The Original Pat O'Brien's Hurricane

A visit to Pat O'Brien's is not complete without a world-famous Hurricane!

How do you make a Hurricane?

Served in a Pat O'Brien's logo glass and garnished with an orange slice and a cherry, the fruity red concoction was created during World War II when liquor such as whiskey was in low supply. In order to purchase just one case of these liquors, liquor salesmen forced bar owners to purchase as much as 50 cases of rum, which was plentiful. In an effort to use the abundance of rum that Pat O'Brien's acquired, the recipe for the Hurricane evolved with the help of an eager liquor salesman. The name came soon after when a glass shaped like a hurricane lamp was used to serve the fruity rum cocktail.

The Pat O'Brien's Hurricane glass is one of the most sought-after souvenirs in New Orleans. Many New Orleanians have one or more in their possession, and as for what they do with those glasses once they get home, one Pat O'Brien's patron pointed out, "A Pat O's Hurricane glass can hold exactly $10.00 in pennies."

Excerpted from article written by Jennifer Lange, December 1995.

How to Make a Pat O'Brien's Hurricane