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/.


Millo Expands to Nagpur with Unique Dining Concept

Millo Expands to Nagpur with Unique Dining Concept

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 13, 2026

Millo has expanded its footprint to Nagpur, marking an important step in the brand’s journey and adding a fresh perspective to the city’s growing food and beverage culture.

After gaining popularity in Mumbai, the brand now brings its signature high-energy and design-led dining experience to Nagpur. The new space is designed to go beyond just dining, offering a setting where people can connect, relax, and spend time across different occasions.

Positioned as a social space, Millo Nagpur blends comfort with a strong visual identity. Whether it’s a quick lunch, a long conversation, or an evening out, the space is built to suit different moods. With thoughtful design, varied seating, and attention to detail, it introduces a more modern and experience-first approach to dining in the city.

At the heart of the offering is a multi-cuisine menu that brings together Mexican, Italian, and Asian influences into a vegetarian-forward concept. The idea is to keep dishes familiar yet elevate them through flavour, presentation, and balance, encouraging sharing and repeat visits.

Sharing his thoughts, Sujit Mehta, the founder said, “Nagpur felt like a natural next step for Millo. It’s a city that is evolving quickly, with a growing audience that is curious, social, and open to new experiences. With Millo, we wanted to bring something that doesn’t just serve food, but creates a space people can return to, for different moods, different moments, and different reasons.”

Adding to this, Savan Bhatewara & Sharmila Shah, co-founders further noted, “While Mumbai shaped the Millo identity, Nagpur gives us the opportunity to build deeper community engagement. The idea is to stay consistent in what we stand for, while still adapting to how people in each city like to dine, gather, and spend their time.”

More than its menu or interiors, what sets Millo Nagpur apart is its focus on changing how people engage with dining. It is positioned not just as a special-occasion spot, but as an elevated everyday space where guests can drop in casually and stay longer.

With this launch, Millo adds a new layer to Nagpur’s hospitality scene, reflecting a wider shift towards global flavours, thoughtful design, and experience-led dining.


Rooftop Innings at Pangeo Brings Cricket Fever to Bengaluru’s Skyline

Rooftop Innings at Pangeo Brings Cricket Fever to Bengaluru’s Skyline

By Hariharan U

Published on April 11, 2026

Pangeo has introduced Rooftop Innings, a high-energy cricket screening experience that transforms match days into vibrant social gatherings in the heart of the city.

Set against a lively rooftop backdrop, the experience brings together the thrill of live cricket with an elevated nightlife setting, creating an atmosphere that keeps the energy going from the first ball to the final over. Designed for corporate outings, team evenings, and casual catch-ups, Rooftop Innings seamlessly blends sport with celebration.

The experience is complemented by a thoughtfully curated menu featuring indulgent sharing platters and bold, flavour-forward offerings. Guests can enjoy handcrafted dumpling baskets, sushi platters with balanced umami profiles, and expansive vegetarian and non-vegetarian selections including paneer tikka assortments and tandoori seafood platters.

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Adding to the excitement are crowd favourites such as peri peri tandoori drums, smoky ghost wings, and sriracha wings, each crafted to match the intensity of the game. Special platter combinations paired with beverages further enhance the group dining experience, making it ideal for extended match nights and lively conversations.

More than just a screening, Rooftop Innings at Pangeo positions itself as a destination where cricket feels larger than life, gatherings feel elevated, and every match becomes a shared celebration.

Fact Sheet:
Where: Pangeo
Date: Starting April 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:30 AM


Loya at Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai Unveils ‘Mittha’ – A Summer Dessert Celebration

Loya at Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai Unveils ‘Mittha’ – A Summer Dessert Celebration

By Hariharan U

Published on April 11, 2026

Loya at Taj Mahal Palace introduces ‘Mittha’, a thoughtfully curated dessert menu that brings together nostalgia, tradition, and seasonal indulgence.

Rooted in the culinary traditions of northern India, the menu celebrates sweets that go beyond taste, drawing from generational recipes and memories of shared moments. At Loya, desserts are not just an end to a meal but a continuation of storytelling through flavour.

The ‘Mittha’ selection blends comforting classics with contemporary interpretations. Highlights include Badana Pearls, where rabri and saffron foam meet pistachios and almonds, and Doodh Jalebi, featuring crisp jalebis paired with pista, chuara, and aromatic kesar milk.

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Adding a playful summer twist, the Kulfi Pop assortment reimagines traditional kulfi into bite-sized indulgences. Guests can explore flavours like rose petal, saffron-cardamom, royal paan leaf, and malai, offering a refreshing take perfect for the season. The Falooda, layered with almond kulfi and rose rabri, adds a cooling, indulgent note to the experience.

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Among the standout creations is Gud–Ke–Maan, inspired by a cherished family recipe of badam kheer, bringing a deeply personal touch to the menu. Meanwhile, Loya Khel introduces a contemporary finish with a light chikoo mousse paired with biscuit cake and coconut elements.

With ‘Mittha’, Loya creates a dessert experience that feels both familiar and new, inviting guests to rediscover Indian sweets through a refined, seasonal lens.

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