Hilton Malaysia Commemorates 50 Years of the Iconic Jungle Bird Cocktail

Hilton Malaysia Commemorates 50 Years of the Iconic Jungle Bird Cocktail

By Author

Published on August 10, 2023

In a spirited celebration, Hilton Properties across Malaysia are raising their glasses to honour the 50th anniversary of the renowned Jungle Bird cocktail. This iconic concoction, born at Hilton Kuala Lumpur half a century ago, has captured the hearts and palates of cocktail enthusiasts globally. To mark this milestone, Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton outlets across Malaysia are launching the "Sip, Soar and Celebrate" campaign. Throughout the entire month, patrons will have the pleasure of savouring the Jungle Bird cocktail, a testament to the enduring legacy of this vibrant creation.

The Jungle Bird cocktail's roots trace back to the early 1970s, when Jeffrey Ong Swee Teik, the beverage manager at Hilton Kuala Lumpur's Aviary Bar, masterminded its creation. Inspired by the lush ambience, exotic surroundings, and vibrant birdlife visible from the bar's windows, Ong set out to craft a cocktail that embodied the essence of the jungle while offering a delightful experience for patrons.

While the Jungle Bird found favour among hotel guests and locals in Kuala Lumpur, its true ascent came through the pages of 'The New America Bartender's Guide,' authored by John J. Poister in the late 1980s. The Jungle Bird cocktail was spotlighted as a featured recipe in the guide, catapulting its popularity to a broader audience. The global bartending community embraced the Jungle Bird, incorporating it into their menus and cementing its status as a modern classic.

Linda Pecoraro, General Manager at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, extolled the cocktail's journey, stating, "The Jungle Bird's journey from its creation at Hilton Kuala Lumpur to its status as a globally recognized cocktail is a testament to the power of inspired craftsmanship and the ability of a drink to capture the imagination. Its blend of flavours, combined with its unique bird-shaped presentation, has made it an icon in the world of mixology. We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with the 50th-anniversary special edition box that comes with an elegant bird-shaped glass as well as the Jungle Bird cocktail served at Aviary Bar."

In addition to honouring the original Jungle Bird, the participating hotels are adding their creative twists, resulting in captivating variations that pay homage to Malaysian culture. These variations range from mocktail renditions to infusing the cocktail with local ingredients such as rice wine and pandan, providing an authentic reflection of the region's diverse flavours.

Indulge in the Jungle Bird cocktail at these participating outlets:

Aviary Bar, Hilton Kuala Lumpur (+603 2264 2264)

The Club Bar & Lounge and The Rooftop Bar & Grill, Hilton Kota Kinabalu (+6088 356 000)

Caffe Cino, Hilton Petaling Jaya (+603 7955 9122)

Cellar Door, DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur (+603 2172 7272)

Tosca, DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru (+607 268 6868)

Axis Lounge, DoubleTree by Hilton Damai Laut Resort (+60 5684 3333)

THE KOFFEE & Makan Kitchen, DoubleTree by Hilton Putrajaya Lakeside Resort (+603 8890 0000)

The Garden Grille, Hilton Garden Inn Puchong (+603 8084 1299)

For a deeper dive into the intriguing history of the Jungle Bird cocktail at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, explore eatdrinkhilton.com/jungle-bird-cocktail/.


Barista Coffee Unveils Festive Hazelnut Menu Across India

Barista Coffee Unveils Festive Hazelnut Menu Across India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 13, 2025

Barista Coffee has introduced a special festive café menu created with premium hazelnuts, bringing the warmth and flavours of winter to its outlets across India. The menu has been launched in collaboration with Hazelnuts for India, an initiative focused on promoting high-quality hazelnuts in the country. As part of the campaign titled “Go HazelNUTS with Barista,” the new offerings will be available across 150 Barista cafés in major metro cities.

The exclusive festive menu was unveiled at a special launch event held at Barista’s flagship café in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. The event offered guests an immersive tasting experience, showcasing the entire range in a cosy café setting themed around coffee and hazelnuts. The limited-edition menu features the Hazelnut Crunchy Frappe, Hazelnut Dry Latte, Hazelnut Matcha Tea Cake, and Hazelnut Chocolate Tart, each made using premium hazelnuts known for their rich flavour and texture. The menu will be available from 1st December 2025 to 28th February 2026.

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Speaking at the launch, Mansi Ahuja, Hazelnuts India Representative, AMPRO Marketing, said, “Go HazelNUTS with Barista campaign aims to place hazelnuts at the heart of the café experience. Through Hazelnuts for India, we want guests to discover hazelnuts in multiple forms, in their coffee, in their desserts and in their everyday indulgences, offering a healthy indulgent twist to their choices. The encouraging response at the launch reinforces our belief that hazelnuts have a natural place in India’s evolving café culture.”

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Rajat Agrawal, CEO, Barista Coffee Company, added, “We’ve always enjoyed experimenting with flavours and finding new ways to make every coffee moment feel a little more special. Over the years, our menu has continuously evolved to bring fresh, exciting, and premium tastes to coffee lovers across the country. Our new hazelnut-inspired offerings are another step in surprising our customers with choices that elevate their everyday moments. At Barista, we’re committed to pushing boundaries and creating café experiences that feel both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly new.”

