Afternoon tea has always carried a certain elegance to it. Tiny sandwiches, delicate pastries, warm cups poured across polished tables. But at Ascott Makati, tea became something more immersive, woven into a broader campaign centered on what the property calls “the art of fine living.”

The luxury serviced apartment recently unveiled the latest edition of Ascott Soirée, the global campaign of Ascott that brings together curated experiences around food, art, culture, music, fashion, and wellness. This season, the spotlight falls squarely on tea.

“At Ascott Makati, we don’t just offer fine living, we celebrate the many ways it can be experienced, through art, fashion, food, culture, music, and more. This is reflected in our global tagline, ‘Savor the Art of Fine Living,’” said general manager Cecille Teodoro.

At the center of the campaign is the Ascott Afternoon Tea, a collaboration between Ascott Makati and Mesclun Restaurant + Café, featuring a spread curated by chef Katrina Kuhn-Alcantara. The afternoon set arrives as the kind of leisurely feast that encourages lingering conversation over tea pots and tiered trays.

Savory bites include Mushroom and Spinach Empanaditas, Grilled Vegetable Sourdough, and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches, while sweets come in the form of bonbons and carrot cake.

But the tea itself is the true centerpiece.

Working with Apothecary owner and herbalist Rene McHugh-Rodrigo, the team developed custom blends intended not just to pair with the food, but also to create a more restorative experience.

“Food and tea are equal components of any Afternoon Tea, so it was important for us to create a pairing that is harmonious,” Chef Katrina said. “We worked closely with Rene to develop blends that are not only refreshing but also have positive effects for the body. We wanted the entire experience to feel intentionally nourishing and comforting.”

Guests can choose between two signature blends. The Glow Citrus and Mint Blend combines lemon, globe amaranth, and peppermint in a bright infusion said to promote relaxation and digestion, while the Warm Cinnamon and Spice Blend mixes ginger, cinnamon, and white fennel into something earthier and more comforting.

Ascott Makati formally introduced the campaign through an intimate tea soirée attended by members of the media and hotel guests, where Chef Katrina personally walked attendees through the menu. McHugh-Rodrigo also led a tea blending session that explored the craft and ritual behind tea preparation.

The campaign goes beyond food and drink. Guests also took home artworks by tea artists Esang Ocampo and Rens Tuzon, who use tea itself as their painting medium, further underscoring the versatility of the ingredient beyond the teacup.

In the coming months, Ascott Makati plans to continue the campaign through workshops and wellness-centered activities tied to tea culture, from mindful rituals to creative sessions open to the public.

The Ascott Afternoon Tea is available daily at Mesclun Restaurant + Café until June 30, 2026, from noon onward, priced at P1,495 nett for two persons.