6 days ago
Marriott Bonvoy brings Merdeka vibes with Malaysia's first coffee rave, 'Brew With Benefits'
IF you've ever wanted to sip pandan-infused espresso while vibing to curated beats in a hotel lobby, now's your chance.
Marriott Bonvoy is stirring up Malaysia's cafe culture with its first-ever coffee rave series, Brew With Benefits, happening across selected hotels this August and September.
Think Merdeka but make it freshly brewed, rich in local flavour and served with a contemporary twist. The campaign is a bold tribute to Malaysia's flavours, sounds and spirit of togetherness, served up in the form of cofftails (coffee mocktails) with a nostalgic twist.
These limited-time creations are infused with homegrown notes like rose syrup, Harumanis mango, pineapple and pandan, giving guests a deliciously modern take on familiar local tastes. The Brew With Benefits series by Marriott Bonvoy turns familiar flavours like pandan and rose syrup into elevated coffee mocktails.
And yes, every sip comes with benefits. Marriott Bonvoy members get to rack up points, unlock sweet treats and enjoy exclusive experiences throughout the event.
Marriott International Market Vice President, George Varughese said Malaysia has a vibrant cafe culture and Brew With Benefits brings that energy into their hotels in a way that feels contemporary, proudly Malaysian and unmistakably Marriott Bonvoy.
"To me, celebrating Malaysia through brews means honouring our diverse culture, flavours and stories in every cup. Coffee has always been a communal experience, whether it's a kopitiam breakfast or a cafe hangout.
"Each cofftail in our Brew with Benefits series pays tribute to the flavours Malaysians grew up with. It's about turning nostalgia into something new and exciting, while staying rooted in where we come from," he told Sinar Daily.
The brains behind the brews? Wira Merican, founder of local coffee collective hétam+, is all about mixing old-school Malaysian flavours with cool, modern coffee vibes. Each drink in the Brew With Benefits menu tells a story of Malaysian heritage, from the equator-inspired Khatulistiwa to the nostalgic sweetness of Saga.
When asked about balancing modern techniques with local flavours, Wira explained that he sees tradition and innovation as partners, aiming to create harmony between contemporary brewing methods and nostalgic Malaysian taste profiles.
"For me, it's about harmony. While we embrace modern brewing techniques like espresso extraction, layering, cold foams and carbonation, the flavour notes remain unmistakably Malaysian.
"Take our Merdeka coffee mocktail (cofftail) series under the Brew with Benefits campaign, each drink is built on familiar local ingredients like pandan, rose syrup and even Harumanis mango. But we present them in a way that feels new and elevated," he explained.
His creations in the Merdeka cofftail series feature everything from cold foams to espresso extractions, but always spotlight Malaysian ingredients.
"The key is to respect the flavour memory Malaysians already carry, the kuihs we grew up with, the drinks we had at family gatherings and then reintroduce them in a contemporary, refined format.
"Coffee is more than a drink, it's an experience, a memory, a story. This collaboration lets us showcase Malaysia's diversity through flavour and celebration," he added.
For him, coffee mocktails are not just new drinks, they're a way to serve the taste of Malaysia, proving that the future of coffee goes beyond beans and into culture.
"Through coffee mocktails, I'm not just offering a new drink, I'm offering a taste of Malaysia. I believe the future of coffee is not just about beans, it's about culture," he said. The campaign is a bold tribute to Malaysia's flavours, sounds and spirit of togetherness, served up in the form of cofftails (coffee mocktails) with a nostalgic twist.
And the lineup speaks for itself:
Emas: A golden, fizzy blend inspired by the royal Harumanis mango from Perlis. It's fruity, creamy and refreshing, layered with cold foam and robust espresso. Pure tropical nostalgia in a glass.
Khatulistiwa: A citrusy, bittersweet mocktail that mirrors Malaysia's equatorial vibe. With tropical acidity, natural sweetness and a rosemary finish, it's as bright as a sunrise.
Saga: A bold red drink named after the saga seed and the iconic Proton Saga. It's a creamy mix of tomato, strawberry and chocolatey richness, a tribute to national pride and resilience.
Belantara: Inspired by Malaysia's dense rainforests, this earthy-green mocktail blends fresh fruits with roasted coffee and a touch of sea salt, delivering a luxuriously smooth finish.
Here's where to get your sip on
You can find the Brew With Benefits cofftails at these participating hotels: Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral
Moxy Putrajaya
Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel
Palm Garden Hotel, Putrajaya (Tribute Portfolio)
Putrajaya Marriott Hotel
Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah
The Westin Kuala Lumpur
Penang Marriott Hotel
Whether you're a coffee geek, culture lover or just here for the points and perks, Brew With Benefits offers a whole new way to celebrate Merdeka, in a cup with vibes.
