BEHIND BARS

As I write this column, I was watching the news from Hurricane Hannah. I thought I would share a great recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation.

You don't often see them here in town, but they are a fun festive cocktail that seems to fit every occasion. We're talking about the New Orleans-style Hurricane cocktails.

If you've ever been down on Bourbon Street you know that this potent elixir is not only tasty, but quite dangerous if you have one too many. What is so deceiving is that with all the fruit juices, it really masks just how much liquor is in the cocktail. Here is a great recipe:

Hurricane

1 oz. white rum

1 oz. Jamaican dark rum

1 oz. Bacardi 151 rum

1 oz. Tequila

1 oz. Bourbon

3 oz. orange juice

3 oz. unsweetened pineapple juice

1/2-oz. grenadine syrup

crushed ice

Combine all of the above ingredients, mix well/shake or stir. Pour over crushed ice in glass. Best enjoyed through a small straw. Garnish with fruit and an orange wedge.

Millin' rockabilly

The Mill, 1026 East Montage Ave., is throwing down Rockabilly style Saturday night.

The bar is offering a great live band and even better drink specials. The establishment also offers its "Blues and BBQ" series every Tuesday night. For more details, visit www.myspace.com/themilllounge.

Ocktoberfest

Gene's Haufbrau, 817 Savannah Hwy., will host its annual celebration to honor all things having to do with beer and brats starting at noon Sept. 28.

Admission is free and the day long festival promises something for just about everyone, including the sausage eating and beer-wench contests. There will also be an official crowning of the "Oktoberfest King and Queen."

The bar is one of Charleston's oldest bars with a giant selection of over 150 different beers.

For more, visit www.geneshaufbrau.com.

AJ's news

AJ's Sports Bar and Grill, 1291 Folly Road, James Island, is now under new management.

This took place recently, and involved cleaning the entire house and starting with fresh staff and managers. The bar is introducing their Fire Fly Fridays, with $3 sweet tea vodka cocktails. Hours are 4:00 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Friday, and 11-2 am. Saturday and Sunday.

For more, call at 762-5695.

'Mellow' dinner

The Mellow Mushroom, 309 King St., is offering a fun Wednesday night dining and drinking option.

They offer a new beer for patrons to try in a specific, signature mug. The place will even allow you to take the mug home when you're done. For details on this week's beer, call 723-7374.

Healthy cocktails

After a crazy week in the gym I managed to lose the five pounds gained, and am back down to my even weight.

I will say I had a cheat day this week.

One of my close friends Barry Waldrop owns a company called True Charleston Cuisine. Normally, he does upscale catering. However, every now and again, he will open up his catering kitchen to close friends and make some dinner.

We got the invitation, so obviously we went. Now, for those of you who are not familiar with his cooking, it is sinfully delicious.

I couldn't help myself. I ate some of his famous mac and cheese.

Now, the next morning I woke up having never felt so guilty! I must have run two miles. BJ, my buddy, laughed at me because I was so down on myself for eating that amazingly good cuisine.

This week's cocktail comes to us from an online reader in Boca Raton.

As the official end of summer has come and gone, we move to a Scotch to taste. This is a way to enjoy scotch and still have some fun with it as well.

Take 1 1/2 ounces and pour it over the rocks. Mix in diet ginger ale and squeeze in a lime.

It takes the bite out of the Scotch, and makes for a refreshing cocktail.

If you have a healthy cocktail that you would like to share drop us a line at lroberts@postandcourier.com.