It’s time to celebrate Mardi Gras! It’s French for “Fat Tuesday,” a day when people eat and drink in excess before the fasting for Lent begins. New Orleans is famous for its massive Mardi Gras carnival. The most legendary cocktail at the NOLA celebration is easily the Hurricane drink.
Want to bring the spirit of the Big Easy to your kitchen? Indulge in our best Mardi Gras recipes!
The Story of the Hurricane Drink
The very first Hurricane was concocted at Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans in the 1940s. Due to a scotch shortage in America during World War II, bar owners purchased rum to compensate. The bartenders at Pat O’Brien’s invented the fruity drink and mixed them in bulk in an attempt to reduce their overwhelming surplus of rum. It turns out, patrons couldn’t get enough of the cocktail!
The fruity elixir was eventually served in a hurricane glass, and the name stuck. It’s easy to make a Hurricane at home, too.
What You’ll Need
- 2 oz. light rum
- 2 oz. dark rum
- 2 oz. passion fruit juice
- 1 oz. orange juice
- 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- 1 tablespoon grenadine
- Orange slice and cherry, for garnish
Note: You can buy passion fruit juice or purée in the beverage aisle of many grocery stores, or you can find it on Amazon.
Step 1: Shake It Up
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Step 2: Pour It Out
Strain into a hurricane glass filled with ice.
Step 3: Top It Off
Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice. À votre santé! (Cheers!)
Do I Need a Hurricane Glass?
The Hurricane can be enjoyed in pretty much any type of glass, but it is traditionally served in a tall, curvy “hurricane glass.” They can be purchased at many home goods stores or you can buy a set on Amazon.
Find More New Orleans-Inspired Recipes for Mardi Gras
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Springtime Beignets & Berries
I've always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they're easy! Sometimes I'll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado
Louisiana Red Beans and Rice
Smoked turkey sausage and red pepper flakes add zip to this saucy, slow-cooked version of the New Orleans classic. For extra heat, add red pepper sauce at the table. —Julia Bushree, Georgetown, Texas
Passion Fruit Hurricanes
This is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that's so popular in New Orleans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Blend of the Bayou
My sister-in-law shared this recipe when I first moved to Louisiana. It's been handed down in my husband's family for generations. It's quick to prepare, nutritious and beautiful. I've passed it on to my children, too.—Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Spicy Cajun Potato Salad
Here in Louisiana we have a lot of get-togethers, and if you want your dish to be chosen over all of the rest, it has to have a kick! This does the trick. —Amanda West, Sibley, Louisiana
Bayou Gulf Shrimp Gumbo
This recipe skips the traditional hard-to-find spices and still delivers the true seafood flavor beloved in the Louisiana bayou and beyond.—Wolfgang Hanau, West Palm Beach, Florida
True Shrimp Creole
A true Cajun dish, this recipe is even better if refrigerated overnight to allow all the flavors to blend.
Roasted Fresh Okra
If you have picky eaters who worry about texture, roasted okra is marvelous. It's OK to crowd the pan. Okra shrinks as it cooks. —Anna Katsoulis, Greenville, North Carolina
Sausage Chicken Jambalaya
For anyone who enjoys entertaining, this jambalaya is the perfect one-pot meal to feed a crowd. It’s comforting, spicy and easy to make.—Betty Benthin, Grass Valley, California
Southern Fried Okra
Golden brown with a little fresh green showing through, these okra nuggets are crunchy and addicting! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas
Ragin' Cajun Eggplant and Shrimp Skillet
We always have a large summer garden where lots of produce lingers into fall. That's when we harvest our onion, bell pepper, tomatoes and eggplant, the main ingredient of this dish. This recipe turns Cajun with the Holy Trinity (onion, celery and bell pepper), shrimp and red pepper flakes. —Barbara Hahn, Park Hills, Missouri
Forgotten Jambalaya
During chilly months, I fix this jambalaya recipe at least once a month. It’s so easy…just chop the vegetables, dump everything in the slow cooker and forget it! Even my sons, who are picky about spicy things, like this dish. —Cindi Coss, Coppell, Texas
