In Japan, summertime is filled with sunlight, and nature comes alive with bountiful summer harvests. As temperatures and humidity levels rise, the premium Sencha Tea and Gyokuro Tea are harvested at the peak of summer to capture their maximum quality and flavour. Till today, Roku is still made with Sencha and Gyokuro Tea leaves from a traditional Japanese tea house.
For this summer, Roku Gin is collaborating with five luxury hotels and their respective dining establishments in Kuala Lumpur, as well as eight cocktail bars in Penang, to celebrate the blissful season with a medley of mixology and gastronomic pairings.
Whether you are in Kuala Lumpur for a staycation or heading downtown to meet up with friends, enjoy an array of exciting new Roku Gin cocktails harmoniously paired with delicious high-tea desserts and savoury offerings at the following hotels in Kuala Lumpur.
W Kuala Lumpur
The W Kuala Lumpur, an iconic hotel with brash and avant-garde style, offers guests with refreshing summer flavours of a special green tea dessert topped with Roku summer drinks. A complex dessert with layers of Japanese summer flavours, the Matcha Yuzu Azuki Choux is part of the Roku Summer Dessert & Cocktail combo (RM65). Yuzu and matcha blend flawlessly together with the subtle flavours of Roku Gin added.
The Roku Summer Fizz (RM40), a revitalising and spritzy aperitif that is overflowing with summery fruity flavours of dried kiwi and strawberries and heightened by the floral and citrus notes of Roku, is available this season at W’s Woo Bar and Wet Deck. The Yuzu Sour (RM40) is a traditional sour cocktail with vibrant yuzu flavours topped with orange bitters, making it the ideal summertime refresher. The Gin-Ger Negroni (RM40) adds an oriental flavour to the traditional Negroni by layering Campari, ginger, honey, and citrusy Roku.
121 Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
M: 012 347 9088
T: 03 2786 8888
Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur
The opulent luxury hotel is tucked away in the centre of KLCC and offers a variety of lounges and restaurants, including a lively rooftop bar with a stunning view of the city skyline. The trademark Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur Afternoon Tea Set from Ebisu, a pop-up restaurant in Altitude, showcases the delectable flavours of summer together with Roku summer drinks (RM188). A variety of Japanese-themed savoury and sweet delicacies are included in the set, along with coffee and tea options and exclusive Roku Gin cocktails.
The cocktail selection features Roku Sunny (RM45) with bright citrus flavours from Limoncello, lemon juice and Cointreau. The Roku Minted (RM45) is a minty refreshment featuring the harmony of sake and chilled gin. The signature cocktails are also available at Vertigo.
Level 53, Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur, 2, Jalan Conlay, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
T: 03 2113 1823
T : +603 2113 1822
The RuMa Hotel & Residences
Dubbed as the luxurious home away from home, The RuMa is a serene sanctuary that captures all the intimacy of a home run by an accomplished host.
SEVEN, the hotel’s lobby bar and lounge, offers all-day dining, including the exclusive RuMa Summer Afternoon Tea & Cocktails (RM138) that will delight the senses with bright and refreshing flavours of summer, from savoury to sweet selections, as well as a wide array of teas, elevated with Roku summer cocktails. The Matcha Dessert & Cocktails Set (RM55) also highlights the complex flavour profile of matcha in a dessert, as well as green-tea inspired cocktails.
Let the Fun Be-Gin (RM55) sets the right tone to the meal, infused with orange, lemon as well as passionfruit for a citrusy tipple. The M.J. or Merah Jambu (RM55) gets its pink hues from the strawberries used to make this fruity cocktail. Gindulgent (RM55) is a delightful combination of sweet and tart notes from calamansi, honey and assam boi; while SEVENth Heaven (RM55) is a classic creation of a local twist concocted with cinnamon and gula melaka, lending a flavourful complexity.
7, Jalan Kia Peng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
T : +603 2778 0751
Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur
The Four Points by Sheraton in Chinatown provides guests with a distinctive experience where the old and new coexist in the midst of the busy city centre. The lobby lounge, which offers stunning views of the city, is decorated with exposed raw brickwork, warm wood, and traditional jade-hued tiles, all of which were inspired by the neighbourhood.
