New Orleans Hurricane (a Bourbon Street Cocktail)

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Looking to make one of the best, classic Bourbon Street drinks? This Hurricane is the ultimate party cocktail. With a smooth blend of rum and fresh fruit juices, it's easy to make and deliciously drinkable. It's perfect for Mardi Gras or anytime you want a taste of the Big Easy!

Two glasses of New Orleans Hurricanes (Bourbon Street Cocktails) with a garnish of an orange slice, lime slice, and maraschino cherry in the front glass and wooden board with bowl of garnishes in the back along with a cocktail strainer and glass pitcher.

When you think of New Orleans what comes to mind? Is it Mardi Gras and Bourbon Street? Is it a bowl of gumbo at Commander's Palace? Maybe some beignets at Cafe du Monde? Or a table-side flambe of bananas foster at Brennan's?

For me, it's all of those things and more, and one of my favorite New Orleans specialities is the classic Hurricane cocktail: A delicious, tropical tasting drink that's dangerously delicious.

I first had this iconic drink, at Pat O'Brien's of course, when I was in town around New Years for The Sugar Bowl. It was my first trip to New Orleans and wow, it was wild. It wasn't even Mardi Gras.

One thing I quickly learned? The Hurricane is as much a part of the New Orleans experience as the music, the street performers, and the late-night revelry. It's the kind of drink you sip while wandering the French Quarter, listening to jazz spill out from a club, or soaking in the energy of Bourbon Street.

I've come back to New Orleans several times since and every time I discover something new to love: Strolling through the Garden District, a Po Boy from Domilise's, and a ride on a streetcar. There's so much more than just Bourbon Street!

History of the Hurricane

The Hurricane cocktail dates back to the 1940s, when Pat O'Brien's bar needed a way to use up surplus rum. Served in its signature hurricane glass, it quickly became a Bourbon Street favorite-and for good reason. Sweet, tangy, and packing a punch, it's the kind of drink that instantly puts you in a festive mood.

It was originally served in a glass shaped like a hurricane lamp, which is how it got its name. Today, it's one of the most recognizable cocktails in New Orleans, often garnished with a cherry and a slice of orange, sometimes even served in a to-go cup as you explore the city. (Like Savannah, Georgia where I'm from, there's no open container law. You just have to transfer your drink from a glass container to a plastic one.)

Unlike the syrupy versions you might find on Bourbon Street, this homemade Hurricane is all about fresh, bright flavors. Real passionfruit juice, freshly squeezed orange and lime juices, and just the right balance of rum make all the difference. It's tart and sweet, refreshing, and way better than any mix you'd buy at the store.

And the best part? You don't need a parade or a plane ticket to enjoy one. With just a few ingredients, you can bring the spirit of New Orleans right to your own kitchen.

Want to try some more New Orleans-inspired dishes? My rum glazed bananas foster bread is to die for and is a delicious brunch recipe. This barbecued shrimp is amazing too--perfect as an appetizer or main dish. For dessert, you'll love my praline-inspired cookies.

But first-let's make that Hurricane!

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History of the Hurricane
Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
Tasty Tip
Frequently asked questions
Related
Pairing
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Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips
Food safety

Ingredients

Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we need for this recipe.

white rum
dark rum
passion fruit juice
orange juice
lime juice
granulated sugar
water
grenadine
orange slices and maraschino cherries for garnish

(See recipe card for quantities.)

Instructions

Now that we've got our ingredients, let's make this Bourbon Street drink!

Stirring sugar and water in a small saucepan to make simple syrup.

First, make the simple syrup. Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves. Let cool.

Mixing the hurricane cocktail in a cocktail shaker with squeezed orange and lime halves to the side.

Then, combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Divide between ice filled serving glasses and garnish.

Hint: Look for bottled simple syrup in the wine, beer, and mixers aisle at the grocery store.

Substitutions

Need to make an ingredient swap? Here are some ideas:

Passionfruit Juice - Instead of passionfruit juice, you can use mango nectar or pineapple juice. They are on the sweeter side, so before you add simple syrup to the drink, give it a taste first.
Grenadine - If you don't have a separate bottle of grenadine, use the cherry juice from the maraschino cherry jar.
Rum - You can use just one type of rum if you prefer not to use both white and dark rum. Golden rum is a great option too. Or, use an entirely different alcohol--vodka or bourbon are good choices.

Variations

There are so many ways to change up this recipe. Check out these alternatives:

POG Hurricane Mocktail - Want to make a hurricane-inspired mocktail? POG is a traditional Hawaiian juice blend of Passionfruit, Orange juice, and Guava nectar. Combine equal parts of those juices along with the lime juice, simple syrup, and grenadine. When it comes to nonalcoholic drinks, that's a great one.
Big Batch Hurricanes - This recipe is a great one to make as a big batch cocktail. Triple or quadruple the ingredients and mix in a pitcher. Then refrigerate until ready to serve.
Hurricane Slushy - Blend the hurricane and freeze in ice cube trays. When you're ready to serve, transfer the cocktail ice cubes

Equipment

Here's the equipment you'll need to make this recipe:

liquid measuring cup
dry measuring cup
measuring spoons
juicer
cocktail shaker
small saucepan

Storage

You can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freeze this cocktail in ice cube trays for up to 6 months.

Tasty Tip

Look for passionfruit juice in the Hispanic or international aisle at the grocery store. It's usually sold in cartons or glass bottles.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called a Hurricane?

This cocktail is called a "hurricane" because it's usually served in a glass that's shaped like a hurricane lamp.

Where was the Hurricane created?

The first Hurricane was served at Pat O'Brien's bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans during World War II. It's made with rum because during whiskey (the libation of choice during the time) was hard to come by.

Besides a Hurricane what are some other signature drinks in New Orleans?

The Sazerac, Absinthe Frappe, Brandy Milk Punch, Café Brulot Diabolique, New Orleans Hand Grenade, Creole Bloody Mary, Vieux Carré, and Daiquiris are all iconic New Orleans drinks (but there are a ton more!)

Is an Absinthe Frappé similar to a Hurricane?

Nope! An Absinthe Frappé is more like a mint julep and is made with absinthe, simple syrup, soda water, and mint leave. It's also a much older cocktail than the hurricane. In fact, a few famous fans of the original version were Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, and Robert E. Lee.

What are the must-visit legendary bars in New Orleans?

There are so many iconic bars in New Orleans. The oldest bar is Lafitte's Blacksmith Bar. For an authentic Hurricane, you've got to go to the Bourbon Street bar: Pat O'Briens. Galatoire's, Tropical Isle, and Old Absinthe House are also pretty popular.

Is Bourbon Street the best place to look for bars and live music?

Having been to New Orleans several times, there are even better places to grab a cocktail and enjoy good music and food. Check out the Warehouse District, Royal Street (for iconic New Orleans vibes), and Frenchman Street (it's a good spot to hear jazz and live music).

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this rum drink:

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