Banana Beignet Bites
When I was a little girl, my grandmother took me aside one day and taught me how to make her famous banana beignets. Although we made them during the holidays, they're pretty fantastic any time of the year. —Amy Downing, South Riding, Virginia
New Orleans-Style Spicy Shrimp
We have family members who attended college in New Orleans. This shrimp captures their favorite flavors from the Big Easy, with the right touch of spices and heat. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
Muffuletta Pasta
A friend gave me this recipe when she learned that I love muffuletta sandwiches. Very rich and filling, this easy skillet supper goes together quickly on a busy weeknight. Serve with some cheesy garlic bread. —Jan Hollingsworth, Houston, Mississippi
Creole Roasted Turkey with Holy Trinity Stuffing
I jazz up turkey Creole style with the trinity of onions, bell peppers and celery—plus a stuffing that gets hotter and hotter the longer it sits. —Eric Olsson, Macomb, Michigan
New Orleans-Style Scalloped Corn
This colorful casserole is popular for family gatherings in many New Orleans homes. I started making it years ago, and now our grown sons include it on their own menus. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
Blackened Catfish with Mango Avocado Salsa
A delightful and tasty rub makes this quick recipe fantastic. While the fish is sitting to allow the flavors to blend, you can easily assemble the salsa. My family loves this! —Laura Fisher, Westfield, Massachusetts
Gulf Coast Jambalaya Rice
As the stew of the South, jambalaya is a definite staple. For ages, home cooks have been making their own tweaks on the traditional recipe. This rendition is my favorite. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Cajun Shrimp Skillet
There’s plenty of sauce with these shrimp—I always have some bread on the side to soak it up. Make it your own by using your favorite amber beer or flavorful broth. —Mark Oppe, North Pole, Alaska
Spicy Roasted Sausage, Potatoes and Peppers
I love to share my cooking, and this hearty meal-in-one has gotten a tasty reputation around town. People have actually approached me in public to ask for the recipe. —Laurie Sledge, Brandon, Mississippi
Cajun Shrimp Lasagna Roll-Ups
If you enjoy Creole and Cajun dishes, you'll love this one. The seasoning and andouille sausage give it a nice kick, and seafood fans will appreciate the shrimp. —Mary Beth Harris-Murphree, Tyler, Texas
Slow Cooker Red Beans & Sausage
Being from Louisiana, red beans are my go-to for comfort food. Putting on a nice pot of red beans for our Sunday family dinner goes back generations in my family. Dig in with some hot buttered corn bread. —Lisa Bowie, Las Vegas, Nevada
Authentic Cajun Gumbo
I learned to cook in Louisiana and I love to cook Cajun food. This cajun gumbo recipe is one of my favorites. —Paul Morris, Kelso, Washington
Black-Eyed Peas with Ham
Here's a regional favorite I grew to love after moving to the South. You'll never want black-eyed peas from a can again! Serve the dish as a side with grilled chicken...or make it your main course and round out the meal with greens and corn bread. —Tammie Merrill, Wake Forest, NC
Best-Ever Beans and Sausage
My wife devised this dish, which is extremely popular with our friends and family. When she asks, "What can I share?" the reply is always, "Bring your beans and sausage...and a few copies of the recipe." — Robert Saulnier, Clarksburg, Massachusetts
Corn Pudding
Jiffy mix and canned corn make this Southern corn pudding casserole a snap to prepare. Now this is real comfort food! —P. Lauren Fay-Neri, Syracuse, New York
Southern Pimiento Cheese Spread
A classic southern comfort food, this spread is used as an appetizer with crackers, corn chips or celery. It is also smeared between two slices of white bread for sandwiches and as a topping for hamburgers and hot dogs. —Eileen Balmer, South Bend, Indiana
Grandma's Collard Greens
My grandmother made the best collard greens in the world. Eating them with a slice of buttermilk corn bread is pure bliss. —Sherri Williams, Crestview, Florida
Homey Mac & Cheese
I also call this "my grandson's mac and cheese." Zachary has been to Iraq and Afghanistan with both the Marines and Navy, and I've been privileged to make his favorite casserole for him for over 20 years. —Alice Beardsell, Osprey, Florida
Chicken and Okra Gumbo
We used to live in New Orleans, but our taste buds don't know we moved yet. I still make many Creole dishes, and gumbo is one of our favorites. —Catherine Bouis, Palm Harbor, Florida
