Dearest gentle reader, perhaps you, like me, have been captivated by the allure of Regency London’s high society. Especially iwith the release of the much-anticipated Season 3 of the scandalous yet sophisticated adaptation of the Bridgerton book series this year. This season, the spotlight falls on Penelope, better known as Lady Whistledown, the notorious gossip of London’s elite. And truly, how could one resist? The drama, the costumes (despite their modern flair in Season 3), and even the tantalising glimpses of period-inspired cuisine—all make it impossible to look away.
Perhaps it’s just a personal fascination, but lately, I’ve found myself particularly enchanted by the tradition of British afternoon tea. The characters make it seem so irresistibly tempting. How luxurious and indulgent it must be to enjoy an array of tiered cakes, delicate desserts, and finger sandwiches, all accompanied by a perfectly brewed cup of tea.
To my pleasant surprise, I stumbled upon a Bridgerton-themed afternoon tea in KL while scrolling through social media. The desserts were not only inspired by but also named after the characters from the show. As a diehard fan, I simply couldn’t resist checking it out.
Spill the Tea
Charming and aptly named after Penelope Featherington’s favourite pastime, this quaint afternoon tea is called ‘Spill the Tea.’ Hosted at Horizon Grill, one of Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur’s esteemed restaurants, it offers breathtaking views of KL Tower and KLCC. Imagine sipping tea while gazing at the stunning KL skyline—now that’s the epitome of high society.
From the moment you step into the restaurant, you’re welcomed by pastel flower wreaths and arrangements, with the soft strains of a violin overhead, echoing the very soundtrack from the show. It’s clear that this Bridgerton-themed tea in KL is off to a promising start!
The afternoon tea features three tiers of delicate desserts and sandwiches, accompanied, of course, by a selection of fine teas.
Pinkies up ladies
We can’t simply gloss over the tea—it’s a Bridgerton-themed tea in KL, after all. Tea is at the heart of the experience. Not only is it unlimited, but you can switch it up whenever you like, choosing from a list of five different types of tea:
You can choose from the following:
- Brilliant Breakfast: A fine Ceylon tea, brewed for an extended period to achieve that robust, slightly bitter taste.
- The Original Earl Grey: Rich with the flavour of bergamot, enhanced by sweet floral and citrusy notes.
- Green Tea with Jasmine Flowers: A wonderful palate cleanser, elevated by the addition of whole jasmine petals for a more aromatic experience.
- Pure Chamomile Flowers: Reminiscent of apples and wonderfully relaxing, with the added benefit of being caffeine-free!
- Rose with French Vanilla: A sensual blend of rose flavour intertwined with the subtle creaminess of vanilla—the gentlest of the teas.
MFT’s Recommendation
Our recommendation? For those who don’t have an overly sweet tooth, The Original Earl Grey is the perfect choice. Its slightly bitter edge will balance the sweetness, while its mild sweetness pairs beautifully with the desserts, creating a harmonious and refined flavour experience.
Alternatively, consider trying the Rose with French Vanilla—hear me out—iced. The chilled temperature somehow enhances the aroma, bringing out the subtle floral sweetness even without added sugar. If you have a sweet tooth, the light creaminess makes this an irresistible choice.
For the caffeine enthusiasts, there’s also a refillable coffee selection available.
Scones of the first water
When I spoke with the head chef behind this afternoon tea, I was pleased to learn that everything—and I mean everything—was crafted to be authentically British. And it certainly shows.
The scones, served warm in both raisin and plain varieties, were accompanied by a tart (and refreshingly not too sweet) homemade strawberry jam. But the true standout was the authentic clotted cream. Any real afternoon tea enthusiast will appreciate how rare it is to find a tea in KL that serves scones with not butter, nor whipped cream, but genuine British-style clotted cream.
The combination of these spreads on the fluffy scones was simply sublime, and I can absolutely understand why London’s high society was so enamoured with them.
“You vex me.”
As mentioned earlier, the afternoon tea features character-themed desserts.
Take Kate/Kathani Bridgerton’s dessert, the Viscountess Kate, for example—it’s a tea-centric delight, which, of course, makes perfect sense.
