Happy Mardi Gras! You can celebrate in style with the iconic and fruity hurricane drink.
How to Make a New Orleans-Style Hurricane Cocktail
Updated on Oct. 04, 2024
Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” a day when people eat and drink in excess before fasting for Lent begins. New Orleans is famous for its Mardi Gras carnival, with days of parades and celebrations with plenty of food and drink. The most legendary Mardi Gras recipe in New Orleans? It’s easily the hurricane drink.
Want to bring the spirit of the Big Easy to your kitchen? Indulge in our best Fat Tuesday recipes.
What Is a 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.
How to Make a Hurricane Drink
The recipe below makes one cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces light rum
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 2 ounces passion fruit juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- 1 tablespoon grenadine
- Orange slice and cherry, for garnish
Editor’s Tip: You can buy passion fruit juice or puree in the beverage aisle of many grocery stores. You can also find it on Amazon.
Directions
Step 1: Shake ingredients
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Step 2: Pour into a glass
Strain into a hurricane glass filled with ice.
Step 3: Top with garnish
Garnish your hurricane drink with a cherry and an orange slice. À votre santé! (Cheers!) Here’s our collection of the best Mardi Gras drinks.
Do I Need a Hurricane Glass?
The hurricane drink can be enjoyed in pretty much any type of glass, but is traditionally served in a tall, curvy “hurricane glass.” These glasses can be purchased at many home goods stores or you can buy a set on Amazon.
Next, learn about Mardi Gras desserts, including the famous king cake.
More New Orleans-Inspired Recipes for Mardi Gras
Traditional New Orleans King CakeGet in on the fun of traditional king cake by hiding a little toy baby in the cake. Whoever finds it has one year of good luck! —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Check out these other Fat Tuesday recipes that are so delicious.
Louisiana Red Beans and RiceSmoked turkey sausage and red pepper flakes add zip to this saucy, slow-cooked version of Louisiana red beans and rice. For extra heat, add red pepper sauce at the table. —Julia Bushree, Georgetown, Texas
Mini MuffulettaPeople love these hearty little sandwich wedges. The New Orleans recipe is great for a party and can be made the day before.—Gareth Craner, Minden, Nevada
Crawfish EtouffeeI like to serve this Cajun sensation when I entertain. Etouffee is typically served with shellfish over rice and is similar to gumbo. This recipe has its roots in New Orleans and the bayou country of Louisiana. —Tamra Duncan, Lincoln, Arkansas
BeignetsThe Big Easy is known for its fresh, doughy beignets. Here is our recipe for making these iconic doughnuts at home.
Paczki are another Fat Tuesday tradition.
Passion Fruit HurricanesThis 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
JambalayaThis low-effort slow-cooker jambalaya recipe features chicken, shrimp, and andouille sausage, various vegetables, bold flavors and plenty of spice. It's the ultimate one-pot meal any time of year.
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Cajun ShrimpSpice up your weeknight meals with our quick and easy Cajun shrimp recipe.
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Bananas Foster SundaesI 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
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Shrimp and GritsShrimp and grits is the kind of down-home comfort food that tastes great any time.
