Dark And Stormyrn

a close up shot of Dark And Stormy drinks

The Dark and Stormy cocktail harmoniously layers the richness of black rum with zesty lime juice and spicy ginger beer, creating an enticing experience.

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Table of Contents

Dark And Stormy Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How To Make This Dark And Stormy Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why This Is The Best Dark and Stormy Drink Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
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One hallmark of great mixology is crafting a simple yet perfectly balanced drink that looks spectacular. The Dark and Stormy is one of those cocktails. Despite its simplicity, it offers a complex interplay of flavors. Rich dark rum complements spicy ginger beer and lime adds a refreshing citrus note, tying everything together.

The dark rum traditionally used for a Dark and Stormy cocktail is Gosling’s Black Seal Rum. This Bermudian rum is renowned for its rich, complex flavor, making it the preferred choice for this classic cocktail.

In fact, Gosling’s Black Seal Rum is so integral to the Dark and Stormy that the company has trademarked the drink, ensuring that an authentic Dark and Stormy is made with their rum.

When crafting what we believe is the perfect Dark and Stormy drink recipe, we didn’t want to settle for just any ginger beer. The team in our Spaceships and Laser Beams Test Kitchen spent hours sampling a variety of brands to make sure we had the right balance of spice and sweetness.

Our recommendation in the ingredients list below is backed by more than 15 years of recipe development experience and a meticulous selection process built into everything we do.

Dark And Stormy Ingredients

Dark And Stormy raw ingredients that are labeled

Gosling’s Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum takes center stage in this drink, while freshly squeezed lime juice adds a zingy dimension, perfectly counterbalancing the rum’s robustness.

The key to its layers lies in the fizzy ginger beer,

You’ll need four simple ingredients:

½ ounce fresh squeezed lime juice (from half a lime)
½ cup Gosling’s Ginger Beer, cold
1½ ounces Gosling’s Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum
1 slice of fresh lime for garnish

Substitutions and Additions

GINGER BEER: Ginger beer is NOT the same as ginger ale. Ginger beer is non-alcoholic, so it is typically sold in the soda aisle, and not the beer aisle, of your grocery store.

You need to use the ginger beer for an authentic Dark and Stormy cocktail.

FRESH LIME GARNISH: Elevate the garnish by substituting (or adding to) the fresh lime slice with a delicate twist of candied ginger. It adds a delightful chewy texture and a touch of sweetness, harmonizing beautifully with the cocktail’s layers.

How To Make This Dark And Stormy Recipe

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS: To achieve that visually stunning layering effect, make sure all your ingredients are properly chilled. This includes chilling the ginger beer and rum before you begin.

Unleash your inner mixologist and master the art of crafting the perfect Dark and Stormy rum cocktail.

STEP ONE: Fill a 10-ounce highball glass with ice (approximately 1 cup).

A full glass of ice is crucial for both chilling the cocktail and creating a proper layered effect. The ice helps slow down the pour of the rum, aiding in layer separation.

STEP TWO: Add the freshly squeezed lime juice over the ice, followed by the Gosling’s Ginger Beer.

lime juice added over the ice followed by the goslings ginger beer

STEP THREE: Slowly pour Gosling’s Black Seal Rum into the glass, being very careful not to disturb the layer of the ginger beer. You want to have two distinct layers for presentation.

gosling black seal poured into the black rum glass

STEP FOUR: Garnish the rim of the glass with a thin slice of fresh lime.

How To Serve

Serve the Dark and Stormy cocktail as the star of your evening soirée. Pair it with light appetizers, such as our stuffed mushrooms or cucumber bites, to complement its nuanced flavors.

The cocktail’s captivating layers and balanced profile make it a sophisticated choice for gatherings.

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Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: These cocktails need to be enjoyed immediately upon making them. As they sit, the ice will melt, and they will not keep the same consistency.

IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing this rum cocktail. It is best made fresh.

Why This Is The Best Dark and Stormy Drink Recipe

Uncover the reasons that make the Dark and Stormy cocktail a beloved classic among mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts alike.

SOPHISTICATED: The interplay of spiced rum, fresh lime juice, and Gosling’s Ginger Beer creates a symphony of flavors that evolve with every sip.

From the first tangy notes to the warming depth of the rum, each layer unfolds to deliver a captivating experience.

VISUAL ELEGANCE: The Dark and Stormy’s layered presentation is a feast for the eyes. The distinct separation of colors and textures invites admiration, making every pour a work of art.

a close up shot of Dark And Stormy drinks topped with a sliced lime

With captivating layers and harmonious blend of flavors, it can be a go-to choice for so many occasions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ginger ale instead of ginger beer?

While ginger ale may be substituted, the spiciness of the ginger beer contributes significantly to the cocktail’s character.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version?

Swap the rum for a non-alcoholic dark beverage, such as black tea or spiced syrup, to create a delightful mocktail.

Can I use a different brand of dark rum?

While other dark rums can be used, Gosling’s Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum is recommended for an authentic Dark and Stormy experience.

Can I adjust the lime juice quantity?

Feel free to adjust the lime juice to your taste preferences. Be mindful that it balances the sweetness of the rum and ginger beer.

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Dark And Stormy

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The Dark and Stormy cocktail harmoniously layers the richness of black rum with zesty lime juice and spicy ginger beer, creating an enticing experience.

Prep Time 2

Total Time 2

Servings

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Ingredients

½ ounce fresh squeezed lime juice, from half a lime
½ cup Gosling's Ginger Beer, cold
1½ ounces Gosling’s Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum
1 slice fresh lime, for garnish

Instructions

Fill a 10-ounce highball glass with ice (approximately 1 cup).
Add the freshly squeezed lime juice over the ice, followed by the Goslings Ginger Beer.
Slowly pour the Gosling’s Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum into the glass, being very careful not to disturb the layer of the ginger beer. You want to have two distinct layers for presentation.
Garnish the rim of the glass with a thin slice of fresh lime.

Notes

Ginger beer is NOT the same as ginger ale. Ginger beer is non-alcoholic, so it is typically sold in the soda aisle, and not the beer aisle, of your grocery store. You need to use the Ginger Beer for an authentic Dark and Stormy cocktail.
To achieve that visually stunning layering effect, make sure all your ingredients are properly chilled. This includes chilling the ginger beer and rum before you begin.
A full glass of ice is crucial for both chilling the cocktail and creating a proper layered effect. The ice helps slow down the pour of the rum, aiding in layer separation.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!