How to Make a Traditional New Orleans Hurricane Drink for New Years

New Orleans is the home of the original hurricane drink.

The New Orleans hurricane drink dates to the 1940s, when a bar owner needed to get rid of his stock of unpopular rum. He concocted a strong but sweet and fruity drink and put it in a cocktail glass shaped like a hurricane lamp, according to Nola.com, the website for the "The Times-Picayune" newspaper. More recently, some in New Orleans have taken to kicking off the new year with a hurricane toast to Mother Nature to ward off bad weather or indulging in the drink to celebrate the end of hurricane season.

Things You'll Need

• 2 ounces light rum
• 2 ounces dark rum
• 2 ounces passion fruit juice
• 1 ounce orange juice
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon simple syrup
• 1 tablespoon grenadine
• Maraschino cherry and orange slice for garnish
• Hurricane glass

Instructions

1. Pour the rum, juices, simple syrup and grenadine into a cocktail shaker or large cup. Stir or shake to combine.

2. Fill the hurricane glass with crushed ice and then pour in the drink.

3. Use a cherry, orange slice or other fresh fruit to garnish your New Orleans-style new years hurricane.

Tips & Warnings

• You can buy hurricane mix to replace the juices. Combine 4 ounces of mix with 4 ounces of rum and pour over ice.

• Always drink responsibly, bearing in mind that the sweetness masks the strength of the alcohol.

References

• Nola.com: Home of the 'Hurricane' Pat O'Brien's Turns 75 This Week
• New Orleans Online: Classic Drinks, The Hurricane