There’s something magical about New Orleans—the jazz, the vibrant streets of the French Quarter, and, of course, the legendary Hurricane cocktail recipe. This iconic drink, with its sweet-tart punch and rum-fueled kick, is like a liquid postcard from the Big Easy.
Whether you’re dreaming of Mardi Gras or just craving a tropical escape, these 7 Hurricane cocktail recipes will bring the spirit of NOLA right to your glass. Let’s shake, stir, and sip our way through these delicious variations!
1. Classic New Orleans Hurricane
The original Hurricane cocktail recipe was born at Pat O’Brien’s in the 1940s, and it’s still the gold standard. Sweet, tangy, and dangerously smooth, this drink is a must-try.
What You’ll Love:
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Look: Vibrant red, served in the iconic hurricane glass with a cherry and orange slice.
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Taste: Fruity, with bold passion fruit and citrus notes, balanced by dark rum’s richness.
Ingredients:
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2 oz dark rum
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2 oz light rum
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2 oz passion fruit juice
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1 oz orange juice
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½ oz lime juice
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½ oz grenadine
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½ oz simple syrup
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Ice
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Garnish: Orange slice, cherry
How to Make It:
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Fill a shaker with ice.
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Add all ingredients and shake well.
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Strain into a hurricane glass filled with fresh ice.
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Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
2. Spicy Hurricane
For those who like heat with their sweet, this Hurricane cocktail recipe adds a fiery twist.
What You’ll Love:
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Look: Deep red with a chili salt rim.
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Taste: Sweet and fruity upfront, followed by a slow, smoky heat.
Ingredients:
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2 oz dark rum
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1 oz spiced rum
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2 oz passion fruit juice
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1 oz pineapple juice
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½ oz lime juice
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½ oz grenadine
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1-2 slices jalapeño (muddled)
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Chili salt (for rim)
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Garnish: Pineapple wedge, jalapeño slice
How to Make It:
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Rim the glass with chili salt.
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Muddle jalapeño in a shaker.
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Add remaining ingredients with ice and shake.
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Strain into the glass over ice.
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Garnish with pineapple and jalapeño.
3. Frozen Hurricane
A slushy version of the Hurricane cocktail recipe—perfect for hot summer days.
What You’ll Love:
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Look: Bright red, frosty, and irresistible.
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Taste: Like a boozy tropical sorbet.
Ingredients:
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2 oz dark rum
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1 oz light rum
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2 oz passion fruit purée
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1 oz orange juice
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½ oz grenadine
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1 cup crushed ice
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Garnish: Orange wheel
How to Make It:
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Blend all ingredients until smooth.
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Pour into a hurricane glass.
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Garnish with an orange wheel.
4. Bourbon Hurricane
A Southern twist on the classic Hurricane cocktail recipe, swapping rum for bourbon.
What You’ll Love:
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Look: Amber-red with a rustic charm.
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Taste: Smoky, rich, with a fruity backbone.
Ingredients:
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2 oz bourbon
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1 oz dark rum
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2 oz passion fruit juice
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1 oz lemon juice
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½ oz grenadine
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½ oz honey syrup
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Garnish: Lemon twist
How to Make It:
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Shake all ingredients with ice.
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Strain into a glass over fresh ice.
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Garnish with a lemon twist.
5. Tropical Hurricane
This Hurricane cocktail recipe amps up the fruitiness for an extra refreshing sip.
What You’ll Love:
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Look: Sunset orange with tropical garnishes.
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Taste: Juicy, with mango and pineapple taking center stage.
Ingredients:
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2 oz light rum
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1 oz coconut rum
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1 oz passion fruit juice
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1 oz mango nectar
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1 oz pineapple juice
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½ oz grenadine
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Garnish: Pineapple leaf, maraschino cherry
How to Make It:
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Shake all ingredients with ice.
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Pour into a hurricane glass over crushed ice.
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Garnish with a pineapple leaf and cherry.
6. Smoky Hurricane
A mezcal twist on the Hurricane cocktail recipe for a deeper, more complex flavor.
What You’ll Love:
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Look: Dark ruby with a smoky aroma.
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Taste: Earthy, with a sweet-tart finish.
Ingredients:
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1 ½ oz dark rum
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½ oz mezcal
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2 oz passion fruit juice
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1 oz lime juice
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½ oz grenadine
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½ oz agave syrup
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Garnish: Lime wheel, smoked salt rim
How to Make It:
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Rim the glass with smoked salt.
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Shake all ingredients with ice.
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Strain into the glass over ice.
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Garnish with a lime wheel.
7. Zero-Proof Hurricane
All the flavor of a Hurricane cocktail recipe, minus the alcohol.
What You’ll Love:
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Look: Just as vibrant as the original.
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Taste: Sweet, tangy, and refreshing.
Ingredients:
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2 oz passion fruit nectar
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1 oz orange juice
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1 oz pineapple juice
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½ oz grenadine
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½ oz lime juice
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½ oz ginger beer
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Garnish: Cherry, orange slice
How to Make It:
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Shake all ingredients (except ginger beer) with ice.
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Strain into a glass over ice.
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Top with ginger beer.
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Garnish with cherry and orange.
Conclusion
No matter which Hurricane cocktail recipe you choose, each sip is a mini vacation to New Orleans. Whether you like it classic, spicy, or booze-free, there’s a version here for every mood.
So, grab your shaker, put on some jazz, and let the good times roll—one Hurricane at a time!