Hurricane (cocktail)
Sweet rum cocktail from New Orleans, served in a hurricane glass.
The Hurricane is a sweet alcoholic cocktail made with rum, lemon juice, and either passion fruit syrup or fassionola. It is one of many popular drinks served in New Orleans and is traditionally served in the tall, curvy hurricane glass. The drink's most popular association is with the Pat O'Brien's chain of bars and restaurants in New Orleans.
Quick Facts
- Base
- Rum
- Served
- On the rocks: poured over ice
- Prep
- Shake ingredients with ice, then pour into the glass and serve over ice.
- Drinkware
- Hurricane glass
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The most popular association the Hurricane has today is with the Pat O'Brien's chain of bars and restaurants, particularly their original New Orleans location. The bar allegedly started as a speakeasy called Mr. O'Brien's Club Tipperary, and the password was 'storm's brewin'.' During the 1940s, Pat O'Brien needed to create a new drink to help get rid of less-popular rum that local distributors forced him to buy before he could get more popular liquors. He created the Hurricane cocktail to dispose of excess rum, poured it into hurricane lamp–shaped glasses, and gave it away to sailors. The drink caught on and has been a mainstay in the French Quarter ever since.
Reader's Guide
The Hurricane cocktail is significant as a classic New Orleans drink with a history that spans from at least 1935. Its evolution from a whiskey-gin-creme de menthe mixture to a rum-based sweet cocktail reflects changing tastes and the influence of local bar culture. The drink's most enduring legacy is tied to Pat O'Brien's, where it was created in the 1940s as a practical solution to move excess rum. The bar's speakeasy origins and the password 'storm's brewin'' add to the lore. The Hurricane's distinctive tall, curvy glass and its association with the French Quarter have made it a symbol of New Orleans nightlife. The drink's appearance in the 1939 film 'Naughty But Nice' and its service at the 1939 New York World's Fair show its early spread beyond the city. Today, the Hurricane remains a popular sweet cocktail, often made with passion fruit syrup or fassionola, and is recognized worldwide as a signature New Orleans beverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hurricane cocktail made of?
The Hurricane is a sweet, rum-based drink that combines lemon juice with either passion fruit syrup or fassionola. It is a classic New Orleans staple that leans heavily on tropical fruit flavors.
Where and when did the Hurricane cocktail first appear?
The drink is a New Orleans creation, with the earliest known references dating back to the 1940s. It has been a fixture of the city's bar scene ever since.
What glass is the Hurricane traditionally served in?
It is poured into the distinctive tall, curvy hurricane glass, which gives the drink its signature silhouette. The shape is so closely tied to the cocktail that the glass itself carries the name.
Which bar is the Hurricane most famously associated with?
Pat O'Brien's, the well-known New Orleans bar and restaurant chain, is the venue most strongly linked to the drink. The association has made the Hurricane a go-to order for visitors exploring the French Quarter.
Is the Hurricane a strong or mild cocktail?
It is a sweet, approachable drink rather than a hard-hitting shot-based cocktail. The combination of rum, citrus, and tropical fruit syrup keeps the flavor profile bright and refreshing.
More in Cocktails with rum 1-24
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