It was such a fantastic evening, I met so many wonderful people and to win was the perfect ending. I was also so excited about winning the T2 copper teapot that I momentarily forgot I also won a trip to Australia. I can't wait to take my chai over there to represent the UK in the international finals."

Organised by T2 Tea, Krisi won a copper teapot and a trip to represent the UK in the international finals where she could win the prize of a lifetime - a a tea trail to India.

After two years of success, the competition was brought to the UK for its debut event in the UK.

The UK's most talented tea wallahs battled it out for the title.

Describing the inspirations for her winning recipe, she added: "A few years ago I created an almond milk, rooibos iced chai blend that we serve at festivals and that is incredibly popular, so I knew I wanted to do something iced.

"The twist was the smoke effect I created that made it look like it was a hot chai. Then for the judges I did an extra special twist on the iced chai by adding local vodka, Black Cow, made from milk whey, which added another twist as my chai was actually milk free."

After working in the tea industry for many years Krisi saw a gap in the market for a tea company that would focus on fun blending which was full of flavour - a term she coined Tea Mixology.

At Bluebird Krisi is responsible for all things creative - from creating new ideas and hosting tea blending workshops to web design and marketing campaigns.

She relocated three years ago but still takes her tea the northern way - strong and milky.