The Best Hurricane Cocktail

Ingredients

• 30 ml (1 ounce)mango and passion fruit juice
• 15 ml (1/2 ounce)grenadine syrup, homemade or shop-bought
• 30 ml (1 ounce; juice of 1/2 a medium orange)orange juice, homemade or shop-bought
• 30 ml (1 ounce; juice of 1 medium lime)lime juice, homemade or shop-bought
• 30 ml (1 ounce)white rum
• 30 ml (1 ounce)dark rum
• 15 ml (1/2 ounce)simple syrup
• As neededice

Instructions

1. 1

   Fill the shaker

   Fill a cocktail shaker or mason jar with ice.

2. 2

   Add the fruit

   Pour in the mango and passion fruit juice, followed by the grenadine.

3. 3

   Add remaining ingredients

   Add the white rum, dark rum, lime juice and orange juice.

4. 4

   Shake until chilled

   Cover the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until the ingredients are combined and chilled.

5. 5

   Prepare the glass

   Fill a Hurricane glass with ice.

6. 6

   Strain the drink

   Strain the cocktail from the shaker into the prepared glass.

7. 7

   Garnish and serve

   If desired, garnish with an orange slice and a cherry on a cocktail pick, then serve.

What is a Hurricane cocktail?

The Hurricane is a rum-based cocktail associated with New Orleans and often served during Mardi Gras. Its combination of fruit juice, grenadine and rum gives it a vivid colour and a sweet-tart flavour.

This version pairs white and dark rum with mango and passion fruit juice, citrus and simple syrup. Shaking it with ice brings the flavours together and chills the drink before it is poured.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 187 calories, 0g protein, 0g carbs, 0g fat.

The fruit juices and syrups provide most of the drink's carbohydrate, while the rums contribute its alcohol; the ingredients contain very little protein or fat. Pair it with a meal that includes a source of protein and vegetables for a more substantial serving.

Choosing the ingredients

Rums: White rum keeps the blend bright, while dark rum brings a deeper flavour. Use the two specified amounts to keep the balance of the recipe.

Juices: Freshly squeezed orange and lime make the citrus flavours lively; shop-bought juice is also an option. Mango and passion fruit juice gives the drink its tropical note.

Sweeteners: Grenadine adds sweetness and colour, while simple syrup rounds out the citrus. Since both contribute sweetness, measure them rather than pouring freely.

Shaking for the right texture

Ice: Use enough ice to fill the shaker and shake firmly for about 15 seconds. This chills and combines the ingredients in one step.

Straining: Pour the shaken drink through the shaker's strainer into a glass filled with fresh ice. That keeps the serving cold without transferring the shaker's ice.

Balancing the flavour

Citrus: Lime and orange juice provide a tart counterpoint to the syrups and fruit juice. Measure the juice carefully so neither the sweetness nor the acidity overwhelms the rum.

Sweetness: The recipe includes both grenadine and simple syrup, so avoid adding extra sweetener before tasting. If you adjust the balance, do so sparingly.

Serving the cocktail

Glass: A Hurricane glass is the traditional-looking choice, but the recipe's main practical requirement is a glass large enough for the drink and ice.

Garnish: An orange slice and cherry on a cocktail pick are optional finishing touches. Serve the drink soon after shaking, while it is cold.

What to serve alongside it

Savoury food: Serve the drink with savoury appetisers or a meal, such as spiced prawns, grilled chicken or a crisp salad. Their savoury flavours can offset the cocktail's sweet fruit notes.

Make-ahead planning: Measure the juices, rums and syrups in advance if preparing several drinks, but shake each serving with ice shortly before pouring.

Recipe notes & tips

• Chill the serving glass beforehand if you want the drink to stay cold longer.
• Measure the syrups carefully, as both grenadine and simple syrup sweeten the cocktail.
• Shake for about 15 seconds, as directed, to chill and combine the ingredients.
• Use fresh citrus juice for a brighter orange and lime flavour.
• Add the orange slice and cherry just before serving if using them as a garnish.

Variations

• Fresh citrus: Squeeze the orange and lime just before mixing for a lively citrus flavour.
• No shaker: Use a clean mason jar with a secure lid in place of a cocktail shaker.
• Less sweet: Reduce the simple syrup slightly, keeping in mind that this changes the recipe's balance.
• More citrus: Add a little extra lime juice for a sharper finish.
• Party batch: Multiply the ingredient amounts for a group, then shake individual servings with ice.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Too much syrup: Measure the grenadine and simple syrup so the drink does not become overly sweet.
• Weak shaking: Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to chill and combine the ingredients.
• Skipping the ice: Fill both the shaker and serving glass with ice as directed.
• Pouring with shaker ice: Strain into the glass rather than tipping all the shaker ice into it.
• Waiting too long: Serve soon after straining so the cocktail stays cold.

How to store

This cocktail is best made and served straight away. If you have mixed the liquid ingredients ahead, keep them covered in the refrigerator and shake with ice just before serving; do not store the drink with ice in it.

Frequently asked questions