Hurricane

Name: Hurricane
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 60 ml / 2 oz Light Rum; 60 ml / 2 oz Dark Rum; 60 ml / 2 oz Passion Fruit Juice or Purée; 30 ml / 1 oz Orange Juice; 30 ml / 1 oz Lime Juice; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Grenadine

Ingredients Instructions

The Hurricane is a vibrant, rum-based cocktail that perfectly balances sweetness and tartness with a strong alcoholic kick. Its signature deep red or orange hue comes from a mix of passion fruit, citrus juices, and often a touch of grenadine. Served over ice in its namesake glass, this drink is a tropical escape, synonymous with the festive atmosphere of New Orleans' French Quarter. It's a deceptively smooth drink that packs a powerful punch, making it a favorite for celebrations and warm weather.

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Hurricane is a classic cocktail that falls squarely into the Tiki category due to its heavy use of rum and tropical fruit juices. It is considered a long drink and is a staple of tropical-themed bars and New Orleans nightlife. Its sweet, fruity profile makes it a popular choice for those seeking a vibrant and potent mixed drink.

Serving

The Hurricane is a large, cold drink served in its signature tall, curved glass filled with ice. It's a fairly strong cocktail, with an alcohol content typically between 15% and 20% ABV.

Serving size

Approximately 300-400 ml / 10-13 oz

Alcohol content

Approximately 15-20% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Hurricane glass

Glass treatment

None, glass is filled with ice.

Backstory

The Hurricane cocktail was invented at Pat O'Brien's bar in New Orleans during the 1940s. The story goes that during World War II, there was a surplus of rum being shipped into the port, while other spirits like whiskey were scarce. To move the large stock of rum, the bar's owner created this delicious concoction and served it in a curvy glass shaped like a hurricane lamp, giving the drink its name.

Origin

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, circa 1940s.

Hurricane

The drink is most famously known simply as the Hurricane. It is strongly associated with its creator, so it is sometimes referred to as Pat O'Brien's Hurricane to distinguish it from other, less authentic versions.

Original name

Hurricane

Alternative name

Pat O'Brien's Hurricane

Characteristics overview

This drink boasts a bold tropical flavor profile dominated by sweet passion fruit and tart citrus, with a distinct rum aroma and a smooth, juicy texture. Its vibrant reddish-orange color and refreshing character make it a quintessential summer cocktail.

Flavor

Sweet, fruity, tropical, tart, rum-forward

Aroma

Passion fruit, citrus, sweet rum

Taste balance

Sweet, sour

Aftertaste

Sweet, fruity, lingering warmth

Fizziness

Still

Color appearance

Vibrant reddish-orange, clear

Texture

Smooth, juicy, liquid

Seasonality

Refreshing, summery, tropical

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Hurricane is intensely fruity and sweet, balanced by a noticeable sourness from the citrus. It is a very strong alcoholic drink with no bitterness, saltiness, or carbonation.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail is built on a robust base of both light and dark rum. Its tropical character comes from a generous amount of passion fruit, orange, and lime juices, with grenadine for color and sweetness.

Light Rum60 ml / 2 oz
A white or silver rum works best.
Dark Rum60 ml / 2 oz
Provides depth and character to the drink.
Passion Fruit Juice or Purée60 ml / 2 oz
The key tropical flavor of the cocktail. If using syrup, you may want to use less and adjust sweetness.
Orange Juice30 ml / 1 oz
Freshly squeezed is recommended for best flavor.
Lime Juice30 ml / 1 oz
Freshly squeezed provides essential tartness.
Grenadine15 ml / 0.5 oz
Adds color and a touch of pomegranate sweetness.

Ice type

Cubed or Crushed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker and a strainer to prepare a Hurricane. A jigger is also essential for measuring the ingredients correctly.

Cocktail shaker to chill and mix the ingredients.
Jigger or measuring cup for accurate pouring.
Strainer to pour the drink without the shaker ice.

Instructions

The preparation involves shaking all the rums, juices, and grenadine with ice. The chilled mixture is then strained into an ice-filled Hurricane glass and finished with a classic fruit garnish.

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.

2. Add the light rum, dark rum, passion fruit juice, orange juice, lime juice, and grenadine to the shaker.

3. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.

4. Fill a Hurricane glass with fresh ice cubes or crushed ice.

5. Strain the contents of the shaker into the prepared glass.

6. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

7. Add a straw and serve immediately.

Garnishing

A classic Hurricane is garnished with a vibrant "flag" made from an orange slice and a bright red maraschino cherry. This adds visual appeal and a complementary citrus aroma.

Orange slice and a maraschino cherry, typically skewered together on a cocktail pick.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens such as dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets and contains no caffeine.

✓ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

The Hurricane is a high-calorie drink due to its alcohol and high sugar content from fruit juices and grenadine. It contains a significant amount of carbohydrates, primarily from sugars.

Calories

Averagely 350-450 kcal / 1465-1883 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Averagely 35-45 g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Averagely 30-40 g

Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for lively social gatherings, parties, and celebrations like Mardi Gras. Its refreshing and tropical nature also makes it an excellent choice for summer barbecues, beach days, or any warm-weather occasion.

Party
Summer barbecue
Beach vacation
Celebration
Mardi Gras

Pairing suggestions

The sweet and tart profile of the Hurricane pairs wonderfully with spicy and savory foods. It cuts through the heat of Cajun or Caribbean dishes like jerk chicken and complements the flavors of grilled seafood. It is also a great companion to salty appetizers and coconut-flavored entrées.

Spicy Cajun food
Grilled shrimp or fish
Jerk chicken
Coconut-based dishes
Salty snacks

The Hurricane: A Spirited Taste of New Orleans

The Hurricane is a world-famous cocktail that captures the spirit of New Orleans in a glass. Born out of necessity in the 1940s, it has become a symbol of celebration and tropical indulgence. This potent blend of light and dark rum with passion fruit and citrus juices is both deceptively strong and refreshingly delicious. Served in its iconic curved glass, the Hurricane is a must-try for lovers of sweet, fruity, and powerful tiki-style drinks.

Similar cocktails

Planter's Punch

Another classic rum punch that often features dark rum, citrus, and grenadine, but typically includes Angostura bitters and sometimes pineapple juice instead of passion fruit.