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    Grits and Pinecones » Recipes » Cocktails

    Hurricane Cocktail Recipe – A Mardi Gras Favorite

    January 11, 2021 by Sharon Rigsby 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest pin showing two hurricane cocktails.

    Hurricanes are arguably New Orleans’ most famous cocktail. This iconic rum drink made with tropical fruit juices has long been a favorite of party-goers visiting or celebrating Mardi Gras. 

    Two Hurricane cocktails on a table with Mardi Gras beads and masks.

    But don’t make the mistake of letting the sweet fruity taste of a classic Hurricane cocktail lull you into a false sense of security. Like its namesake, the windy weather phenomenon that periodically sweeps through the Gulf Coast, these delicious drinks pack a potent punch!

    What is it?

    Hurricane cocktails were first created at the legendary Pat O’Brien’s Bar in New Orleans in the 1940s as a creative way to utilize large stocks of rum. The original hurricane drink recipe was made with only three ingredients: gold rum, lemon juice, and passion fruit syrup. 

    Legend has it that the Hurricane got its name because the cocktail was first served in the glass piece of a hurricane lamp. And, as they say, the rest is history.

    Here’s what you will need for this recipe: 

    Rum and fruit juices to make hurricane drinks.

    Light and dark rum: unlike many other types of alcohol, are distilled from sugarcane instead of grains, which imparts a sweet taste.

    Passion fruit juice: a distinctive ingredient in Hurricanes, has a sweet yet slightly tart tropical fruit taste.

    Orange and lime juice: add a citrusy element to this delicious cocktail. 

    Grenadine: is a non-alcoholic ingredient and adds a sweet/tart flavor and a reddish color to the drink. It is often made with pomegranate juice. 

    Simple syrup: is a mixture of equal parts of granulated sugar and water that has been heated until the sugar is dissolved. 

    To garnish your drinks, you will need maraschino cherries and orange slices.

    Additionally, you will need a cocktail shaker, ice, and a glass jigger with fill lines.  

    Here’s how to make it:

    1. First, fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice, then add the rum and passion fruit juice. Adding a jigger of passion fruit juice to a metal cocktail shaker.
    2. Then add the orange juice, grenadine, simple syrup, and lime juice. Adding lime juice to a cocktail shaker.
    3. Put the top on, hold the shaker with both hands (one on each piece) and shake vigorously.Shaking a cocktail shaker.
    4. Shake until the outside of the shaker frosts up (about 15 shakes) and then strain the cocktail into a glass. Pouring a cocktail into a hurricane glass.
    5. Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherries and serve immediately.

    A hurricane cocktail garnished with cherries.

    What’s the difference between white and gold rum?

    While both are made from sugarcane, white rum has typically aged a year or less in white oak barrels, while dark rum is aged longer in regular oak barrels. Dark rum also has a slightly bolder flavor.  

    Passion fruit juice:

    While all of the ingredients in this recipe can easily be found in most grocery stores, passion fruit juice is harder to find. If you can’t find it, passion fruit syrup, which can be found in many liquor stores or ordered online, can be substituted. But it is very sweet, so do not add the simple syrup.

    You can also substitute passion fruit-flavored juice cocktail, which can be found in many grocery stores. If you use passion fruit juice, it is much tarter than either of the other options, so make the recipe as directed. 

    How to serve a crowd:

    A pitcher of hurricane cocktails.

    This Hurricane cocktail recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to make a pitcher or as much as you need. This recipe makes one eight-ounce serving. Use the slider in the recipe to easily change the amounts needed of each ingredient if you would like to serve more folks. 

    Variations:

    Feel free to get creative and make your own Hurricane cocktail recipe! Try substituting pomegranate, pineapple, or orange juice for the passion fruit juice. Or, add a little of any of them for additional flavor. 

    You could also substitute a flavored rum, tequila, or vodka, or make it a frozen cocktail by adding ice and blending it in a blender. 

    Sharon’s tips:

    Use a jigger with ounce measurements or fill lines to measure the ingredients for this drink easily. 

    To make your own simple syrup, add equal parts of sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Let cool and store any leftovers in the refrigerator. 

    More Mardi Gras dishes:

    Other traditional Mardi Gras dishes on my blog include Easy Mardi Gras Hot Muffaletta Dip, Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya, Classic Cajun Dirty Rice with Sausage, Creamy Shrimp Creole, Mardi Gras Snack Mix, and Old Fashioned Pecan Pralines.

    Need more ideas, check out my roundup post: Ten + Classic Mardi Gras Recipes and Menu Ideas.

    You can see all of my Mardi Gras related posts here. 

    More cocktails:

    If you like this cocktail, you might also want to check out my recipes for Frozen Limeade Margaritas, Frozen Cranberry Margaritas, and my Meyer Lemon French 75. You can see all of my cocktail recipes here. 

    ★ If you make this drink, please consider rating it and leaving a comment. I’d love to know how you liked it!

    Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones; I hope you’ll come back soon!

     

    Twoo hurricane cocktails with Mardi Gras beads.

    Easy Hurricane Drink Recipe

    Sharon Rigsby
    The Hurricane is New Orleans’ most famous cocktail and a favorite of party-goers celebrating Mardi Gras! It's a delicious drink filled with fruit juice and rum.
    4.34 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 3 mins
    Total Time 3 mins
    Course Cocktails
    Cuisine American, Southern
    Servings 1 serving
    Calories 391 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ounces white rum
    • 2 ounces dark or gold rum
    • 2 ounces passion fruit juice
    • 1 ounce orange juice
    • ½ ounce fresh lime juice
    • 1 tablespoon simple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon grenadine
    • Optional, sliced oranges and cherries for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice first, then add the rest of the ingredients.   
    • Hold the shaker with both hands (one on each piece) and shake vigorously. Shake until the outside of the shaker frosts up, and then strain the cocktail into a glass. 
    • Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherries and serve immediately.

    Notes

    While all of the ingredients in this recipe can easily be found in most grocery stores, passion fruit juice is harder to find. If you can't find it, passion fruit syrup, which can be found in many liquor stores or ordered online, can be substituted. But it is very sweet, so do not add the simple syrup.
    You can also substitute passion fruit-flavored juice drink or cocktail, which can be found in many grocery stores.
    This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to make a pitcher or as much as you need. This recipe makes one eight-ounce serving. Use the slider in the recipe to easily change the amounts needed of each ingredient if you would like to serve more folks. 
    Use a jigger with ounce measurements or fill lines to measure the ingredients for this drink easily. 
    To make your own simple syrup, add equal parts of sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Let cool and store any leftovers in the refrigerator. 

     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 391kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 0.5gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 12mgPotassium: 235mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 47.9mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today! Mention @gritspinecones or tag #gritspinecones!

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    1. Adam

      January 12, 2021 at 9:45 am

      Since we haven’t been able to travel to NOLA last year or this year, this might be the next best thing!

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        January 13, 2021 at 9:51 am

        After one of these cocktails, you might think you are in NOLA!

        Reply
    2. code remise

      March 23, 2017 at 7:50 am

      Helpful information. Lucky me I found your site unintentionally, and I’m shocked
      why this accident didn’t came about earlier!
      I bookmarked it.

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        March 23, 2017 at 9:59 am

        So glad you found me and happy you are here!

        Reply
    3. Kitty

      February 23, 2017 at 2:56 pm

      Its almost Mardi Gras time! Excited to try this!

      Reply
    4. Christine

      February 20, 2017 at 4:36 am

      What a flavorful and refreshing cocktail!

      Reply

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have well over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and there is nothing I like better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

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