Lady Yi’s Tea House introduces its signature matcha–inspired Roku Summer Dessert – Match Raspberry Finger – a light premium matcha mousse cake harmoniously layered with raspberry jam, paired with a selection of Roku summer cocktails (RM55 each). Made with refreshing nuttiness from the brown rice tea, the Genmai-Cha is also harmoniously mixed with gentle seaweed notes and uplifted by the citrus aromas of Roku. The Lady Collins is an elegant and refined highball layered with the floral and citrus aromas of the Lady Yi Signature “11 Treasures”. The Old Nutty Matcha takes you through a green tea odyssey, with calming aromas of matcha lifted with macadamia syrup and toasted peanut garnish.
7th Floor, No 2, Jalan Balai Polis, Kuala Lumpur 50000 Malaysia
T : +603 2035 7333
The Westin Kuala Lumpur
The Westin Kuala Lumpur is an experience hotel located in the bustling Bukit Bintang neighbourhood. It offers superior wellness accommodations with trademark conveniences. Enjoy a special Westin Summer High Tea package (RM208) from The Living Room, Splash, or 443 Bar Lounge, which includes a choice of savoury delights, sweet pastries, and buttery scones, along with Roku Summer Cocktails.
The Nuvola (RM45) is a refreshing summer beverage that combines Cointreau and Aperol with pineapple and mango flavours from the tropics. The Rosella Sonata (RM45) has a sweet and tart flavour with scents of roselle tea that are energized by grapefruit’s strong fruitiness.
199, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 55100
T : +603 2731 8333
If you’re in for more adventure, you can try the best Roku Gin summer cocktails at the following bars in Penang:
Backdoor Bodega
Backdoor Bodega, dubbed “the most mysterious of George Town’s speakeasies” by Lonely Planet, has a rotating selection of specialty drinks. Try out The Genmai Highball (RM40), Matcha Magic (RM40) and Mushi Mushi (RM40) along with a symphonic celebration of Japanese summertime happiness created using capis, sake, yuzu, and a garnish of pocky.
37, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Archipelago
In Penang, there is a delightful hidden cocktail bar called Archipelago that was inspired by bars in Cuba. The celebration of the new season begins with Enchante (RM45), followed by Magic (RM45) and the Blessings (RM48).
Backyard 114 Armenian Street, George Town, 10200 Penang Island, Malaysia
Good Friends Club
This speakeasy-like bar near Hin Bus Depot projects a particularly local vibe with Penang-inspired cocktails and flavours from a wider range of Malaysia. For the Japanese summer fest, their signature includes Kiss the Summer Collins (RM45), In Love with Roku Guava Sour (RM45) and Moving on with Smoky Martini (RM45).
39, Jalan Gurdwara, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
T : +6010 550 1204
Manchu Bar
Going through the crimson curtain and entering this secret gem is like opening a time capsule that will transport you to the Qing dynasty, complete with Manchurian-dressed servers and furnishings from that time. From the coasts, the Sea Foam (RM40), followed by Consort Gin (RM42) and The Pink Marmalade (RM42).
38 & 40, Jalan Pintal Tali, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
T : +6012 500 7588
Magazine 63
This famous cocktail lounge looks like a traditional Chinese inn where a martial arts brawl might break out. Magazine 63 is a hotspot for fine drinks that you must check out. Among them are The Perfect Match (RM40), The Roku n’ Ringo (RM40) and the Red Dates-tini (RM40).
63, Jalan Magazine, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
T : +6017 636 3551
Eki Sake Bar
Eki Sake Bar is a well-lit, high-ceilinged establishment that offers a large selection of Sake and Japanese cuisine made with contemporary inventive trends, fresh seasonal ingredients, and mouthwatering charcoal-grilled yakitori. The summer-themed concoctions with the Japanese Craft Gin are the Roku Moon (RM38), Gin Garden (RM38), and Summer Time (RM38).
68-2-1 & 68-3-1, Sunrise @ Gurney, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
T : +6011 2668 6683
Kara Kara
Kara Kara is a retro-futuristic concept bar and restaurant that draws inspiration from science fiction movies from the 1980s while portraying a vision of the future. Be sure to try out Into The Wild (RM58), Minted (RM48), Chill Like a G6 (RM48), Meanwhile in Kyoto (RM58) and Make Mine Matcha (RM48).
5B, Pengkalan Weld, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
T : +6017 270 6729
Red Forbidden Bar
Red Forbidden, one of the island’s newest nightclubs, marked its official launch on July 9 with a cocktail menu with a summer theme. Check out their Oriental Basil (RM48), Yuzu Akitori (RM48) and Fleur de Bamboo (RM48).
16, Gat LebuhMelayu, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
T : +6016558 7817
Summertime Bliss with Roku Gin will be available from 9 July till 31 August 2022. Hurry now and book your spot for a feel good summer vibe.
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