Fat Tuesday is almost here, so weโre getting in the spirit with a Passionfruit La Croix Hurricane. This twist on the New Orleans classic has the familiar flavors of the hurricane without all the sugar. (Donโt worry, Iโll include a few options for a sweeter version as well.) Like most people reading this, I donโt live in New Orleans, but thereโs no reason why we canโt still have a little fun!
Our Local Mardi Gras Celebration…
The historic district I work in celebrates EVERYTHING. (Itโs super quirky and we absolutely love it.) The street gets closed down several times a year for various festivals and street fairs, and a harvest parade. We enjoy having an excuse to decorate, get dressed up and enjoy some spectacular food and drink specials we wouldnโt normally find.
This past year has looked a bit different, with socially distanced versions of events, and Christmas festivities lasting well into January, but I still think about the last real celebration we had before COVID. Despite being in Colorado (far from New Orleans), we had a pretty fun little micro version of Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras. A brass band went marching up and down the street, with a throng of costumed celebrants in tow, gathering in various local businesses to celebrate.
Iโve been thinking about that event lately with Fat Tuesday just around the corner again. The absurdity of having so many people gathered in a small space seems like a far off dream nowadays, but weโre finding ways to do a socially distanced celebration this year. Although the brass band and Mardi Gras beads were fun, what Iโm really reminiscing about is the vegan gumbo and hurricane cocktails!
For the restaurant, we definitely made the cocktails a bit more traditional; however, after trying passionfruit La Croix by itself, I couldnโt resist making a Passionfruit La Croix Hurricane. This version has less sugar, doesnโt require passionfruit syrup or purรฉe, and tastes delicious.
Letโs not pretend that itโs going to taste the exactly the same without all the sugar, but if you like La Croix or other seltzer waters, youโre going to love this. Itโs subtle, but the depth of flavor is much more complex than drinking a seltzer by itself. The small amount OJ gives it just enough sweetness to lessen the tart flavor of the pomegranate and the acidity of the lime.
Variations
If you want to use pomegranate instead of tart cherry juice, that will also work well. If you want a more balanced, sweet cocktail, you can also add 3/4oz of simple syrup (1:1 ratio of sugar to hot water) or substitute a tart cherry liqueur or pomegranate liqueur in place of the pomegranate juice. I personally like it as is, but just know that if you donโt enjoy the tartness, adding sugar is an option. If youโre not really looking for a Passionfruit La Croix Hurricane, and youโd rather go full-sugar, youโll want to use passionfruit syrup instead of the soda.
Bar Tools
If you do not have bar tools already, I would suggest getting aย basic bartender kit/shaker set, since buying bar tools individually can get kind of pricey. If you want something more advanced, thisย Barfly kitย offers a variety of options.
Cocktail Shaker – Youโll need a cocktail shaker to make your passionfruit La Croix hurricane properly, along with a strainer if your shaker doesnโt have one built in. You can try stirring it instead, but the results wonโt be the same. Shaking emulsifies the ingredients and adds air to the cocktail, altering the overall texture. Since weโre topping the cocktail with soda, however, shaking is probably slightly less crucial, but Iโd still strongly recommend it.
Jigger – A jigger is helpful for measuring ingredients, but if you donโt have a jigger, just keep in mind that a tablespoon is 1/2 an ounce. If you want more accurate measurements, or you donโt make cocktails often enough to justify the purchase of a jigger, graduated glass measuring cups are incredibly useful for measuring liquids in the kitchen, as well as making cocktails like the passionfruit La Croix hurricane.
Strainer – Depending on the type of cocktail shaker youโre using, it might have a strainer built in. Otherwise youโll want to get a Hawthorne strainer. In a pinch, you can probably get away with not straining at all, as long as youโre using decent quality ice (from an ice cube tray, not the skinny ice maker kind), but itโs not ideal and wonโt be a good option for most cocktails.
Citrus Juicer โ While you can definitely cut limes into wedges and squeeze them by hand instead, it can be fairly time-consuming. This Kitchenaid citrus squeezer is less messy than others because the juice catches in the bottom and pours out the side.
Making the Passionfruit La Croix Hurricane Cocktail
Add both rums and all three juices to the shaker (see note), along with simple syrup, if using. Add ice (should be enough to sit above the liquid), then seal the shaker and shake hard for about 20-30 seconds. Strain over fresh ice in a 16oz-20oz glass, then top with a half can 4-6oz of passionfruit-flavored La Croix. Garnish with an orange wedge and cocktail cherry.
If you make this Passionfruit La Croix Hurricane, or try any of the recommended variations, please let us know in the comments! If you’re looking for more fruity cocktail ideas, try our Strawberry Infused Gin (with cocktail recipes!) or try our Paloma, made with fresh grapefruit. For another great way to use tart cherry juice, check out our Chocolate Cherry Adaptogen Smoothie. Enjoy!
Passionfruit La Croix Hurricane
Equipment
- Basic Bartender Kit/Shaker Set (includes everything above and more)
Ingredients
- 1 oz Aged Rum
- 1 oz White Rum
- 1.5 oz Orange juice
- .75 oz Tart cherry juice* (or substitute pomegranate juice)
- .75 oz Simple syrup** (optional, see note)
- .5 oz Lime, fresh squeezed and strained
- 6 oz Passionfruit La Croix
- Cocktail cherry (garnish)
- Orange wedge (garnish)
Instructions
- Add the aged rum, white rum, OJ and tart cherry juice to the shaker, along with simple syrup (if using).
- Add ice, then seal the shaker and shake hard for about 20-30 seconds.
- Strain over fresh ice in a 16oz-20oz glass, then top with a half can of passionfruit-flavored La Croix.
- Garnish with an orange wedge and cocktail cherry.ย
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