A hurricane cocktail is a New Orleans classic. It’s sweet, tangy, and has just the right amount of rum to get your party started! The passionfruit syrup that you’ll need to make it has tons of other uses too… you’ll be glad you have it on hand.
What is a hurricane cocktail?
There are lots of theories about where and how the hurricane cocktail originated, but the most popular is that it began at Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans shortly after World War II when whiskey was in short supply. Liquor suppliers had a surplus of rum and required bar owners to order multiple cases of rum for one case of whiskey. In an effort to use up all this rum, the hurricane cocktail was born.
For more history on southern food and drinks you’ll want to read Southern Food: Then & Now.
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The original hurricane cocktail was said to have consisted of nothing but rum, lemon juice, and the hard-to-come-by Fassionola. Fassionola was a sweet syrup with passionfruit and other fruit flavors. These days, passionfruit syrup or puree is used in place of Fassionola along with a mixture of orange juice, lime juice, and grenadine.
I found this passionfruit puree on Amazon and it is amazing in a hurricane cocktail! Not only that, but I have also been adding it to mojitos and even gin & tonics to make them a bit more interesting and it definitely does the trick!
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The other important item you need to make a hurricane cocktail is a hurricane glass! You can find the ones we bought here. Hurricanes are also typically garnished with a slice of orange and a bright red maraschino cherry.

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If you’re like us and you love all foods and drinks from the Cajun and Creole cuisines you’ll want to try Shrimp Etouffee and Dirty Rice. Even more recipes are pictured with links at the bottom.


Hurricane Cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 oz orange juice
- 2 oz light rum
- 2 oz dark rum
- 1.5 oz passionfruit puree
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 oz grenadine
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake to blend.
- Pour over ice in 2 hurricane glasses.
This is my kind of cocktail! Great for parties and gatherings.
Thanks so much Beth!
I would love that cocktail…hurricane or no hurricane! 🙂
Exactly! Thanks, Priya.
This is one of my favorite classic cocktails! It makes me want to make another trip down south to NOLA just to partake in a true classic. However, I will settle and make a few at home.
Sounds good to us!
These days, a great drink for the patio is a must. This sounds delicious. I have not tried passionfruit puree. Sounds like a plan for Friday afternoon.
You’ve got it!
Thanks for the info about the passion fruit puree. I’m gonna have to give this a try, for sure!
Enjoy!