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Hurricane, Swank Cocktail #44

🏠 » Cocktails » Swank Cocktail Guide: 80 cocktails in 80 days

Hurricane cocktail
Hurricane cocktail

The Hurricane is cocktail number 44 on the Swank Cocktail Guide.

Hurricane cocktail history

Mention a Hurricane cocktail and many will say, “Oh, they’re from New Orleans-I’ve had one at Pat O’Brien’s.” Not so fast. There have been several Hurricane cocktail recipes throughout the decades.

1935 Hurricane cocktail: gin and whisky-based

In 1935, a Hurricane Cocktail recipe was published in the Tampa Daily Times‘ Wine and Liquor Guide.

The recipe, which contains whisky and gin, was reprinted from Mr. Boston’s in the Tampa Times supplement. It is the same recipe that later appeared on the Swank Cocktail Guide.

"A Guide to Better Drinks for Any and All Occasions, Hurricane Cocktail," newspaper article, The Tampa Times (Tampa, Florida), 11 Apr 1935, Wine and Liquor Guide, p. 6, col. 1.
“A Guide to Better Drinks for Any and All Occasions, Hurricane Cocktail,” newspaper article, The Tampa Times (Tampa, Florida), 11 Apr 1935, Wine and Liquor Guide, p. 6, col. 1.

1939 World’s Fair Hurricane

It has been rumored that the Hurricane cocktail was served at the 1939–1940 World’s Fair held at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York. While this is frequently mentioned across the internet, the statement is usually followed by that no evidence of was found.

1940s Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane cocktail: rum-based

Following Prohibition, rum was easier to acquire than most other spirits.

Per the Pat O’Brien’s history page, Pat O’Brien’s created the rum-based Hurricane cocktail to maximize on the availability of rum, serving the creation in a Hurricane lamp shaped glass.

Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane mix is available for sale on their website and in retail stores. And, of course, one can still enjoy a Hurricane at one of their locations, now in San Antonio and Orlando, as well as New Orleans.

Other stormy Pat O’Brien drinks include the Cyclone and the Rainstorm, both vodka-based cocktails.

Hurricane, Pat O'Briens, April 2013
We opted for a Cyclone instead of a Hurricane on our last visit to Pat O’Briens in New Orleans

Hurricane cocktail recipe

Hurricane cocktail recipe
Hurricane cocktail recipe

1/3 Dry Gin, 1/3 Whiskey, 1/3 Creme de Menthe, juice of 2 Lemons. Shake well with ice & strain.

Ingredients used:

  • Hendrick’s Gin
  • Crown Royal Canadian Whisky
  • Hiram Walker Creme de Menthe
  • Fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Hurricane cocktail review

Our ratings (1-5 🍸)

Greg: 🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸
Kim: 🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸

While neither of us is a fan of the rum-based Hurricane, we love this gin-whisky-based Hurricane. The lemon juice provides such a bright flavor, trailed just by a hint of mint. A unique, enjoyable beverage.

Next up… Cocktail # 45, Jack Rose

Swank Cocktail Guide: 80 cocktails in 80 days

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