Hurricane

What is Hurricane?

The Hurricane is a cocktail that combines several types of rum—typically dark, white, and sometimes overproof—with passion fruit syrup or fassionola and lemon juice. It is shaken with ice and served cold in a tall, curvy glass known as a hurricane glass. The drink is sweet and fruity, with the tartness of lemon balancing the richness of the rum and syrup. Its vivid color and distinctive glass make it stand out among other cocktails.

Where does Hurricane come from?

The Hurricane’s roots go back to at least the mid-1930s, with early recipes using different spirits. Its modern form is most closely linked to New Orleans and Pat O'Brien's bar, where it was created in the 1940s. The story goes that Pat O'Brien needed to use up surplus rum, which was less popular than other spirits at the time. He mixed it with fruit juices and served it in hurricane lamp–shaped glasses, giving the drink its name. The Hurricane quickly became a fixture in the French Quarter.

How is Hurricane made?

To make a Hurricane, bartenders shake together dark rum, white rum, and sometimes overproof rum with passion fruit syrup or fassionola and lemon juice. The mixture is poured over ice in a hurricane glass. The glass itself is tall and curvy, designed to resemble a hurricane lamp. The drink is typically served on the rocks, meaning it is poured over ice cubes rather than blended or served straight.

How and when is Hurricane eaten?

The Hurricane is enjoyed as a cocktail, especially in bars and social gatherings. It is most famously served at Pat O'Brien's in New Orleans, where it has become a symbol of the city’s vibrant nightlife. The drink is often ordered by visitors looking for a taste of local tradition. It is served cold, usually without any food accompaniments, and is a popular choice during celebrations and casual evenings alike.

Kinds of Hurricane

Over the years, the Hurricane has seen many variations. Early recipes used spirits like whiskey and gin, but the New Orleans version uses rum as its base. Some recipes call for different ratios of rum or substitute fassionola for passion fruit syrup. The drink’s sweetness and fruitiness can be adjusted to taste, and some bartenders add other fruit juices or syrups. Despite these changes, the classic version remains the most recognized.

What Hurricane means

The Hurricane is closely associated with New Orleans and its festive atmosphere. It is a signature drink at Pat O'Brien's bar and has become a symbol of the city’s cocktail culture. The hurricane glass itself is iconic, and the drink is often seen in celebrations and tourist gatherings. Its history as a creative solution to surplus rum adds to its local legend.

Questions people ask about Hurricane

Good reading and sources

• Hurricane (cocktail) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data