Classic Hurricane Cocktail Recipe

Name: Classic Hurricane Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ounces light rum; 2 ounces dark rum; 1 ounces lime juice; 1 ounce orange juice; ½ ounce passion fruit juice; ½ ounce simple syrup; 1 teaspoon grenadine; 1 orange slice; 1 Maraschino cherry

By Ksenia PrintsNov. 22, 2023 11:30 am EST

two hurricane cocktails on marble coasters

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The classic hurricane is a drink fit for tropical weather, but it can easily be adjusted to sip in the comfort of your home during cold days. With just a few ingredients and several minutes of shaking, you will have a drink that is sweet, tangy, and as refreshing as a deep in the turquoise water of the Caribbean.

According to Ksenia Prints of At the Immigrant's Table, the hurricane cocktail gets its name from Pat O'Brien's namesake pub in New Orleans. It was first developed in Louisiana when the owner challenged his team to create a new rum-based drink, and it got its name from the pub's secret phrase, "Storm's A-brewing." The drink became emblematic with the hurricane-lantern-shaped glass in which it was first served, and it remains a New Orleans staple to this day.

The beauty of the hurricane drink is the way it blends together two kinds of rum, three juices, and two sweeteners without feeling overwhelming or complicated. The whole drink can easily be assembled by any budding mixologist and requires no special ingredients or obscure garnishes. So whenever you want to sip on something refreshing that will transport your mind to your favorite exotic destination, reach for the shaker and make yourself a hurricane. It will quickly become the cherry on top of your celebrations!

Gather the ingredients for the classic hurricane cocktail

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The ingredients you need for this cocktail may seem long, but they are very easy to get a hold of. Light rum and dark rum serve as the base spirits for this drink. Fresh lime juice works with orange and passion fruit juices to provide a tangy-sweet modifier. Simple syrup and grenadine serve to sweeten the drink further, while an orange slice and a maraschino cherry are the garnish.

Step 1: Add ice

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Fill a shaker with ice.

Step 2: Add light rum

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Add light rum to the shaker with ice.

Step 3: Add the second rum

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Add dark rum.

Step 4: Add lime

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Add lime juice.

Step 5: Add orange juice

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Add orange juice.

Step 6: Add passion fruit

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Add passion fruit juice.

Step 7: Add sweetener

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Add simple syrup.

Step 8: Add a touch of red

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Add grenadine.

Step 9: Shake

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Shake until cold.

Step 10: Add ice to the glass

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Fill a tall glass with ice.

Step 11: Pour into glass

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Strain into glass over ice.

Step 12: Garnish

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Garnish with orange slice and cherry.

Can I use a different rum in the classic hurricane cocktail or modify the drink?

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Rum is at the base of this tropical drink, representing its ties to the Caribbean region. For best results, we recommend you use two types of rum — light rum, which is more neutral in flavor, and dark rum, which gives the drink molasses undertones. However, if you only have one type of rum, you can freely omit the other. You can also use spiced rum instead of dark rum, giving the drink a richer, more nuanced flavor. A rum with cinnamon notes will take the drink in a more wintery direction.

If you're not a fan of rum, feel free to use another bland spirit like vodka, which will let the juices shine, or take it in another direction with bourbon, which will make the drink feel sweeter and richer. You can also add additional juices, like grapefruit or lemon juice, or adjust the juice-to-liquor ratio to suit your tastes.

Can I make the hurricane cocktail ahead of time?

overhead view of two hurricane cocktails and garnishes

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The hurricane cocktail is a typical party drink, and it's customary to make it in a pitcher for easy serving for a group. You can also make the drinks in advance even if only intending it for one serving. The cocktail ingredients can be measured and added to the shaker or pitcher up to an hour before shaking and serving. If making ahead, just add ice right before shaking and strain over fresh ice when ready to drink.

To make a pitcher of the hurricane, simply multiply the ingredients by as many servings as are required, and mix everything in a large pitcher. As you cannot shake the pitcher, make sure you let the ingredients sit in the pitcher for at least 10 minutes for the flavors to balance, and then stir the drink very well and serve. Make sure you have plenty of crushed aside ready to serve alongside the cocktail.

What type of glass should I serve the hurricane cocktail in?

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Traditionally, a Hurricane cocktail is served in a large hurricane glass. This glass, which widens at the bottom, narrows in the middle, and then opens up into a funnel up top, allowing room for the fresh fruit garnish and maintaining the drink's tropical vibe. Some say that the glass is made to resemble the shape of a hurricane funnel over the water. However, when making this drink in home conditions, you may not want to go and especially buy hurricane glasses.

In that case, a Collins or highball glass can also work. All those are tall glasses that provide plenty of room for ice and the drink's mix of alcohol and juices. They also allow you to balance intricate fruit garnishes, with which you can play to your heart's content when serving the hurricane. We recommend using a maraschino cherry and an orange slice, but you can also use a cocktail umbrella, a cocktail pick with several pieces of fruit alternating on it, or even a glass straw.