ABD Revolutionizes Whisky Packaging with Trendy 'Hippy' Design

ABD Revolutionizes Whisky Packaging with Trendy 'Hippy' Design

By Author

Published on November 14, 2023

Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited (ABD) is making waves in the whisky segment with its innovative approach to packaging. The company has unveiled a stylish and trendy 180ML pack named 'Hippy,' a contemporary reimagination of the traditional 180ml SKU, commonly known as the 'quarter.'

ABD, known for its commitment to constant innovation, introduces the Hippy as a consumer-centric offering, aiming to broaden the occasions where consumers can engage with the brand. The sleek and stylish design of the Hippy pack enhances its appeal across all age groups, marking a departure from the conventional 'brown-bag syndrome' associated with the humble 'quarter' or 'pau-a.'

Alok Gupta, Managing Director of ABD, expresses the company's dedication to innovation. "Constantly Innovating is one of ABD’s core values. The Hippy is a great example of this core value brought alive on the back of consumer-centric thinking. It is an offering that allows for widening the occasions where consumers can engage with our brand on account of its style quotient and mobile form factor."

Bikram Basu, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at ABD, emphasizes the liberation that the Hippy brings to alcobev consumers. "For long, alcobev consumers have suffered from the ‘brown-bag syndrome’ where they would be hesitant to be seen with their humble ‘quarter’ or ‘pau-a’. The Hippy allows consumers to break free of inhibitions and flaunt their Sterling Reserve BX Whisky."

The Hippy is currently available in select regions, including Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Daman, and Tripura, presenting consumers with a modern and stylish option to enjoy their semi-premium whisky. As ABD continues to prioritize consumer satisfaction and innovation, the Hippy stands as a testament to their commitment to redefining the whisky experience.


Serious Slice Is Celebrating World Tiramisu Day With a Classic That Needs No Introduction

Serious Slice Is Celebrating World Tiramisu Day With a Classic That Needs No Introduction

By Hariharan U

Published on March 12, 2026

Some desserts don't need reinventing, they just need to be made properly. And that's exactly the philosophy Serious Slice is bringing to World Tiramisu Day this year.

The Bengaluru-based Neapolitan pizza kitchen is celebrating the occasion with its classic Tiramisu, a dessert that's stayed faithful to its Italian roots, made the way it's always been made, with no shortcuts and no unnecessary twists.

The dessert itself is a beautiful thing in its simplicity. Layers of espresso-soaked sponge sit beneath a smooth, luxurious mascarpone cream, the kind that's light enough to feel indulgent rather than heavy. Every bite brings together the aromatic richness of coffee with the soft sweetness of the cream, and a fine dusting of cocoa powder on top adds that subtle bittersweet finish that rounds off the whole experience perfectly.

At Serious Slice, tiramisu isn't just a dessert on the menu it's a reflection of how the restaurant approaches Italian food overall. The brand is rooted in traditional technique, ingredient integrity, and a deep respect for the craft behind Neapolitan cuisine. The same care that goes into their wood-fired pizzas,through slow fermentation, high-heat cooking, and quality ingredients,goes into how they've approached this dessert.

It pairs naturally with the rest of their menu, making it the kind of ending to a meal that feels considered rather than added as an afterthought. Whether you're coming in for the pizza and staying for dessert, or making a dedicated World Tiramisu Day stop, the classic at Serious Slice is worth every bite.

Serious Slice has two locations in Bengaluru,Cunningham Road and RR Nagar.


McDonald’s India Recreates Iconic Ad with Sara Arjun for Buddy Meal

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 12, 2026

McDonald’s India – North and East has announced actor Sara Arjun as its Brand Ambassador, bringing back a familiar face many viewers remember from one of the brand’s popular television commercials. Years after appearing in the ad as a child, Sara now returns in a new role, marking a nostalgic moment for both the brand and its audience.

The collaboration coincides with the launch of McDonald’s new Buddy Meal, a value offering created for friends who enjoy sharing food and spending time together. The campaign is introduced through a fresh television commercial that also revisits the playful tone of the earlier advertisement.

The Buddy Meal includes two burgers,  customers can choose between the McAloo Tikki or Veg Surprise, along with two Coke and one medium fries. The meal brings together some of McDonald’s familiar favourites in a simple combo designed for two people.

The new film recreates the well-known “girlfriend–boyfriend” banter from the earlier campaign, adding a humorous and relatable twist. In the ad, Sara jokingly talks about how relationships today can feel “too demanding,” with her buddy expecting big gestures and even a bit of “princess treatment.” The moment takes a lighter turn when he admits that all he really wants is a McAloo Tikki, reminding viewers that sometimes the simplest things bring the most joy.

The playful exchange ends with the voiceover saying, “Shukar hai McDonald’s Buddy Meal for 2 hai… starts at just ₹119.” The film concludes with the two sharing the meal together, reinforcing the campaign message “Khao Meal, Baat Ke,” which celebrates sharing food, laughter, and easy moments with friends.

Commenting on the announcement, Anant Agarwal, Vice Chairman, MMG Group and CPRL, said,

“At McDonald’s India – North and East, we have always believed in creating moments that bring people together. Sara’s return to McDonald’s is a wonderful reminder of the deep emotional connections many customers have grown up with. With the Buddy Meal, we are celebrating friendship, nostalgia and the simple joy of sharing a McDonald’s meal together at great value.”

Sharing her thoughts on the collaboration, Actor Sara Arjun said,

“McDonald’s has been a special part of my journey since childhood. Returning to the brand for this campaign feels incredibly nostalgic. The Buddy Meal captures the simple joy of sharing food and laughter with friends, and it’s wonderful to be part of a story that brings back such fond memories while creating new ones.”

By bringing back a familiar face from one of its memorable campaigns, McDonald’s India – North and East taps into the nostalgia many customers associate with the brand, while also inviting a new generation to create their own moments at McDonald’s.

The Buddy Meal is available for a limited period across McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India, and can be ordered through dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, the McDonald’s App, and leading food delivery platforms.


Chef Hari Nayak Is Back at Four Seasons Maldives — and the Menu Looks Absolutely Stunning

Chef Hari Nayak Is Back at Four Seasons Maldives — and the Menu Looks Absolutely Stunning

By Hariharan U

Published on March 10, 2026

If you've been looking for a reason to plan a Maldives trip this April, Chef Hari Nayak just gave you one.

The celebrated chef is returning to Baraabaru, the award-winning Indian restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa for another residency that promises to be every bit as special as his previous visits. Baraabaru, named among CNN Travel's Top 10 Maldives' Finest Tables, is already one of the most respected Indian dining destinations in the region. With Chef Nayak back in the kitchen alongside Head Chef Kishan Singh, the combination of coastal Indian tradition and global culinary technique is going to be firing on all cylinders.

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This season's menu is a confident journey through India's regional flavours but done with personality and a contemporary edge that makes each dish feel fresh. Gujarat's Anda Ghotala makes an appearance alongside Kolkata's Beguni, while black garlic naan and barbecue butter chicken chops bring bold, satisfying flavours to the table. And then there's the gulab jamun crème brûlée, a playful, East-meets-West dessert that sounds like exactly the kind of thing you'd remember long after the meal ends.

The dish that's likely to turn the most heads, though, is Chef Nayak's signature whole baked lobster with coconut turmeric sauce and lemon rice. Bold, fragrant, and unmistakably his, it's the kind of dish that captures everything great about modern Indian cooking in a single plate.

Chef Nayak will be in residence at Baraabaru from 30th March to 4th April 2026. It's a short window, so if this is on your radar, now is the time to make it happen.

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