Five O’Clock Somewhere

Let’s Raise a Toast to New Orleans

NOLA’s Hurricane cocktail is an enduring symbol of a city that needs our support

The Hurricane is a rum-based cocktail created in New Orleans and served in a signature glass. Image: Getty

In the days of yore, one of the best press trips I ever went on was to the beautiful city of New Orleans. NOLA. The Big Easy. I fell in love with it on a steamy August night, as my husband and I strolled on cobblestone streets as we headed back to our hotel. A light drizzle began, a solo saxophonist continued his song in the falling rain. The ornate fretwork buildings in the background, a streetcar trundling by — all of it made for such a memorable, romantic experience. Maybe you’ve had a night like that in New Orleans too; unforgettable and luminous in your memory.

I’d say New Orleans is like no other city in America, in terms of the contributions it has made to culture, to music, to food, to beverage history and more. Visiting there brings me such a feeling of my Caribbean homeland, combined with deep, dark American history, creating an intoxicating blend. New Orleans is a magical city that can transport you with romance and break your heart with devastation at the same time. The residents have experienced so much — too much, some might argue. Yet despite all odds, New Orleans is a city of ingenuity, strength, humor, and creativity. I think one cocktail that was created there speaks to all of that. Have you ever had a Hurricane before?

When we visited New Orleans, the cocktail walking tour was such a wonderful tourist experience. (If you ever have a chance to try it yourself, I highly recommend . Anumber of sites offer the opportunity.) During the tour, we learned about a number of different drinks that were created right there, behind the bustling bars throughout the Big Easy. But there’s one New Orleans cocktail that remains ubiquitously popular, particularly if you’re in the Bourbon Street area, and that’s the Hurricane. It was originally created at Pat O’ Brien’s in New Orleans — yes, the place is a touristy dueling piano bar, but it’s an essential visit for anyone interested in cocktail history.

Since 1933, Pat O’Brien’s has been slinging booze for customers, and according to history, the Hurricane was invented in the World War II era to make use of the abundance of imported rum from the…