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/.


Wendy’s India Expands Pune Presence with New Outlet at Elpro City Square Mall

Wendy’s India Expands Pune Presence with New Outlet at Elpro City Square Mall

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 20, 2026

Wendy’s India has strengthened its presence in Pune with the opening of a new outlet at the food court of Elpro City Square Mall in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The outlet has been launched by Rebel Foods, the world’s largest internet restaurant company and master franchise holder for Wendy’s in India.

Located at one of Pimpri-Chinchwad’s prominent retail and entertainment destinations, the new outlet brings Wendy’s signature burgers, fries and desserts to shoppers, families and young consumers visiting the mall.

Speaking about the expansion, Ankush Grover, Co-founder and Global CEO, Rebel Foods, said, “Pune has a strong consumer base that is open to exploring new food experiences, making it an important market for Wendy’s India. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on choosing locations that allow us to be accessible to our consumers while bringing the Wendy’s experience to more parts of the city. With the new outlet at Elpro City Square Mall, we look forward to serving consumers with quality, flavour and an experience that makes every visit memorable.”

The menu offers Wendy’s range of globally inspired flavours, giving Indian consumers an opportunity to explore burgers influenced by different cuisines. The selection includes Argentina’s Chimichurri, Louisiana’s Cajun, Korea’s fiery Buldak, American BBQ, India’s Tandoori and Mexico’s Nachoburg.

The recently introduced Teriyaki Burger range also adds Japanese-inspired sweet and savoury flavours to the menu, further expanding the brand’s international flavour selection in India.

Wendy’s India continues to focus on flavour-led innovation within the gourmet QSR segment, combining global inspirations with contemporary formats and flavours that appeal to Gen Z and Millennial consumers. The new Elpro City Square Mall outlet further expands Wendy’s reach across Pune and its surrounding areas, while giving more consumers access to the brand’s evolving menu and global flavour offerings.

Store Address:

Unit No TF FD-07, Third Floor, "Elpro City Square", Survey No 280, Hissa No 1 to 8, CTS No 4270, Chinchwad, Pune PCMC Ward No-7, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra - 411033.


Seven Seas Hotel Rohini Brings Delhi’s Flavours Alive with Dilli Meri Jaan Food Festival

Seven Seas Hotel Rohini Brings Delhi’s Flavours Alive with Dilli Meri Jaan Food Festival

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 20, 2026

Celebrating the flavours, traditions and cultural charm of the capital city, Seven Seas Hotel Rohini, New Delhi, has announced the launch of ‘Dilli Meri Jaan’, a specially curated food festival showcasing Delhi’s timeless culinary heritage.

Inspired by the city’s famous food streets, vibrant markets and traditional recipes, the festival offers guests an immersive dining experience that captures the true spirit of Delhi. From iconic street food and live cooking stations to classic North Indian dishes, traditional beverages and desserts, the festival brings together the diverse flavours that make Delhi’s food culture special.

Guests can enjoy popular street-food favourites including Gol Gappas, Dahi Bhalla Papdi, Ram Laddoo, Chole Kulche, Japani Samosa and Fruit Kulia. The menu also features signature grills such as Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Gilafi Seekh, Mutton Seekh and Bhatti Da Paneer Tikka.

Adding to the experience, live stations will serve traditional favourites like Bedmi Poori with Aloo Sabzi, Nagori Poori with Halwa, Bhature Chole and Chicken Changezi. The festive spread will conclude with classic Delhi desserts including Jalebi with Rabri, Daulat Ki Chaat, Ghewar, Malpua Rabri, Kulfi Falooda and Shahi Tukda.

More than just a food festival, Dilli Meri Jaan celebrates Delhi’s diverse communities, age-old traditions and its deep love for food. Each dish reflects the city’s unique flavours while combining authentic cuisine with the elegant ambience and hospitality that Seven Seas Hotel Rohini is known for.

Speaking about the festival, the Management at Seven Seas Hotel shared: "Delhi is a melting pot of cultures, traditions, and extraordinary flavours. With 'Dilli Meri Jaan', our endeavour is to celebrate the city's remarkable culinary heritage by bringing together its most iconic dishes and timeless recipes in one immersive experience. We look forward to welcoming guests to savour the nostalgia, authenticity, and warmth that define the spirit of Delhi and the hospitality of Seven Seas Hotel."

The festival is designed as a tribute to Delhi’s food legacy, where every neighbourhood has a story and every recipe carries a connection with the city’s past. Guests can experience authentic flavours along with the signature hospitality of Seven Seas Hotel, creating a memorable dining celebration.

Festival Details:

  • Festival: Dilli Meri Jaan
  • Venue: Seven Seas Hotel Rohini, New Delhi
  • Starts: August 2026
  • Days: Every day except Tuesday
  • Timings: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM.


Selva Brings Contemporary Mexican Dining to World St. at Worldmark

Selva Brings Contemporary Mexican Dining to World St. at Worldmark

By Hariharan U

Published on August 20, 2026

Selva has opened at World St. at Worldmark, Aerocity, marking its entry into New Delhi with a design-led contemporary Mexican dining concept that brings together regional Mexican traditions, Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei influences and an immersive hospitality experience.

The new restaurant is the third and most ambitious venture from first-generation restaurateur Sarthak Sidana, founder of Underdoggs and Sere. With concepts developed across ten cities over the past decade, Sidana now brings Selva to the capital as part of World St.'s growing portfolio of global culinary destinations.

Selva's culinary identity has been shaped by more than a year of research and travel across Mexico and Asia, exploring regional traditions, ingredients and techniques. The resulting menu combines Mexican culinary heritage with contemporary interpretations and Nikkei influences.

The menu features dishes such as Tlayuda, Nori Tacos, ceviches and tiraditos, alongside house-made tortillas and seafood and meat preparations cooked over a robata grill. The approach focuses on traditional techniques while presenting the flavours in a contemporary format designed for the Indian dining audience.

Complementing the restaurant is Selva Maya, an intimate after-dark cocktail den inspired by Mesoamerican mythology. The beverage programme has been developed by the team behind Hideaway Cocktail Bar in Goa, adding a dedicated nightlife element to the Selva experience.

Commenting on the opening, S. K. Sayal, MD & CEO, Bharti Real Estate, said, "Selva's arrival is a strong reflection of World St.'s growing stature as India's most sought-after culinary destination. We have always envisioned World St. as a space that brings the world's most distinctive dining experiences to Delhi."

He added that as World St. continues to welcome established culinary brands, the destination remains focused on developing the promenade as a benchmark for experiential dining in the country.

Sarthak Sidana, Founder, Selva, said the concept emerged from years of travel and research across Mexico, Peru, Japan and other culinary destinations. He explained that the aim was to explore how Mexican and Nikkei cuisine could be interpreted for India while bringing together food, cocktails, design and hospitality into a cohesive experience.

Selva's arrival further expands World St.'s growing culinary portfolio. The destination is home to the first Olive Garden in India, while Time Out Market, the global food and cultural marketplace, is set to make its India debut at the development.

Other dining concepts at World St. include P.F. Chang's, Magnolia Bakery, Starbucks Reserve and PAUL, alongside a wider selection of restaurants, cafés and lifestyle brands.

Spanning nearly half a kilometre across Worldmark 4, 5 and 6, World St. is designed as a pedestrian-friendly dining and lifestyle promenade featuring global cuisine, alfresco dining, landscaped courtyards, art installations and public spaces.

With the addition of Selva, World St. continues to build its positioning as a destination for international culinary concepts and experiential dining in Delhi-NCR.

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