QandAs: Food

What is a Hurricane?

Answer:
The oversized cocktail known as a Hurricane

is a potent mixture of light and dark rum, fresh fruit, passion fruit syrup and possibly gin or amaretto traditionally served in a hurricane lampshade-shaped glass.

Hurricanes have become synonymous with New Orleans, specifically Pat O'Brien's bar in the French Quarter.

The origins of the Hurricane can be traced to a post-Prohibition difficulty many bar owners faced when trying to order large quantities of liquors and whiskeys. In order to get enough whiskey for a properly stocked bar, O'Brien and other New Orleans bar owners had to accept an exceptionally large shipment of rum as well.

In an attempt to use up the excess rum, O'Brien concocted a large fruit-and-rum drink garnished with fruit slices and other tropical decorations. The name Hurricane came from the style of glass used to hold such an oversized drink, not the destructive weather event.

There are a number of different Hurricane drink recipes available in bartenders' guides, online mixology sites and other recipe sources. Some call for strictly light and dark rum as the only spirits to be used, while others suggest a very potent drink, akin to a Long Island Iced Tea, which contains gin, vodka, rum and amaretto along with the fruit juices and garnishes.

Passion fruit syrup is a commonly mentioned ingredient, but it can be difficult to obtain in regular grocery or beverage stores. Some bartenders use grenadine, a syrup made from pomegranates, as an acceptable substitute. A prepackaged Hurricane drink mix can also be combined with light and dark rum to make a decent Hurricane for an informal occasion.

Here is a typical recipe for a Hurricane in the Pat O'Brien's style:

2 oz light rum
2 oz dark rum
2 oz passion fruit juice
1 oz orange juice
juice of a half a lime
1 Tbsp simple syrup
1 Tbsp grenadine
orange slice and cherry for garnish