Immerse yourself in Southern charm with our engaging recipe for the iconic New Orleans Hurricane Drink. You’ll be dancing at Mardi Gras in no time!
Ever experience the jazzy, historic atmosphere of New Orleans and loved it so much, you wanted to bring a slice of that fun home? Well, if you don’t have room in your carry-on for all that atmosphere, this New Orleans Hurricane drink is the next best thing. It’s a classic drink from the heart of the city and famous for its tropical personality and rum combo. It’s like a colorful, liquid love letter to the city’s zest for life.
One thing that I totally love and appreciate about the Hurricane is how its killer mix of rums unites like the diverse crowd at Mardi Gras. It’s so NOLA. I could be reading too much into it but I don’t think so. And besides, is there a better read than rum cocktails? While others like Planter’s Punch, King’s Cup and Rum Runner give those tropical vibes, none of them can quite catch the unique charm and local flavor of the Hurricane.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- If you like tropical parties — especially ones you can enjoy in your mouth — with rum, fruit juice, and a nice sweet edge in attendance, you’ll love a Hurricane.
- If you’ve never been to New Orleans (or if you have and you’re dying to go back, like me), you’ll get the vibe of that historic city all in one glass!
- The Hurricane Drink can be savored during cocktail hour with the girls (or guys), at a dinner party with family, or by the pool on a hot summer afternoon, sitting obediently on the lounge table beside you as you read a trashy novel.
Equipment
- hurricane glass
- Cocktail shaker
- strainer (if your shaker doesn’t have one built in)
- Bar Spoon
- jigger
- slicing knife and chopping board
Ingredients
- 2 oz. light rum
- 2 oz. dark rum
- 2 oz. passion fruit juice
- 1 oz. fresh orange juice
- 1/2 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tbsp simple syrup
- 1 tbsp grenadine
- ice
- orange slice and cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Pour the light rum, dark rum, passion fruit juice, orange juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and grenadine into the shaker.
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds, until the ingredients are blended and chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into a large hurricane glass filled with fresh ice. Add an orange slice and cherry for the finishing touch.
Top Tips For a Perfect New Orleans Hurricane Drink
- Don’t cut corners by purchasing off-brand rum or store-bought juices. The quality of ingredients really impacts the final flavor of the Hurricane. Go for high-quality rum and freshly squeezed juices whenever possible.
- When mixing your cocktail, a vigorous shake is not only great exercise, it combines the ingredients AND chills the drink. Plus, you get that perfect dilution for a smoother taste. Target 10-15 seconds.
- The ideal cocktail is chilled, not watered down. Use large ice cubes in the glass — that’s the secret to slowing down the melting process — and always strain the cocktail after shaking to get rid of small, easily melted ice shards.
- The classic orange slice and cherry are classics for a reason. They add color to the Hurricane but are also naturally sweet and tasty. But if you’re open to change (you’re a braver soul than I), get creative! You could try a sprig of mint or a spiral of lemon peel to provide a visual appeal and complementary aroma.
- Presentation is so important when making classic cocktails. I mean, how many of us choose a drink based on how fun it looks. A Hurricane uses — you guessed it! — a hurricane glass (named for this cocktail, incidentally) but an oversized brandy snifter or highball glass will also do the trick.
FAQs
A lot of flavor usually means a lot of calories, I’m afraid. A classic Hurricane as outlined here usually has 290-340 calories a glass, so pace yourself.
The New Orleans Hurricane is meant to be savored and sipped. You want to taste that mix of sweet and tangy in every mouthful and appreciate the pas de deux of the two rums. It usually comes with a straw, so gentle sips are the order of the day.
Absolutely! Play around with the rum (or rums) you use. Maybe switch up the citrus juices or try a funky syrup. Just keep in mind that balance is key, so sample often to make sure the flavor is on the right track.
While I’m all for keeping that budget in check, it’s true that the better the rum, the better the Hurricane. Light and dark rum is the way to go, and picking a top-tier brand really can make a difference.
New Orleans Hurricane Variations Worth Trying
The Light Hurricane:Â A healthier, low-carb version that does away with those sugary syrups and replaces them with natural sweeteners. It also trims down the rum and uses freshly squeezed fruit juice over the stuff you’d find at the store.
The Hurricane Mocktail:Â A non-alcoholic variation that retains the tropical flavors of the original while replacing the rum with extra fruit juice, water, and a splash of almond or vanilla extract.
The Tropical Hurricane:Â The fruit go into overdrive! This fruity twist on the classic introduces more exotic fare like pineapple and mango juices.
The Spicy Hurricane:Â Introduce a bit of heat with a splash of spicy ginger beer to your traditional Hurricane mix.
How to Prep and Store a New Orleans Hurricane
To make ahead of time, just mix all the ingredients together (minus the ice!) and pop it in the fridge in a pitcher until you’re ready to serve.
When it’s game time, pour your pre-made mix over some ice, add a little something for garnish, and bam! you’ve got a cool batch of Hurricanes ready to be sipped.
Any leftovers can be popped back in the fridge. Just remember not to store it with ice, because nobody likes a watered-down cocktail. They’ll be good as new for a few days. If you do re-serve, don’t forget to give them a good swirl or shake to keep those yummy flavors mixed up.
