Mardi Gras Salad – Boozy Fresh Fruit Salad Recipe

My famous Mardi Gras salad recipe is a boozy tropical fruit salad that tastes just like a New Orleans Hurricane cocktail! This colorful party dish combines fresh pineapple, strawberries, oranges, and berries with a rum-spiked honey-lime dressing that’s absolutely irresistible. The best part? It only takes about 20 minutes to prepare, then just 30 minutes to chill before your guests arrive!

I first created this Hurricane fruit salad when we were planning a Mardi Gras party years ago. I wanted something that captured the fun, festive spirit of New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street cocktail but in a healthier form that wouldn’t leave everyone tipsy before dinner. My family loved it so much that it’s become our go-to dish for every Mardi Gras celebration, and now our friends request it for summer parties, potlucks, and even Sunday brunch gatherings!

What makes this recipe so special is that it truly tastes like a Hurricane cocktail – you get that tropical rum flavor combined with sweet fruit and citrus notes. Even picky eaters who normally avoid fruit salad ask for seconds! Plus, the vibrant purple, green, and gold colors naturally match Mardi Gras colors, making it the perfect centerpiece for your Fat Tuesday celebration.

What is a Hurricane Cocktail?

Before we dive into the recipe, let me tell you about the drink that inspired this boozy fruit salad. A Hurricane is a famous New Orleans cocktail that originated in the 1940s at Pat O’Brien’s bar in the French Quarter. It’s a strong, tropical drink made with dark rum, light rum, passion fruit juice, and citrus, then garnished with orange slices and maraschino cherries.

The Hurricane tastes fruity and sweet with a powerful rum kick – it’s definitely not a subtle cocktail! Many bars on Bourbon Street limit how many they’ll serve to one person because they pack such a punch. Our Mardi Gras fruit salad captures all those delicious tropical flavors but mellows out the alcohol content since the rum is spread across 10-12 cups of fresh fruit.

Key Ingredient Notes

While you’ll find the full ingredient list in the recipe card below, I wanted to highlight a few important ingredients that make this Hurricane salad so special:

• Dark Rum: I recommend using a good sipping rum like Diplomatico or Pyrat – we don’t use spiced rum, but you can use it with tropical fruit as listed below. The dark rum gives the salad that rich, molasses-y depth that’s essential to a Hurricane cocktail. You’ll need about 1.5 ounces, which is just enough to add flavor without making the salad overly boozy.
• Light Rum: Also called white rum, this adds the bright, clean rum flavor. I prefer rums from the Dominican Republic or Barbados for their smooth taste. Combine this with the dark rum and you get that authentic two-rum Hurricane blend.
• Fresh Orange Juice: Please use fresh squeezed orange juice if possible! The flavor difference is incredible compared to bottled juice. You’ll need about 1/4 cup. If you must use bottled, choose 100% orange juice that’s not from concentrate.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Just like the orange juice, fresh squeezed makes all the difference. The lime juice adds the perfect tart balance to the sweet fruit and honey. You’ll need about 1/8 cup (2 tablespoons).
• Honey: This natural sweetener helps bind all the flavors together and keeps the fruit from oxidizing too quickly. The honey also coats the fruit beautifully, giving everything a gorgeous gloss. Any variety of honey works, but I love using a light wildflower or clover honey that won’t overpower the delicate fruit flavors.
• Fresh Fruit Selection: The key to the best Mardi Gras fruit bowl is choosing fruits that hold up well and won’t get mushy. I use pineapple, strawberries, oranges, kiwi, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. These fruits stay firm even after marinating in the rum dressing. Avoid soft fruits like bananas, peaches, or melon balls that will break down too quickly.
• Maraschino Cherries: These are mainly for garnish and to add that classic Hurricane cocktail look. They also add little pops of sweet flavor throughout the salad!

