Sip the summer days away with this Hurricane Drink! This classic cocktail is fruity, smooth, and just the right amount of boozy to catch a fun buzz. Both light and dark rum are shaken up with freshly squeezed lime juice, orange juice, and passion fruit juice. Top it off with a cocktail umbrella and enjoy!

A hurricane is topped with cherries, an orange slice, and an umbrella.


Hurricane Drink

As it turns out, you don’t need to book a flight to NOLA in order to enjoy the flavors of Bourbon Street. Next time you’re enjoying a classic Cajun Seafood Boil, you simply MUST make a Hurricane Drink (or a whole batch)! While this Pat O’Brien’s original is a Louisiana classic, you’ll also find it listed on pretty much every bar menu you go to, especially if you’re by the beach.

Whether you’re headed to the beach house yourself, or simply sitting by the pool in your backyard, you should know how to shake up a Hurricane. It’s an easy drink for bartenders to make, no matter how novice you may be! After all, you don’t need any kind of special training to toss some rum and juice into a cocktail shaker. Once you master this quick and easy cocktail recipe, you’ll be the most popular summertime host on your street.

Make sure to follow my easy instructions when making this drink, and try to measure the juices and rum with care. Is it the end of the world if you add an extra splash of rum? Absolutely not! But I do recommend trying this Hurricane Drink as it is before you add any extra booze into the mix. It’s pretty balanced by all of the juices, so you don’t taste a ton of rum… But that’s not to say there’s not already a good amount in there. Drink responsibly, friends, and enjoy. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

A hurricane glass is filled with the cocktail.

How to Make a Hurricane

Grab your shaker and get ready to have some fun! This easy cocktail recipe takes just a few moments to concoct.

  1. Shake the cocktail. Add the rum, lime, orange and passion fruit juice, and cherry syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled
  2. Strain. Strain into a large hurricane glass over ice.
  3. Enjoy! Garnish with orange, cherries and a paper umbrella, if desired. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Several orange slices are placed next to a full hurricane glass.

Why is it called a Hurricane?

The origin of this cocktail is a pretty unique one. The first Hurricane Drink was shaken up at Pat O’Brien’s Bar in New Orleans during World War II. Whiskey was running low at the time, so bartenders were getting creative with rum. The name, funny enough, simply comes from the glass the drink is served in – it resembles a hurricane lamp!

Why do I have to strain it?

Typically, you shake a cocktail like this one with ice, then strain it into a glass with new ice in it. The ice in the shaker, often referred to as “dirty ice,” is discarded. The ice isn’t actually dirty, so you can feel free to pour it directly into the glass if you’d like! There’s nothing wrong with it.

Do I have to use a hurricane glass?

Technically… No. But, I think it’s worth honoring the history of the drink to serve it in a real hurricane glass. Plus, they’re super cute and lots of fun! There’s something about a cocktail umbrella on top of a Hurricane in the right glass that gets the party started. You can find plenty of options online. I love having my hurricane glasses handy for when I want to entertain during the Mardi Gras season and all throughout summer!

A garnished hurricane is placed on a placemat.

Bottoms up!

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A garnished hurricane is placed on a placemat.

Get the Recipe: Hurricane Drink Recipe

A New Orleans classic, this Hurricane drink is a fruity cocktail that will light up your party!
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Ingredients

  • 2 ounces light rum
  • 2 ounces dark rum
  • 1 ounce lime juice
  • 1/2 ounce orange juice
  • 1 ounce passion fruit juice
  • 1 ounce maraschino cherry syrup, from the jar
  • Sliced oranges and maraschino cherries, for garnish

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker

Instructions 

  • Add the rum, lime, orange and passion fruit juice, and cherry syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Shake until well-chilled
  • Strain into a large hurricane glass over ice.
  • Garnish with orange, cherries and a paper umbrella, if desired.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Best served immediately after making.
Calories: 375kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 0.3g, Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 143mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 246IU, Vitamin C: 24mg, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 0.2mg