Laissez les bons temps rouler with this iconic New Orleans cocktail. The perfect setting for a New Orleans Hurricane is in Pat O’Brien’s courtyard in the French Quarter overlooking the flaming fountain. The next best place is either at home or at a Mardi Gras party enjoying this rum based cocktail laced with tropical fruits. However, don’t let its sweetness fool you – it can definitely knock you sideways if you’re not careful!
Ingredients for this Iconic New Orleans Cocktail
I used the following ingredients for this delicious New Orleans cocktail: Light rum, dark rum, freshly squeezed orange juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, passion fruit juice, simple syrup, and Grenadine syrup.
How to Make Simple Syrup for this New Orleans Cocktail
Although you can buy simple syrup, it’s super easy to make. I combined equal parts of water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan, and brought it to a boil over medium heat. Once the mixture came to a boil and the sugar had dissolved, the simple syrup was ready. I cooled the simple syrup and stored it in a jar with a lid!
The passion fruit juice was another matter. I couldn’t find either the straight passion fruit juice or the passion fruit syrup anywhere. The best that I could do was to use a fruit juice blend that included passion fruit. As far as I was concerned, this was totally fine!
Making the New Orleans Hurricane
I mixed all of the ingredients together in a pitcher. After giving it a good stir, I poured the Hurricane mixture through a wire mesh strainer into a Hurricane glass filled with crushed ice. How easy is that? If you want to make it extra special, add a sugar cube soaked in 151 proof rum and ignite it for a flaming hurricane!
Susan actually had several Pat O’Brien Hurricane glasses from visits to New Orleans. Perfect, I thought! I added a straw and a garnish of an orange slice and cherry. Laizzez les bons temps rouler – Yum!
Perfect Appetizers to Serve with the Hurricane
By itself, this amazing New Orleans Cocktail can be deadly. However, when paired with New Orleans appetizers, you have a ready made party:
- Cajun Pork Boulettes with Spicy Dip – Cajun Pork Boulettes with Spicy Dip are an amazing appetizer. They are perfect for your Mardi Gras celebrations and are easy to put together, albeit a bit time-consuming.
- Classic Shrimp Cocktail – Ready in minutes and always a crowd pleaser, Classic Shrimp Cocktail is the perfect make-ahead appetizer for your next Mardi Gras or anytime gathering. It combines succulent boiled shrimp with a spicy tomato-based sauce for the ultimate blending of flavors.
- Cajun Sausage Bites with Spicy Dipping Sauce – If you’re looking for a perfect appetizer for your Mardi Gras themed party, look no further. Cajun Sausage Bites with Spicy Dipping Sauce are easy to make, and are kicked up a notch to satisfy your cravings. Bet you can’t eat just one!
- New Orleans Shrimp Remoulade – If you’re looking for a perfect Mardi Gras appetizer, look no further. Shrimp Remoulade (pronounced ruma-lahd) is a quintessential New Orleans dish composed of cold boiled shrimp with a spicy mustard-based dressing.
- Crispy Cajun Onion Strings with Spicy Dipping Sauce – Crispy Cajun Onion Strings with Spicy Dipping Sauce are as easy to make as they are addictive to eat. They are perfect with the New Orleans Hurricane!
- Layered Shrimp Cocktail Spread – If you like shrimp cocktail, you’ll absolutely love this New Orleans inspired Layered Shrimp Cocktail Spread. It’s quick and easy to prepare and tastes as good as it looks!

New Orleans Hurricane
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons 3 ounces, 85 ml light rum
- 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons 3 ounces, 85 ml dark rum
- 3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3 Tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons 3 ounces, 85 ml passion fruit juice
- 3/4 Tablespoons simple syrup*
- 3/4 Tablespoons Grenadine syrup
- Orange slice and cherry for garnish optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except for orange slice and cherry in a pitcher. Stir to combine. Pour through wire mesh strainer into glass filled with crushed ice.
- If desired, garnish with orange slice and cherry.
- Yield: A little over 1-1/2 cups (13.5 ounces, 399 ml)
Hi Chula,
Can you come up with a virgin (no booze) hurricane drink. Your drink is very close to
the NO drink. Our family enjoyed our visits to New Orleans.
Enjoy your recipes!
Bill Weedman Jr North Liberty,Iowa
Thanks Bill! I would try using club soda in place of the booze.
Chula