A Dark And Stormy Rum cocktail is a very masculine cocktail that’s refreshing and flavorful. It’s the ‘unofficial’ cocktail for the boating and sailing communities. It’s similar to a Moscow Mule but uses rum instead of vodka.
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Where Did The Dark And Stormy Originate?
This simple cocktail has quite a storied history worthy of a good telenovela or reality show.
It all started in 1806 when James Gosling (sorry ladies, no relation to Ryan) chartered the Mercury and set sail to Gravesend, UK, with a ship full of wines and spirits to sell.
He sailed for 91 days before his charter expired. He was still 700 miles from Gravesend, so he docked in Bermuda. James embraced the Bermudian culture, falling in love with the people and the country, and decided to stay.
He opened a spirits shop in 1824, and by 1860, James Gosling was importing the first rum barrels. He refined his blending process over several years, aging the elixir in charred oak barrels before producing a distinctive dark rum named Gosling’s Black Seal. He used a black wax seal on each bottle, hence the name.
Gosling also, up until 1914, would refill his rum bottles for consumers straight from the barrel. This changed during WWI when Gosling began distributing the rum in champagne bottles he collected at the Royal Navy Officers’ mess hall.
The rum became very popular with both the sailors and islanders, as did another drink produced at a factory subsidiary of the Royal Naval Officer’s Club – ginger beer. The sailors quickly discovered that their rum was a great addition to their ginger beer. The ginger beer soothed their seasick stomachs, and the rum lifted their spirits.
How the cocktail got its name isn’t clear. The rumor is that a drunken sailor noticed that the drink looked like the dark storm clouds that no sailor wanted to sail beneath.
In 1991, Gosling won two trademarks on the Dark And Stormy recipe. Making a Dark And Stormy with anything other than Gosling’s Black Seal Rum became illegal. Gosling’s company became known as the most litigious liquor company because they sued anyone making a Dark And Stormy with another brand of rum.
What Does A Dark And Stormy Taste Like?
This cocktail is a mellow and well-balanced drink. The rum has a flavor similar to dark rum but with a smoky finish. The hints of caramel and vanilla mix beautifully with the peppery, sharp flavor of the ginger beer, and the fresh, tangy lime juice balances the sweetness of the rum.
The rum is floated on top of the ginger beer to preserve as much carbonation as possible. It also gives the drink a cloudy, dark, and stormy appearance. Just be sure to stir it before drinking…unless you like drinking straight rum. No judgment here.
Are Ginger Beer And Ginger Ale The Same Thing?
No. They are two totally different products. Ginger ale is a sweet mixture of carbonated water, sugar, and flavorings.
Ginger beer is actually brewed and fermented, although most are non-alcoholic. You can use ginger ale in your cocktail, but Gosling’s Black Seal Rum pairs very well with the more robust flavor of ginger beer.
Ingredients Needed For This Recipe
There are only three: rum, ginger beer, and lime. You’ll also need a couple of highball glasses and a bar stirring spoon or metal straw. And ice. I don’t want to forget the ice.
Variations On This Cocktail
- Dark & Stormy Orchard – dark rum, ginger beer, and apple cider
- Fall Dark & Stormy – bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, and ginger beer
- Rum Buck – dark rum, ginger beer, simple syrup, lime juice
- Dark & Stormy Peach – dark rum, ginger beer, and peach nectar
- Orange Mule – dark rum, ginger beer, and two dashes of orange bitters
- Minty Mule – dark rum, ginger beer, a squeeze of fresh lime, sprig of freshly clapped mint
- Mexican Mule – tequila, ginger beer, a squeeze of lime
More Cocktail Recipes To Consider
Munchies To Accompany Your Cocktail
- Classic Pimento Cheese
- Goat Cheese Caprese Bruschetta
- Glazed Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings
- Crispy Spicy Roasted Chick Peas
Dark And Stormy Rum Cocktail
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Description
A Dark And Stormy Rum cocktail is a very masculine cocktail that’s refreshing and flavorful. The ‘dark’ comes from the black rum, and the stormy comes from the ginger beer.
Ingredients
2 ounces dark rum (I used the traditional Gosling’s Black Seal Rum)
3 ounces ginger beer ( I used Fever-Tree)
Twist of fresh lime
Lime slice as a garnish
Instructions
Fill a large highball glass with ice cubes.
Pour in the ginger beer and add the twist of lime.
Pour the rum over the back of a bar spoon so it floats on top of the ginger beer.
Serve with a lime wedge and a bar spoon to stir the drink before drinking.
Enjoy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Starters – Cocktails
- Method: Stir
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: Dark and stormy cocktail, rum drinks, ginger beer, classic cocktails, classic cocktail recipes
