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/.


Celebrate the Festival of Lights, the KHOYA Way!

Celebrate the Festival of Lights, the KHOYA Way!

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 8, 2025

This Diwali, celebrate the Festival of Lights the KHOYA way!, with handpicked hampers crafted to delight the senses and elevate every celebration. Each collection combines timeless recipes with contemporary flair, offering indulgence that feels both rooted in heritage and refreshing in flavour.

From melt-in-the-mouth Kaju Katli to delicate sugar-free mithai, KHOYA’s festive hampers bring together the joy of sharing, the warmth of tradition, and the art of fine craftsmanship.

Handpicked by KHOYA

A thoughtfully curated selection of festive treasures, this hamper celebrates the joy of sharing flavours steeped in Indian tradition. It features the newly launched White Chocolate Aam Papad Barfi, South Indian Mixture, Amla & Supari Mukhwas, and Assorted Nuts, a blend of sweet, savoury, and tangy notes. Perfect for gifting loved ones, it captures the true essence of festive indulgence.

Available across India through KHOYA’s website

All Things Cashew by KHOYA

For the discerning cashew connoisseur, this selection showcases Rose & Chocolate Kaju Katli alongside Tangy, Spiced, and Mint Cashew Jars. Each piece combines melt-in-the-mouth textures with bold, distinctive flavours, ideal for gifting or curating a memorable festive spread.

Available across India through KHOYA’s website

The Ornate Orb

A luxurious keepsake that merges tradition with elegance, The Ornate Orb features a collection of premium handpicked nuts presented in a beautifully crafted brass orb. It is a visual and sensory delight, a perfect choice for those who appreciate modern heirlooms and refined festive gestures.

Available across India through KHOYA’s website

Sugar-Free Mithai Box

A mindful indulgence for the health-conscious, this box features traditional favourites like Pink Coconut Ladoo, Bikaneri Barfi, Roasted Besan Ladoo, Kesar Barfi, Walnut Peda, and Classic Khoya, all crafted without added sugar. With its range of textures and flavours, this collection makes a thoughtful gift for family, friends, or colleagues.

Available across India through KHOYA’s website

Rose & Chocolate Kaju Katli

A contemporary take on a classic favourite, the
Rose & Chocolate Kaju Katli combines delicate floral notes with rich chocolate for an unforgettable treat. Each piece is slow-made, elegantly crafted, and true to KHOYA’s artisanal ethos, a perfect gift that captures timeless sophistication.

Available across India through KHOYA’s website


SOCIAL Launches The Big Drop – Peena Edition, Celebrating 11 Years of Community and Cocktails

SOCIAL Launches The Big Drop – Peena Edition, Celebrating 11 Years of Community and Cocktails

By Hariharan U

Published on October 7, 2025

SOCIAL, India’s favourite neighbourhood café-bar, is raising a toast with the launch of The Big DropPeena Edition, a bold new drinks menu celebrating 11 years of community, creativity, and cocktails. Designed to match every table, mood, and adda, the Peena Edition reimagines India’s evolving drinking culture with a mix of nostalgia, playfulness, and accessibility.

From timeless classics that ease into afternoon conversations to innovative formats and shareable pitchers that fuel evening catch-ups, the new menu ensures something for every kind of guest. Inspired by India’s everyday social spaces, from quarter bars and kattas to thekas and toddy shops, the menu blends old-school familiarity with SOCIAL’s unmistakable modern twist.

SOCIAL’s iconic creations such as the Longest Long Island Iced Tea (LLIIT) and Banarasi Patiala have long been crowd favourites. The Peena Edition carries that legacy forward with new-age icons like the Longest Long Island Iced Coffee (LLIIC) and the quirky SOCIAL Lubes range, including SOCIAL Emotions, Lifaafa, and Candy Crush drinks that are as photogenic as they are flavourful.

Innovation extends beyond the ingredients to the experience itself. Cocktails wrapped like candy, test-tube shots, and towering coffee jars make every serve interactive and shareable. Starting at just ₹395, the Peena Edition stays true to SOCIAL’s belief that great cocktails should be both creative and approachable.

