Hurricanes by the Pitcher

Step 1

Use a vegetable peeler to remove 2 long strips of lemon peel, being careful not to take any of the white pith, which can be bitter. Juice the lemons; you should have 1 1/4 cups of juice.

Step 2

Put the lemon peel, sugar, 1 cup of the lemon juice and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. Discard the lemon peel.

Step 3

Put the orange and lime slices in a large pitcher (or a clean stock pot if you are making an extra-large batch for family and friends). Using a wooden spoon or muddler, lightly bruise the citrus to release some of the juices and essential oils from the skins.

Step 4

Stir in the orange juice, coconut water, dark and light rum, grenadine, pineapple juice, the remaining 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 cup of the lemon syrup. (The remaining syrup can be refrigerated in a covered container for up to 1 week.)

Step 5

Thread an orange slice, a lime slice and a maraschino cherry onto each of 8 small skewers. Fill 8 glasses with ice. Pour the hurricanes over the ice and rest a fruit skewer on each glass. Serve with tall bendy straws.