Dark 'n Stormy Recipe

By What’s Baking

A zesty, refreshing concoction where spiced dark rum mingles with fiery ginger beer, creating a perfect storm of flavor in a glass that's both bold and revitalizing.

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

3 mins

Cook Time:

Serves:

1 cocktail

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml dark rum (preferably Gosling's Black Seal)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120ml ginger beer (not ginger ale)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml fresh lime juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Ice cubes</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Lime wedge for garnish</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Highball glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Bar spoon</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger for measuring</li></ul>

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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Fill a highball glass with ice cubes to the top. Using plenty of ice ensures your Dark 'n Stormy stays properly chilled without excessive dilution.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Add the fresh lime juice to the glass, giving the cocktail a bright citrus foundation that will balance the sweetness of the ginger beer.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Pour the ginger beer slowly down the side of the glass to minimize fizz loss. The spicier the ginger beer, the more authentic your Dark 'n Stormy will taste – traditional recipes use Bermuda-made Barritt's or Jamaica's Jamaican ginger beer.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Gently float the dark rum on top by pouring it slowly over the back of a bar spoon held just above the ginger beer's surface. This creates the signature "stormy" effect with the dark rum appearing like storm clouds gathering above a ginger beer sea.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Garnish with a lime wedge, placing it on the rim of the glass. For an extra aromatic element, gently squeeze the lime wedge over the top before placing it.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Serve immediately without stirring, allowing the recipient to mix the ingredients as they prefer. The traditional way to enjoy this cocktail is to watch the "storm" develop before stirring to combine the flavors.</li></ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 cocktail

🔥 Calories: 210 calories

🥑 Fat: 0 g

🧈 Saturated Fat: 0 g

🍞 Carbohydrates: 18 g

🍭 Sugar: 17 g

🍗 Protein: 0 g

🫀 Cholesterol: 0 mg

🧂 Sodium: 10 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

Why is Gosling's Black Seal rum specified for this cocktail?

Gosling's Black Seal rum is specified because the Dark 'n Stormy is actually a trademarked cocktail owned by Gosling Brothers Ltd. of Bermuda. Legally, only cocktails made with their specific rum can be called a Dark 'n Stormy. The rum's rich, dark character also creates the perfect "storm cloud" effect.

What's the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale in rum cocktails?

Ginger beer is essential for authentic rum cocktails like this because it's brewed and fermented, giving it a much spicier, more intense ginger flavour than ginger ale, which is simply carbonated water flavoured with ginger. The stronger kick of ginger beer provides the necessary balance to stand up against dark rum's rich character.

What are the best occasions to serve a rum and ginger beer cocktail?

Rum and ginger beer cocktails are perfect for summer gatherings, beach parties, and nautical-themed events due to their Bermudian sailing heritage. Their refreshing yet warming qualities make them suitable for both hot summer evenings and cool autumn nights, while their simplicity makes them excellent choices for casual entertaining.

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