Pro Tips for Making Perfect Mardi Gras Salad

Before you head to the recipe card, here are some helpful tips I’ve learned from making this Hurricane fresh fruit salad dozens of times:

• Cut Uniformly: Cut all your fruit into similar bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch chunks). This ensures every spoonful has a nice variety of fruit and that the dressing coats everything evenly. It also makes the salad easier to serve and eat!
• Chill Before Serving: This is crucial! I dress the salad and chill it for exactly 30 minutes before serving. This timing is perfect – the fruit stays crisp and fresh but picks up all those wonderful rum and citrus flavors. If you marinate it too long (over 2 hours), the rum flavor can become too strong and slightly bitter.
• Make Ahead Strategy: You can cut up all the fruit earlier in the day or even the night before your party. Store each type of fruit in separate containers in the refrigerator. Don’t mix them together or add the dressing until about 30 minutes before serving time. This keeps everything fresh and prevents color bleeding between fruits.
• Drain Excess Liquid: After the salad has marinated and you’re ready to serve, you might notice some liquid pooling at the bottom of the bowl. I recommend draining most of this liquid off before serving. The fruit will have absorbed plenty of flavor, and removing excess liquid prevents the salad from getting soggy. It also keeps the rum flavor from becoming overwhelming.
• Room Temperature Rum: Use room temperature rum and citrus juice for the dressing. Cold liquids won’t blend as smoothly with the honey. I mix my dressing ingredients in a small bowl first, whisking until the honey is completely dissolved, then pour it over the fruit.
• Gentle Stirring: When you add the dressing to the fruit, stir gently with a large spoon or rubber spatula. You want to coat all the fruit without bruising delicate berries or breaking up the strawberries.
• Non-Alcoholic Version: Want to make this family-friendly? Simply leave out the rum! The fresh fruit salad is still delicious with just the orange juice, lime juice, and honey dressing. You could also add a splash of passion fruit juice or tropical juice blend to maintain some of that Hurricane cocktail flavor profile.

How to Serve Your Hurricane Fruit Salad

This Mardi Gras fruit salad is incredibly versatile and works for so many occasions! Here are my favorite ways to serve it:

For Mardi Gras Parties: Serve this salad in a large glass bowl so guests can see all those beautiful purple, green, and gold colors. Surround the bowl with colorful Mardi Gras beads for a festive presentation. I like to use a clear glass punch bowl or trifle dish to really showcase the fruit layers.

As a Side Dish: This boozy salad pairs perfectly with savory New Orleans dishes like our Slow Cooker Jambalaya, Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo, Red Beans and Rice, or Blackened Shrimp. The sweet, fruity flavors balance rich, spicy main courses beautifully.

For Brunch: This salad is fantastic at brunch parties! Serve it in individual martini glasses or small dessert bowls for an elegant presentation. Pair it with Asparagus Crustless Quiche, Crescent Roll breakfast Casserole, or my Ham and Cheese Breakfast Strata for a complete brunch spread.

Summer Cookouts: Even though it’s a Mardi Gras recipe, we make this all year round! It’s wonderful at summer barbecues, pool parties, and Fourth of July celebrations. The tropical flavors scream summertime, and the boozy twist makes it perfect for adult gatherings. Our Grilled Lamb Loin Chops or Barbecued Brisket Sandwich.

If you’re looking for a unique bread to serve alongside your Mardi Gras meal, my Griddle Scones are absolutely fantastic. They’re cooked on a griddle rather than baked, giving them a distinctive texture that’s perfect for soaking up gumbo or jambalaya.

Serving Tips: Use a slotted spoon to serve the salad so you don’t add too much liquid to plates. Garnish each serving with a fresh maraschino cherry on top and maybe a small sprig of fresh mint for color. Some people love to add a dollop of whipped cream or coconut whipped cream on top for an extra dessert-like presentation!

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover Hurricane salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The acidity from the citrus juice and the honey help preserve the fruit and prevent it from oxidizing too quickly. However, I do recommend draining any excess liquid before storing, as too much juice can make the fruit soggy and intensify the rum flavor to an almost bitter level.

Does It Freeze? I don’t recommend freezing this fresh fruit salad. The high water content in fresh fruit means it will become mushy and lose its appealing texture when thawed. The rum mixture also won’t freeze solid, which creates an icy, watery mess. This salad is best enjoyed fresh!

Day Two Serving: If you’re eating leftovers the next day, give the salad a gentle stir and taste it. Sometimes the fruit releases more juice overnight, and you may want to drain some liquid before serving. The fruit will have absorbed more rum flavor, making it a bit stronger – some people love this, others prefer it fresher!

Make-Ahead Tips: For the best results, I prepare all my fruit and keep it in separate containers in the fridge for up to 24 hours before the party. I mix the rum dressing ingredients separately and store them in a small jar in the refrigerator. Then, 30 minutes before guests arrive, I combine everything and let it chill. This way, the salad is perfectly fresh but you’ve done most of the work ahead of time!

