Heritage Poured Fresh: KL’s Must-Try Merdeka Flavours
From refined tea rituals to bold beverage innovations, Kuala Lumpur’s hospitality scene is raising a toast to Malaysia’s heritage this Merdeka season. Element Kuala Lumpur celebrates local flavours with its Merdeka Rasa Afternoon Tea, pairing delicate treats with a thoughtful nod to the nation’s culinary roots. Renaissance Kuala Lumpur takes a creative leap with the launch of the Bandung Pandan Spritz, Malaysia’s first national mocktail and the official drink of Visit Malaysia 2026.
Over at Courtyard by Marriott Kuala Lumpur South, another Merdeka Afternoon Tea unfolds, blending tradition with contemporary flair. Meanwhile, Marriott Bonvoy stirs the scene with its first-ever Coffee Rave, transforming the beloved brew into a high-energy, sensory experience. Together, these launches prove that in Malaysia, every sip tells a story.
Element Kuala Lumpur
Element Kuala Lumpur partners with Dilmah Tea for the Merdeka Rasa Afternoon Tea, a celebration of Malaysia’s culinary heritage. Hosted at TRACE Restaurant & Bar on Level 40, the experience pairs bold local flavours with panoramic city views and refined tea selections. Guests are welcomed with a chilled Rosehip & Hibiscus Iced Tea, infused with hibiscus, mint, and citrus, before indulging in a menu of six savoury and five sweet creations—each matched with a specific Dilmah tea.
Savoury highlights include the Pulled Beef Rendang Vol-au-Vent, slow-cooked for over six hours, and a Lobster Roll with Garlic Cheese Sauce featuring fresh Sabah lobster. Sweet indulgences shine with the Pandan Cranberries Scone, perfected over two years by Pastry Chef Hafiz Iskandar, and the Peach Tea Cream Cheese Mousse, topped in the colours of the Jalur Gemilang.
Another standout is the Honey Chamomile Jelly, layered with fresh fruit and crowned with chewy sengkuang pearls—an elegant nod to Malaysia’s vibrant dessert traditions.
Presented in a nostalgic three-tier basket, the Merdeka Rasa Afternoon Tea blends nostalgia with modern flair. Each set includes two Dilmah flavored green teas to take home. Priced at RM168 nett for two, it’s available daily from 1 August to 30 September 2025, between 1pm – 5pm. To make a reservation, visit Merdeka Rasa Afternoon Tea.
Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel & Convention Centre
Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel & Convention Centre launched Malaysia’s first official mocktail—the Bandung Pandan Spritz. The drink won the Signature VM 2026 Mocktail Championship 2025 and will be the official beverage for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
Local bartender and Renaissance KL ambassador Muhammad Nadzemi Norihan created the mocktail. He drew inspiration from Sirap Bandung, a beloved Malaysian drink. Nadzemi reimagined it with clarification and carbonation techniques, signatures of modern mixology. The result is a refined, zero-proof beverage that blends tradition with creativity, embodying the theme “Malaysia in a Glass.”
The Bandung Pandan Spritz impressed with its bold twist on local flavours and its fit with the global trend for sophisticated non-alcoholic drinks. More than a beverage, it stands as a cultural expression—rooted in heritage yet modern in technique. Nadzemi’s craft reflects a shift in bartending culture, where zero-proof cocktails earn celebration as symbols of national pride and storytelling.
Courtyard by Marriott Kuala Lumpur South
Courtyard by Marriott Kuala Lumpur South invites you to celebrate Malaysia’s spirited patriotism this August with its new Merdeka and Malaysia Day Afternoon Tea Set. Served exclusively at the Courtyard Lounge from 3pm to 6pm, the experience blends tradition with indulgence. Guests can enjoy a curated spread of delicate pastries, savoury bites, and premium teas, all crafted with signature Malaysian warmth. It’s the perfect way to share a moment of unity and heritage with family or friends—one delicious detail at a time.
Marriott Bonvoy Introduces First-Ever Coffee Rave
Marriott Bonvoy turns up the energy with Brew With Benefits—a travelling coffee rave that’s equal parts cultural tribute and caffeinated celebration. This campaign is happening through August and September at select hotels nationwide. Guests can enjoy Malaysia’s vibrant café culture with inventive coffee artistry, set to playlists that groove with every pour.
At the centre is guest barista Wira Merican, founder of cult coffee collective hétam+, known for reimagining Merdeka flavours in bold, unexpected ways. Think pandan, Harumanis mango, pineapple, and rose syrup—transformed into limited-edition cofftails that blend heritage with contemporary flair.
His menu, featuring creations like Emas to Khatulistiwa, comes alive through live brewing demos, intimate tastings, and storytelling sessions. Each moment celebrates Malaysia’s diversity and the unifying spirit of Merdeka—one cup at a time.
From Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral to The Westin Kuala Lumpur, Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah, and Penang Marriott Hotel, each stop invites guests to sip, savour, and collect Marriott Bonvoy points along the way. It’s a toast — or rather, a roast — to Malaysia in a cup.
