CRAFTING a cocktail is very much like writing a song – get the notes right and you have a memorable hit.
Aloft by Marriott Langkawi Pantai Tengah strikes that chord with its music-inspired beverage selection at its W XYZ Bar.
Hotel general manager Shanmugam Thangavelu said the playful concept embodied Aloft’s passion for creating guest experiences through music and connection.
“The W XYZ On Tour menu brings a fresh rhythm to the island’s nightlife.
“Its combination of global influences and sense of discovery gives everyone a reason to come together and enjoy the moment.”
Like all Aloft properties, W XYZ Bar was designed to be upbeat and expressive.
Its sleek furnishings, colourful accents and open-plan space – nestled between the lobby and a verdant hillside – provide the perfect setting for anything from a casual afternoon drink to an energetic night out.
One of its mixologists, popularly known as Shaz, said the W XYZ On Tour cocktail playlist was split into three categories, starting with the signature Greatest Hits available across all Aloft properties.
Complementing those are the Supporting Acts or house creations unique to each participating location, as well as Country Specific offerings that showcase local flavours and cultural influences.
Every setlist needs an opening number and Shaz recommends the bestselling Paw It Like It’s Hot.
Taking cues from rapper Snoop Dogg’s catchy Drop It Like It’s Hot, the cocktail blends tequila with mango puree, pineapple syrup, coconut milk, lime juice, ginger ale and a sprinkling of allspice.
Creamy, fruity and refreshingly punchy, it is perfectly tuned to Langkawi’s tropical weather and the eye-catching Neko tiki cup adds stage presence to every serving.
“The cocktail was based on something Snoop Dogg supposedly had during his 2014 Australian Tour,” Shaz said, referring to the drink, adding that it was best sipped cold.
Music fans of the 1990s should have little trouble recognising the muse behind Spice Up Your Life – the pop phenomenon Spice Girls.
The libation is as bold and distinctive as its namesake. Dark rum, oloroso sherry, saffron honey and spiced black tea come together in this richly layered sour, whose enticing aromas belie complex tea notes and spirit-forward finish.
“Its flavour profile was similarly based on drinks the Spice Girls were said to enjoy during their tours,” said Shaz, a Sabahan whose career has taken him to the Maldives and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
The final entry among the Greatest Hits is Deja Yu, a nod to Beyonce’s Deja Vu and her acclaimed 2007 Tokyo performance, which marked the start of her first solo global tour.
The cocktail reinvents the classic Gin Spritz with a Japanese twist. Yuzu puree delivers opening notes, while jasmine-sakura syrup provides a smooth floral chorus that lingers through the finish.
“It’s a refreshing antidote for warm days,” Shaz said of the drink, presented over ice in a metallic cup.
The boozy creativity extends to the Supporting Cast which includes Rum Direction, a crowd-pleasing rum highball with lemon, honey and tonic. It is inspired by One Direction and the band’s 2015 Asia Tour.
There is also Ginny in a Bottle, a spirited take on Christina Aguilera’s Genie in a Bottle with gin, lychee, lemon and jasmine tea.
Flying the Malaysian flag is Kopi Me Softly, a bittersweet espresso martini that reimagines The Fugees’ Killing Me Softly and its 1990s Australian tour, through the lens of local coffee culture.
Even non-drinkers get their moment in the spotlight with mocktails like Pour Some Milo on Me, a comforting and chocolatey tribute to Def Leppard’s arena-rock anthem Pour Some Sugar on Me.
An enticing selection of snacks and bar bites accompany these tantalising concoctions.
For those aspiring to become the ultimate groupies of the W XYZ On Tour experience, there is even an interactive Drink Passport.
Every cocktail or mocktail ordered earns a stamp, and exclusive surprises and goodies await those who reach key milestones along the journey.
“What sets this experience apart is the storytelling in every sip.
“Music is a universal language and we want each drink to feel like a song you keep humming long after it ends,” Shaz added.
There are currently live screenings of FIFA World Cup matches as well, so make a date with football buddies and raise your glass to a wonderful show.
W XYZ BAR – Lobby, Aloft by Marriott Langkawi Pantai Tengah, Jalan Pantai Tengah, Kendawang, Langkawi, Kedah. Tel: 04-952 5252 / 012-225 2416. Business hours: Noon to 11.30pm daily.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
The stylish and breezy space of W XYZ Bar at Aloft by Marriott Langkawi Pantai Tengah. — JEREMY TAN/The Star
The breakout hit Paw It Like It’s Hot is best sipped while it’s cold. — Handout
Kopi Me Softly, a cocktail that celebrates local coffee culture. — Handout
Deja Yu is driven by yuzu puree. — Handout