The collaboration highlights the versatility of hazelnuts while strengthening Barista’s role as a preferred destination for festive indulgence and gifting. With this seasonal menu, Barista adds a warm and flavourful touch to the winter months, bringing a delightful café experience to guests across India.


CocoCart & Cafe Opens at Mumbai Airport Terminal 2, Redefining Traveler Experience

CocoCart & Cafe Opens at Mumbai Airport Terminal 2, Redefining Traveler Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 11, 2025

CocoCart & Cafe has officially opened its doors at Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 2 Arrivals this November, marking a deliberate shift from chocolate retailer to comprehensive lifestyle destination. The flagship outlet reimagines airport dining by combining globally curated confectionery with a full café experience, ensuring travelers enjoy comfort and quality during their arrival moments. Operating 24/7 in alignment with airport schedules, the café aims to provide indulgence without compromise, whether for a quick coffee or a full meal after a long flight.

The brand’s founders, Karan Ahuja and Arjun Ahuja, designed the café to meet travelers at an emotional touchpoint – post-flight, often fatigued, and in need of grounding. The space caters to both hurried guests and those with time to enjoy a proper meal. CocoCart’s “whimsical wanderer” design narrative draws on vintage travel motifs, featuring scalloped detailing, striped panels, and a warm palette anchored in Apricot Swirl and Molten Fudge tones. A dedicated quiet zone with charging stations also serves as a coworking area, providing a functional space for business travelers.

The menu balances comfort and craft, offering breakfast items such as Rosti, Kejriwal, and Paneer Akuri, mains including customizable pasta and ramen, and handcrafted focaccia sandwiches available throughout the day. Every dish prioritizes quality ingredients and artisanal preparation, grounding travelers while staying true to CocoCart’s culinary philosophy.

The café’s beverage and dessert program draws from the brand’s curated international chocolate collection, featuring signature drinks like Rhine Valley Dark Hot Chocolate and Lindt Mocha, alongside desserts including Dubai Pistachio Kunafa Cake and the World’s Best Godiva Cookie. Retail and café experiences are seamlessly integrated, allowing guests to select chocolates and hampers from top brands such as Neuhaus, Venchi, Godiva, Whittaker’s, Feastables, Ferrero, and Lindt, reflecting CocoCart’s commitment to craftsmanship and thoughtful hospitality.

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Avantika Ahuja, Founder of CocoCart & Cafe, said, “I’ve always believed that when you respect the ingredient, you respect the consumer. Everything we do, from import to cold chain to café service, is rooted in that simple principle. India deserves chocolate that is honest, beautifully crafted, and presented with intention, and CocoCart & Cafe exists to make that standard accessible to everyone.”

A soft launch preview for select media, influencers, and loyal patrons offered curated tastings, interactive gifting experiences, and immersive installations, capturing the brand’s “Come for the chocolate. Stay for the wonder.” ethos. Seasonal menu rotations and in-house collaborations with chocolate brands ensure the concept remains dynamic. As Karan Ahuja explained, the outlet is “where that magic greets you at arrival”, transforming routine transit into a memorable experience through carefully brewed coffee, artisanal meals, and thoughtful gifting.


Dirty Apron Reopens at The Piano Man, Eldeco Centre in New Delhi

Dirty Apron Reopens at The Piano Man, Eldeco Centre in New Delhi

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 11, 2025

Dirty Apron has officially reopened at The Piano Man, Eldeco Centre, returning with a renewed energy and a stronger sense of purpose. The restaurant, loved for its slow-paced and soul-stirring approach to food, now steps into a fresh chapter under the guidance of Chef Manoj Pandey, where every dish is crafted with care, imagination and quiet artistry.

The space carries the unmistakable charm Dirty Apron is known for a mix of European comfort and Asian warmth, presented with creative flair. Long before experimental dining became popular in the city, Dirty Apron had already carved its identity as one of New Delhi’s early pioneers. With this reopening, the restaurant continues to build on that legacy with a flavour-focused menu shaped by innovation, balance and fine technique.

The experience shifts beautifully through the day. Afternoons feel light and calm, while evenings turn warm and softly lit, creating an inviting atmosphere for relaxed conversations. Service remains attentive and unhurried, encouraging guests to slow down, savour their meal and enjoy the moment without the usual rush of city dining. More than just good food, Dirty Apron offers a dining experience that feels personal, intentional and thoughtfully paced.

The refreshed menu features standout creations such as Reconstructed Tom Kha, Caesar Salad 2.0, Edamame & Truffle Dimsum, Quinoa, Asparagus & Truffle Risotto, Spicy Miso Black Cod, and the Yuzu Bar, dishes designed to comfort, surprise and inspire in equal measure.

The venue also doubles as a warm and intimate space for private gatherings. Whether it’s a small team dinner, a celebration with close friends or a quiet milestone event, Dirty Apron can comfortably host 30–35 guests, offering great food, a cosy setting and a completely relaxed pace.

For anyone planning a heartfelt celebration or looking for flavours that leave a lasting impression, Dirty Apron is ready to welcome guests back with open arms.

  • Address: Second Floor, The Piano Man, Eldeco Center, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi - 110017

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