International Rum Day falls on August 16 this year, and it is the perfect excuse to indulge in a glass of piña colada or mojito. The spirit, made from sugar cane juice or produced as a by- product of molasses, has been enjoying the limelight lately, due to a global surge in popularity. While often associated with the beloved region, rum actually originated in Papua New Guinea and later made its way to the Caribbean.
Believed to be created by Ramón ‘Monchito’ Marrero, a bartender at The Caribe Hilton in 1954, the piña colada consists of a tropical blend from some of Malaysia’s most loved ingredients – rich coconut cream, tangy pineapple, and white rum – usually served either blended or shaken with ice.
If you are looking to try something new, Aviary Bar’s signature rum-based cocktail, The Jungle Bird, is worth a shot. This 1970s sipper combines a delicious mix of dark rum, Campari, and fruit juices; a tropically inspired refreshing drink with bittersweet and fruity notes.
6 July 1973 marked the birth of the Jungle Bird in the former Kuala Lumpur Hilton’s (known now as Hilton Kuala Lumpur) Aviary Lounge on Jalan Sultan Ismail. This classic cocktail was the brainchild of Jeffrey Ong Swee Teik, the Beverage Manager, who was tasked with creating a welcome drink for hotel guests. The Jungle Bird gained international acclaim when it was first listed on John J. Poister’s 1989 The New American Bartender’s Guide. Another item worth sampling is the Jungle Bird Series, a five-type variety including the Original Jungle Bird, Jackfruit Jungle Bird, American Jungle Bird, Morning Bird, and Mexican Jungle Bird.
16 August 2019 – 31 August 2019
RM20 nett for Pina Colada | RM30 nett for the Jungle Bird | RM100 nett for Jungle Bird Series
For reservations, call +603 2264 2596 or email [email protected]