A Summer Cocktail to "Blow You Away"

     The Hurricane is a New Orleans born cocktail that Pat O'Brien created out of necessity to get rid of an over abundance of rum that liquor distributors forced him to purchase.    During World War II, there was a shortage of whiskey, meaning that if you wanted to serve the desirable whiskey, you had to purchase up to 50 cases of rum to be able to receive just 1 case of whiskey.    Pat's warehouse was filling up with this rum and in order to sell it he created the hurricane.    Initially O'Brien poured the concoction into a hurricane lamp shaped glass and gave it away to sailors.   The Hurricane caught on like wildfire and it has been one of the top sellers even today in the French Quarter.    The name was derived from the Hurricane lamp glass that it was initially served in, and today these Pat O'Brien Hurricane glasses are a valued keepsake.

     Today like so many other cocktails there are variations of the original cocktail throughout the world.    For me, I don't like the current crop of "grenadine syrups" that are available so I have deleted it and replaced it with cranberry juice.    The legendary strength is still there, but it has a great flavor as well.   This is not a cocktail for the "lightweight" drinker, it does contain a goodly amount of rum of considerable strength.

Bahama Bob"s Hurricane Recipe

• 1 oz. Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum
• 1 oz. White Rum
• 1 oz. Dark Rum
• 1 oz. Amaretto
• 1 1/2 oz. Orange Juice
• 1 1/2 oz. Pineapple Juice
• 2 oz. Cranberry Juice

Place all ingredients into a shake filled with ice, shake until chilled and pour into a pint or hurricane glass.   Garnish with an orange wheel and a cherry.

    Taken directly from Pat O'Brien's website, this is the recipe for the Original Pat O'Brien Hurricane.   Pat has really maximized his contol of the ingredients by selling his mix.  This is a very good marketing idea.

How to make an authentic

Pat O’ Brien Hurricane

·          In a 26 oz. Hurricane Glass, mix

·          4 oz. Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane Rum or a Good Amber or Gold Rum

·          4 oz. Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane Mix

·          Fill with Crushed Ice

·          Garnish with an Orange and Cherry

Order Hurricane Mix from Pat O’Brien Gift Shop or Call 1-800-597-4823 and “Have Fun!”

     No matter how you make your Hurricane, this is a great and refreshing summer cocktail that will turely take the edge off of your day.   as the song says "Pour me something tall and strong, make it a Hurricane before I go insane", Enjoy your summer "daze".     ;o)