Menu Highlights:

  • OG: Longest Long Island Iced Coffee (LLIIC) – 750ml of coffee-spiked indulgence.

  • SOCIAL Lubes: Playful formats that bottle moods – SOCIAL Emotions (Zen AF, Weird Flex, Delulu, Aura), Lifaafa (served in a post-office pouch), and Candy Crush (a candy-wrapped cocktail).

  • Sangria Pitchers: Shareable and bold – variants like Cosmo Berry, Tropical Twist, House Spice, Java, Rita.

  • Squad Shots & Liqueurs: High-energy serves such as SOCIAL Kami Krazy test-tube shots and the explosive SOCIAL Bomb.

  • The Classics: SOCIAL’s twist on favourites including Espresso Martini, Negroni, Daiquiri, Paloma, Manhattan, and Old Fashioned.

Speaking about the launch, Riyaaz Amlani, Founder & Managing Director, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., said, "The Peena Edition of the Big Drop menu is special because it speaks the language of the people. India’s drinking culture has always been about community — from quarter bars and kattas to thekas and toddy shops — and we’ve brought that spirit into a menu built for today. Innovation was needed because people don’t just come to us for what’s in the glass, but for how it makes them feel. The Big Drop captures that spirit in full.”

The Peena Edition complements SOCIAL’s Big Drop Khaana menu, together offering a seamless food-and-drink experience that celebrates how India eats, drinks, and connects today.

About Social

SOCIAL is a groundbreaking urban hangout that merges café culture with community and collaboration. By day, it’s a space for great food, coffee, and co-working; by night, it transforms into a vibrant bar and social hub. Each outlet reflects its neighbourhood, blending work, play, and creativity under one roof.

Founded in 2001 with its maiden venture Mocha – Coffees and Conversations, Impresario today operates over 60 restaurants across 20+ Indian cities. Its portfolio includes SOCIAL, antiSOCIAL, Smoke House Deli, Mocha, and boutique spaces like Bandra Born, Slink & Bardot, and BANNG. The group’s success lies in its ability to understand the evolving lifestyle of young India and craft experiences that resonate deeply with its patrons.


McDonald’s India (North & East) Spreads Festive Cheer with Special Meal Offers

By Manu VArdhan Kannan

Published on October 5, 2025

McDonald’s India – North and East has announced the launch of its Festive-Meals, available at a special price with up to 51% off, adding more flavour and joy to the celebrations this festive season. The limited-time offer aims to make moments of Durga Puja and Diwali even more special by bringing families and friends together over affordable and delicious McDonald’s favourites.

As part of the campaign, McDonald’s has also released a festive anthem film celebrating togetherness, joy, and inclusivity. The film showcases how Festive-Meals bring communities closer, allowing people to share laughter, music, and happy moments over their much-loved burgers and fries.

Speaking about the initiative, Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East, said, “For more than 25 years, McDonald’s has been woven into the fabric of India’s festive spirit. Each festival gives us the chance to connect with our customers through cherished moments of celebration. This year, the Festive Meal offers continue that tradition by making every festive gathering more delightful, with the familiar taste and everyday value that bring families and friends together at McDonald’s.”

To ensure inclusivity, McDonald’s is also offering No Onion, No Garlic (NONG) versions of favourites like the McAloo Tikki Burger and Happy Meals®, catering to festive food preferences. The brand continues to uphold one of the strictest vegetarian and non-vegetarian segregation practices in the industry, maintaining separate kitchens, storage, and equipment to ensure 100% purity for vegetarian food.

Notably, McDonald’s India stands out as the only market globally with fully vegetarian restaurants, located in Jammu (New Track-Tarakote Marg and Ardhkuwari) and Amritsar (near the Golden Temple). These outlets reflect the brand’s respect for local traditions while offering the familiar McDonald’s experience.

The Festive Meal brings exceptional value , the McAloo Tikki Value Meal (Burger + Fries + Beverage) is priced at just ₹99 instead of ₹203, while a wholesome 4-course meal available at a special price. Exciting offers are also available across McDonald’s premium burger range, making the season even more delightful.

Customers can enjoy these Festive-Meals via dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, or through delivery on the McDonald’s app, Swiggy, and Zomato.

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