Sweet Tea Barbecued Chicken
Marinades sometimes use coffee or espresso, and that inspired me to add tea to perk up a barbecue sauce.—Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
Cheddar Corn Biscuits
Skip standard bake-and-serve dinner rolls this year and try my fast-to-fix biscuits studded with cheddar and corn. It's almost impossible to resist eating one right from the oven! —Susan Braun, Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Iva's Peach Cobbler
My mother received this peach cobbler recipe from a friend of hers many years ago, and fortunately she shared it with me. Boise is situated right between two large fruit-producing areas in our state, so peaches are plentiful in the summer. —Ruby Ewart, Boise, Idaho
Cajun Boil on the Grill
I came up with these everything-in-one seafood packets for a family reunion, since the recipe can be increased to feed a bunch. The foil steams up inside, so open carefully. —Allison Brooks, Fort Collins, Colorado
Skillet Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
For a change of pace, you can substitute fresh or frozen peach slices for the pineapple in this old-fashioned recipe. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas
Bananas Foster Sundaes
I have wonderful memories of eating bananas Foster in New Orleans, and as a dietitian, wanted to find a healthier version. I combined the best of two recipes and added my own tweaks to create this southern treat. —Lisa Varner, Charleston, South Carolina
Creole Cornbread
Cornbread is a staple of Cajun and Creole cuisine. This is an old favorite that I found in the bottom of my recipe drawer, and it really tastes wonderful. —Enid Hebert, Lafayette, Louisiana
Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie
When my fiance first made this chocolate bourbon pecan pie for me, I declared it to be the best pie ever! Creamy chocolate combines with crunchy nuts in a great, gooey filling. —Tanya Taylor, Cary, North Carolina
Red Beans and Sausage
Turkey sausage, beans and a zesty blend of spices make this a deliciously unique meal.—Cathy Webster, Morris, Illinois
Cajun Pecan Catfish
This is one of our favorite recipes. It's quick, easy and delicious. Just serve with a side salad, biscuits and mixed fruit for dessert. We like it a lot for Christmas Eve. —Jan Wilkins, Blytheville, Arkansas
Grandma's Cajun Chicken & Spaghetti
I’m originally from Louisiana, where my grandma spoke Cajun French as she taught me her spicy chicken spaghetti, lovingly made on an old woodstove. —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
Cajun Corn Soup
I found this recipe years ago and substituted Cajun stewed tomatoes for a bolder taste. Now I prepare this dish for out-of-state guests who want to taste some Cajun food. Everyone who tries it gives it high marks. Plus, it's easy to prepare. —Sue Fontenot, Kinder, Louisiana
Cornbread Casserole
Since my husband likes spicy foods, I frequently sprinkle chopped jalapeno peppers over half of this casserole for him. —Carrina Cooper, McAlpin, Florida
Muffuletta Cheesecake
When I needed a party appetizer and couldn’t find a recipe I liked, I created my own. This savory spread boasts the flavors of a classic Italian muffuletta sandwich. —Helen Flamm, Dayton, Ohio
Cajun Pork Sandwiches
This recipe's simple spice rub gives pork tenderloin an irresistible flavor. You'll watch in delight as these tasty open-faced sandwiches disappear from the buffet table! —Mae Kruse, Monee, Illinois
King Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
Round out your Mardi Gras celebration with a King Cake—a colorful ring-shaped pastry drizzled with green, gold and purple icing. This stunning cake has become the gala holiday’s signature dessert.—Alice LeJeune, Ville Platte, Louisiana
Southern Shrimp and Grits
A southern specialty, this easy shrimp and grits recipe tastes great for brunch, dinner and when company’s coming. It’s down-home comfort food at its finest. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
Seafood Gumbo
Gumbo is one dish that makes Louisiana cuisine so famous. We live across the state line in Texas and can’t seem to get enough of this traditional Cajun dish that features okra, shrimp, spicy seasonings and the “holy trinity”—onions, green peppers and celery. This recipe calls for seafood, but you could also use chicken, duck or sausage. —Ruth Aubey, San Antonio, Texas
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