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/.


Commune Launches Sunday Brunch Series with Easter Kick-Off

Commune Launches Sunday Brunch Series with Easter Kick-Off

By Hariharan U

Published on April 1, 2026

Commune is set to elevate weekend dining with the launch of its much-anticipated Sunday Brunch series, kicking off on April 5, 2026, with a specially curated Easter edition. Envisioned as a recurring weekly experience, the brunch blends indulgent food, live entertainment, and a relaxed, social atmosphere.

The Easter launch sets the tone with a thoughtfully curated spread that balances freshness and comfort. Guests can explore a variety of salads including Mediterranean couscous and quinoa avocado, alongside small plates such as herb and cheese stuffed mushrooms and tempura vegetables. The mains bring together global and regional flavours, featuring dishes like Ratatouille vegetable steak, Thai Panang curry, Laal Maas, and slow-roasted chicken.

Enhancing the experience further are a dedicated live counter and a grazing table, offering guests an interactive and immersive way to enjoy the meal.

In keeping with the festive spirit, the dessert selection introduces playful Easter-inspired highlights. From hot cross buns pudding and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting to golden Easter eggs with mango-coconut ganache and Royal Kunafa, the menu adds a celebratory finish to the afternoon.

Beyond the food, the brunch experience is designed to encourage guests to slow down and connect. Live singing performances every Sunday add a vibrant yet easy-going energy, transforming the brunch into a leisurely social gathering rather than just a meal.

Commune’s Sunday Brunch aims to become a go-to weekend ritual, offering a space where guests can unwind, indulge, and enjoy a thoughtfully curated dining experience


Barista Coffee Launches ‘Main Hoon Mango’ Summer Menu

Barista Coffee Launches ‘Main Hoon Mango’ Summer Menu

By Hariharan U

Published on April 1, 2026

Barista Coffee Company is welcoming the summer season with the launch of its much-anticipated mango campaign, ‘Main Hoon Mango’, starting April 1, 2026. The initiative celebrates the timeless appeal of mango, often regarded as the heart of Indian summers, through a vibrant and indulgent in-café experience.

Deeply rooted in Indian culture, mango carries strong emotional and nostalgic value, evoking memories of childhood, seasonal rituals, and simple joys. With this campaign, Barista aims to bring that familiarity to life while adding a contemporary twist through innovative flavours and formats.

At the centre of the campaign is a specially curated menu that blends the richness of mango with the brand’s signature coffee expertise. The lineup features a mix of beverages and desserts, including Dirty Mango Latte, Chilli Mango Tango, Mango Iced Espresso, Mango Matcha, Mango Affair, and a Mango Cheesecake Slice. Each creation is designed to balance freshness with indulgence, offering guests a new way to experience the season’s most loved fruit.

Speaking about the launch, Rajat Agrawal said, “As the mango season approaches, Barista has once again introduced a summer menu built around the king of fruits. ‘Main Hoon Mango’ celebrates the essence of Indian summers through a flavour that resonates with everyone. This campaign brings together nostalgia and indulgence in a refreshing experience, and we look forward to offering our customers a unique mango journey across all Barista outlets.”

Available across Barista cafés and online platforms, the ‘Main Hoon Mango’ range is priced starting at INR 275, making it accessible for customers looking to enjoy a seasonal indulgence.

With this launch, Barista Coffee Company continues to tap into seasonal preferences, creating experiences that go beyond beverages and connect with consumers through flavour, memory, and innovation.


Nespresso Opens Its First Store in Gurugram at Ambience Mall

Nespresso Opens Its First Store in Gurugram at Ambience Mall

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 1, 2026

Nespresso, the premium coffee brand by Nestlé, has officially opened its first store in Gurugram at Ambience Mall, marking an important step in its expansion in India’s premium retail space. Spread across around 2000 sq ft, the store introduces the brand’s signature portioned coffee and barista-style machines to the city.

Known for offering a café-like experience both at home and in-store, Nespresso has built its identity around precision brewing, curated coffee blends, and a strong focus on sustainable sourcing. With this launch, the brand brings its complete coffee experience to Gurugram, where consumers are increasingly leaning towards refined and experience-driven choices.

Sharing his thoughts on the launch, Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said, “The opening of Nespresso at Ambience Mall is indicative of how consumption patterns in urban India are steadily evolving towards more refined and experience-driven choices. Coffee today has become an expression of lifestyle and personal taste. Nespresso’s globally established format, combining high-quality coffee, advanced brewing systems, and a strong sustainability ethos, resonates well with this shift. At Ambience, our approach is to curate brands that bring depth and differentiation to the retail experience. This launch not only strengthens our premium portfolio but also enhances the overall consumer journey within the mall.”

The store has been designed to offer an immersive experience, allowing customers to explore Nespresso’s range of coffees and machines while also discovering personalised coffee routines. With this addition, Nespresso joins other premium café and dessert brands such as Paul and Ladurée, further enhancing the mall’s food and beverage offerings.

The launch also reflects the growing popularity of premium coffee culture in urban India, where consumers are looking for quality, convenience, and consistency in their everyday choices.

With Nespresso now part of its portfolio, Ambience Mall continues to strengthen its position as a destination for premium and experience-led retail in Gurugram.

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