Hurricane

14-20 oz

Tall, curvy, pear-shaped glass designed for tropical and blended drinks with high volume and visual flair.

History

Origin

The hurricane glass was created in the 1940s at Pat O'Brien's bar in New Orleans. During World War II, whiskey was rationed but rum was plentiful. Distributors required bars to buy 50 cases of rum for every case of whiskey. Pat O'Brien invented the Hurricane cocktail (rum, passion fruit, citrus) to move the excess rum, and served it in a glass shaped like a hurricane lamp — the kerosene lanterns that were essential in storm-prone New Orleans.

Evolution

The glass became synonymous with Bourbon Street and New Orleans tourism culture. By the 1960s and 70s, it spread to tiki bars and tropical-themed restaurants nationwide. The shape evolved from a simple hurricane lamp silhouette to increasingly exaggerated forms — some holding 20+ ounces. Modern craft bars use smaller, more refined hurricane glasses (14-16 oz) while tourist destinations still favor the oversized versions.

Why This Shape

The pear-shaped curve is purely presentational — it showcases the layered colors of tropical drinks (red passion fruit over clear rum over ice). The narrow waist concentrates the straw toward the center, and the flared top accommodates elaborate garnishes (fruit wheels, umbrellas, orchids). The wide top also allows the drinker to smell the fruit aromatics. Functionally, a pint glass would work identically, but the hurricane shape is the entire experience.

Fun Fact

Pat O'Brien's still serves Hurricanes in the original lamp-shaped glass, and the glass itself is a souvenir — it's priced into the drink. The bar goes through over 100,000 hurricane glasses per year, making it one of the largest single-venue glass consumers in the world.

Best For

hurricanestropical cocktailspiña coladasfrozen drinkstiki overflow

Substitutes

Pint Glass Tiki Mug Highball

Bartender's Tip

The shape is entirely about presentation — the curve shows off layered colors. If you do not have one, a pint glass works for volume; a tiki mug works for vibe.