The dessert was centred around matcha green tea. The matcha flavour completely dominated my senses, with a matcha biscuit base, a layer of matcha mousse, and a topping of matcha-infused white chocolate.
A small dollop of passionfruit compote was added on top, offering a refreshing contrast to the creaminess and bittersweetness of the matcha.
However, I struggled to see the connection between the character and the dessert. While it was undeniably aromatic and delicious, it just didn’t quite align with Kate’s persona. In my humble fan opinion, this dessert would be better suited for Eloise Bridgerton. Just based on vibes, you know?
“The bane of my existence, and the object of all my desires.”
A succinct way to sum up my thoughts on Anthony Bridgerton’s dessert, the 9th Viscount, would be: classic yet understated. The dessert was a Tahitian vanilla and caramel mille-feuille, with layers of crisp puff pastry, vanilla pastry cream, and a light spread of caramel.
Crispy, creamy, and sweet, yet it felt somewhat traditional—perhaps even modest. But, I must admit, the dessert captures Anthony’s character quite accurately—basic, yet thoroughly enjoyable.
“Dearest gentle reader-”
Are you ready for this season’s star? Introducing Penelope’s Love—a basil lime stone with lime gel and coloured white chocolate.
This dessert features a white chocolate mousse base, lime gel, and sponge cake, all delicately infused with hints of basil and lime. Complexity doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Much like Penelope herself, this dessert is a perfect fit—complicated, bordering on overly complex, yet still utterly delectable and eye-opening. It’s as if it were crafted to capture the essence of a quill grasped in hand, poised to reveal the next scandal.
“Under what foreign sun did you apparently get so sturdy?”
Admit it—we all shared Benedict’s thoughts when Colin was first unveiled, and I couldn’t help but have a similar reaction when I encountered the tea’s take on the third Bridgerton brother, Colin the Charmer.
This dessert features a Valrhona chocolate mousse made with Colombian chocolate, a process that takes up to four hours just for the mousse. Beneath it lies a chocolate sponge cake that adds textural contrast.
The dessert itself is silky smooth and buttery, with a sweet and citrusy candied orange peel at its center, offering a subtle counterbalance. I like to think it’s thematically spot on, reflecting Colin’s sensitivity beneath his exterior bravado.
Flawless, my dear (desserts)
Afternoon tea wouldn’t be complete without finger sandwiches, a quintessential part of the experience. These sandwiches were as traditionally English as they come, including the classic cucumber sandwich and the ever-popular coronation chicken.
The sandwiches offered are as below:
- Coronation Chicken with Coriander: A traditional sandwich with a rich curry aroma. Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of coriander—you can hardly taste it.
- Smoked Salmon with Smoked Cream Cheese: Satisfactory, though not the star of the show.
- Organic Cucumber, Natural Yoghurt, and Mint: Perfect for those who prefer light, refreshing flavours without the heaviness.
- Truffle Egg with Chicken Ham: A luxurious option, and undoubtedly my favourite of them all.
MFT’s review
So, dearest gentle reader, I’m sure you’re wondering whether Spill the Tea is worth it. With a price tag of RM188 per person, it certainly leans towards the more lavish side. However, considering the cost of most afternoon teas at 5-star hotels, it’s actually quite a steal—especially when you factor in the Bridgerton theme and the location in KL.
Suffice it to say, every offering was delightful. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the Colin the Charmer dessert and the Truffle Egg with Chicken Ham sandwich were the highlights of the afternoon tea for me.
And let’s not forget the added bonus that all beverages are refillable. There’s nothing worse than running out of tea with plenty of bites still left to enjoy.
For the casual afternoon tea enthusiast, this might be a splurge, but know that you’re in for a treat. But for Bridgerton fans? Don’t walk—hasten to this immersive Bridgerton-themed tea in KL.
Address: Horizon Grill, Level 58, 2, Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Open daily, 3pm – 5pm
Halal status: Pork-free, serving alcohol. *Note that the dishes served in the tea set do not include alcohol.
Spill the Tea is available from now till April 2025, and the menu changes every 4 months.
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