Delicious Variations to Try

One of my favorite things about this Mardi Gras salad recipe is how easily you can customize it! Here are some variations my family and friends love:

• Tropical Hurricane Salad: Add chunks of fresh mango, papaya, and passion fruit for an even more tropical flavor. You can also toss in some toasted coconut flakes right before serving for extra texture and island vibes!
• Berry-Heavy Version: If you love berries, increase the raspberries and blackberries and add some sliced red grapes. This creates a deeper purple color that’s perfect for Mardi Gras and adds more antioxidants.
• With Fresh Herbs: Fold in some fresh mint leaves or torn basil leaves just before serving. The herbs add a sophisticated twist and complement the fruit beautifully. Mint especially pairs wonderfully with the rum and citrus flavors!
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted pecans, sliced almonds, or chopped macadamia nuts over the top right before serving. The crunch contrasts nicely with the soft fruit, and nuts pair beautifully with rum flavors. Just don’t add them too early or they’ll get soggy.
• Spiced Rum Version: Swap the dark rum for a good spiced rum like Kraken or Captain Morgan Private Stock. This adds warm spice notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg that complement fall and winter celebrations.
• Extra Citrus: Add some grapefruit sections or blood orange segments for more tart citrus flavor and gorgeous color. The bitter notes from grapefruit balance the sweet honey beautifully.
• Family-Friendly Option: As I mentioned earlier, you can completely omit the rum for a non-alcoholic version. Add a splash of passion fruit juice, guava juice, or tropical fruit punch to maintain that Hurricane flavor profile without the alcohol.
• Boozy and Creamy: For a dessert-like version, fold in some vanilla Greek yogurt or coconut cream after the fruit has marinated. This creates a creamy, ambrosia-style salad that’s absolutely decadent!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad without alcohol?
Absolutely! Simply omit both rums and increase the orange juice slightly, or add a splash of tropical fruit juice like passion fruit or guava juice. The salad will still be delicious and refreshing without the booze.

What fruits work best in Hurricane salad?
Choose firm fruits that won’t break down quickly: pineapple, strawberries, kiwi, oranges, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries all work wonderfully. Avoid soft fruits like bananas, ripe peaches, or watermelon that will get mushy.

How far in advance can I prepare this?
You can cut the fruit up to 24 hours ahead and store it in separate containers. Mix the dressing separately. Combine everything just 30 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Can I substitute the honey with something else?
Yes! Agave nectar works wonderfully and has a similar consistency. You could also use maple syrup, though it will add a distinct flavor. Sugar dissolved in a bit of warm water works too, though honey and agave coat the fruit better.

What if I can’t find fresh passion fruit?
While traditional Hurricane cocktails include passion fruit juice, this recipe doesn’t require it. The combination of orange and lime juice provides plenty of tropical flavor. If you want to add it, look for passion fruit juice or puree in the international section of your grocery store.

How boozy does this salad actually taste?
With 3 ounces of rum total spread across 10-12 cups of fruit, it’s definitely boozy but not overwhelming. You can taste the rum, but it’s more of a pleasant spike than a strong alcohol burn. If you want it less boozy, reduce the rum by half.

What’s the best type of bowl to serve this in?
A clear glass bowl shows off the beautiful colors best! A punch bowl, trifle dish, or large glass serving bowl all work wonderfully. Avoid metal bowls, which can react with the acid in the citrus juice.

Let’s Celebrate Mardi Gras Together!

This Mardi Gras salad has become one of my most treasured party recipes, and I truly hope it becomes a favorite in your home too! The combination of fresh tropical fruit, rum-spiked dressing, and festive colors makes it perfect for Fat Tuesday celebrations, but honestly, we find excuses to make it year-round. There’s something special about a dish that’s both healthy and indulgent, refreshing yet boozy, simple yet impressive!

Whether you’re hosting a big Mardi Gras bash or just looking for a fun way to celebrate with your family, this Hurricane fruit salad delivers. It captures the spirit of New Orleans in every bite – festive, flavorful, and always a good time!

Please let me know in the comments if you try this recipe! I love hearing about your Mardi Gras celebrations and how this salad turns out in your kitchen. Did you make any fun variations? Don’t forget to leave a five-star rating if you enjoyed this recipe – it helps other home cooks find these delicious dishes!

Now raise your bowls (or Hurricane glasses!) with me and let’s toast to Mardi Gras: Laissez les bons temps rouler – let the good times roll!

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Originally shared October 24, 2016 – Updated January 26, 2026. Enhanced with more detailed instructions, tips, and serving suggestions. No changes were made to the recipe.