Hurricane Glasses for Drinks: Sizes, Uses and Care

Hurricane glasses are tall, curving stemmed glasses best known for serving the colorful New Orleans–associated Hurricane cocktail, as well as other tropical drinks. Their broad bowl makes room for ice, juice, and garnishes, while the stem gives you a way to hold the glass without warming the drink; choosing the right size and chilling it helps cocktails stay enjoyable.

Ingredients

4 oz (120 ml) light rum
2 oz (60 ml) dark rum
4 oz (120 ml) passion fruit juice or nectar
2 oz (60 ml) orange juice
1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice
1 oz (30 ml) simple syrup
1 oz (30 ml) grenadine
2 cups (280 g) ice, divided, plus extra for serving as needed
2 orange slices, for garnish
2 maraschino cherries, for garnish

Instructions

Chill two hurricane glasses in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, or fill them with ice water while you make the drinks. Empty and dry the glasses if using the ice-water method. A typical hurricane glass holds about 12–20 oz (355–590 ml), but capacity varies; check your glasses before pouring.
Add the light rum, dark rum, passion fruit juice, orange juice, lime juice, simple syrup, grenadine, and 2 cups (280 g) of ice to a cocktail shaker. If your shaker is small, mix in two batches so it has room to move.
Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until the outside feels cold. This chills and combines the ingredients while slightly diluting the drink.
Fill each chilled hurricane glass with fresh ice. Strain or pour half of the mixture into each glass. If the drinks nearly reach the rim, remove a little ice or serve the remainder in a small glass rather than forcing it into the bowl.
Garnish each drink with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately with a straw or cocktail stirrer. This alcoholic drink is for adults of legal drinking age; drink responsibly.

Tips

Check capacity before mixing. Hurricane glasses are sold in different sizes, and some hold much more than the recipe’s two servings require. The recipe makes about 12 oz (355 ml) per drink before ice; use smaller glasses or divide the mixture among more servings if yours are compact.
Balance sweetness to taste. Passion fruit nectar, grenadine, and simple syrup vary in sweetness. Start with the listed amounts, taste a small sip, and add a little lime juice for tartness or syrup for sweetness before dividing the drink.
Use juice, not concentrate, unless diluted. Passion fruit nectar is an easy-to-find option. Unsweetened passion fruit purée can also work, but thin it with water or orange juice and adjust the sweetener because purée is often thicker and tarter.
Shake with plenty of ice, then serve over fresh ice. Reusing shaker ice can make the drink watery and may leave it with small chips. Don’t shake carbonated mixers; this recipe has none, but any soda should be added gently in the glass.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the drinks immediately in clean, chilled hurricane glasses, with the garnish resting on the rim or floating on top. Their generous bowl suits crushed or cubed ice, but leave enough headroom to prevent spills when carrying the glass. A straw or reusable cocktail stirrer makes the layers and ice easier to manage; give the drink a quick stir before sipping because fruit juice and syrup can settle.

For a party, measure the juices and syrups ahead of time and refrigerate them in a covered container. Shake each serving with rum and ice shortly before serving rather than adding ice to a large batch; melting ice will dilute the mix. Set out a nonalcoholic option in separate glasses and clearly label alcoholic drinks.

Variations

Less sweet: Omit the simple syrup, then taste before adding any back. The finished drink will be tarter, particularly if using unsweetened passion fruit juice.
More tart and citrusy: Increase lime juice by ½ oz (15 ml) and reduce the simple syrup by the same amount. This shifts the balance without changing the glass or method.
With fresh passion fruit: Replace the passion fruit juice with 2 oz (60 ml) passion fruit purée and add 2 oz (60 ml) water. Strain after shaking if you prefer a smooth drink; the seeds are edible but can collect around the straw.
Zero-proof version: Leave out both rums and add 6 oz (180 ml) chilled sparkling water or nonalcoholic spirit alternative. Shake the juices, syrup, grenadine, and ice first, then stir in sparkling water in the glass. The flavor will be fruitier and less warming than the rum version.

Storage and Reheating

These drinks are best made and served fresh; they are not suitable for reheating. For a short make-ahead window, combine the juices, simple syrup, and grenadine in a covered container and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the rum, shake with ice, and serve when ready. Keep the mixture and garnishes refrigerated, and discard anything left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Do not store a finished drink with ice, since melting ice quickly dilutes it. Wash and dry glassware after use, and follow the maker’s care instructions; hand-washing is a safer choice for delicate or unusually shaped glasses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hurricane glass used for?
A hurricane glass is commonly used for tropical cocktails, especially drinks served over ice with fruit juice and garnishes. Its tall, flared bowl provides room for a generous pour and decoration. It can also hold nonalcoholic fruit drinks or iced beverages.

How many ounces does a hurricane glass hold?
There is no single standard capacity. Many hold about 12–20 oz (355–590 ml), while some oversized styles hold more. Check the product details or measure yours with water before filling it with a cocktail.

Is a hurricane glass the same as a poco grande glass?
They are similar, stemmed glasses with curved bowls, and retailers sometimes use the names loosely. Shapes and capacities vary, so the label is less useful than checking the glass’s actual volume and whether it feels stable in your hand.

Can I serve this drink without a shaker?
Yes. Add the ingredients and ice to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake for about 15 seconds, then strain or pour into the glasses. If using a jar without a secure seal, stir the ingredients thoroughly with ice instead of shaking to avoid leaks.

Can I make the drink ahead for a group?
You can mix the juices, syrup, and grenadine up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate them covered. For the freshest texture, add rum and shake individual portions with ice just before serving. Avoid leaving a pitcher over ice, which steadily waters it down.

What can I use if I don’t own hurricane glasses?
A highball glass, large wine glass, or sturdy tumbler works. Choose a glass that holds the serving comfortably with ice and leaves room at the top. The shape changes the presentation, not the drink’s flavor.

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