The HURRICANE Cocktail (not Harvey or Irma)

"Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life."
~ George Bernard Shaw

With all the devastation many people are experiencing due to the current hurricane situation, I can only imagine the amount of stress that is consuming them… If you are in one of the affected areas and have evacuated or are in a safe, concrete, elevated structure -- you could probably use a good stiff drink!

The Hurricane cocktail is iconic… And to most peoples surprise, it was invented out of necessity -- it's creator Pat O'Brien, back in the 1940's.., needed to get rid of a bunch of "less popular" rum that liquor distributors forced him to buy or they wouldn't sell him any scotch or whisky (that's more what people drank back then) -- it seems liquor distributors haven't changed much…

A little twist on the english proverb -- "necessity is the mother of invention."

So, what Mr O'Brien did was.., mixed all this unfavorable rum, sweetened it up a bit (maybe more than a bit) and put it in a glass shaped like a hurricane lamp -- BAM.., the Hurricane cocktail was invented!

The Hurricane Cocktail (original)

Ingredients:
2 oz. light rum
2 oz. dark rum
2 oz. passion fruit juice
1 oz. fresh orange juice
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup (sugar water)
1/2 oz. homemade grenadine

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice
Shake it like a dickens -- Shake it to break it
I'll say it again -- Shake it like you mean it!
Fill a Hurricane Glass with ice (Hurricane lamp shaped glass)
Pour all ingredients over ice
Garnish with orange slice and a cherry

Note:
Passion fruit juice can be hard to find.., and if you can't make your own, you can use Passion fruit syrup (1 oz of syrup instead of juice and simple syrup). Passion fruit syrup is more concentrated and sweeter.

Special Note:
The Hurricane Cocktail, although sweet.., can pack quite a punch! A normal cocktail (vodka/tonic, rum/coke) contains 1 1/4 -- 1 1/2 oz of liquor depending on the bartender… A Hurricane contains 4 oz of liquor, so don't be fooled by it's sweetness and take it slow.

Special, Special Note:
If you are feeling courageous and really need to take the edge off.., after you pour the cocktail into the Hurricane Glass you can float 1/2 oz of over-proof Rum on the top of the drink. This will add a wallop and make the drink a little less sweet!

Above all, if you are bracing for Hurricane Irma or have been affected by Hurricane Harvey -- please be safe.., and if you see anyone in distress -- lend a helping hand. If you have already made it to a safe and secure place, whip-up a few Hurricane cocktails and give yourself a break from all the distressing news. Our thoughts are with you...

CHEERS! And once again -- BE SAFE!!!


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