S
Sonja Overhiser
Guest
- Thread Author
- #1
A classic Dark and Stormy cocktail stars dark rum, spicy ginger beer, and a squeeze of lime. Here’s the backstory of this classic drink and how to make it!
Just 3 ingredients make up this classic cocktail, the Dark and Stormy! As a cocktail expert who’s made hundreds of drinks, I still find this easy rum cocktail always hits the spot.
Each ingredient has lots of personality: rich, earthy dark rum, with vanilla and brown sugar notes, and spicy ginger beer, fruity and filled with effervescent bubbles. Top it off with a squeeze of tangy lime, and there’s not much that’s better for a hot afternoon (or anytime!). I love that there’s no cocktail skill needed: pour it in the glass, and drink up!
The Dark and Stormy cocktail is a highball cocktail made with dark rum and ginger beer, similar to a Moscow Mule with rum. The story goes that the drink was invented in Bermuda sometime after World War I, around 1918. British naval officers had been brewing up ginger beer to fight sea sickness, and in a genius move combined it with Goslings Dark Rum. (Read the full history here.)
The Gosling Brothers company has since trademarked the drink under the name “Dark ‘n Stormy,” indicating it should only be made with Goslings Black Seal Rum and their brand of ginger beer. Because of this, some bar menus use different names for this drink, like Safe Harbor.
This cocktail is on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning that it has an “official” definition. To skirt the legal implications, IBA calls it the Dark ‘n’ Stormy, with two apostrophes instead of one. The ingredients in a Dark and Stormy cocktail are:
What type of dark rum to buy for a Dark and Stormy? Like with any drink, here’s my mantra: the better the liquor, the better the drink! I try to find a mid-price range rum, which is usually indicative of quality. Of course, if you want to be totally traditional: get Goslings Black Seal Rum.
The ginger beer is what has most influence on the flavor of a Dark and Stormy cocktail: even more so than the rum! You’ll want to find a brand that’s sweetened just enough, and made with real ginger. Avoid ginger beer with artificial sweeteners and flavors. Here are our favorite ginger beer brands to buy:
You can make this classic drink right in the glass:
Pro tip: To get the layers in a Dark and Stormy, you start with the ginger beer in the glass, then top off with the rum. But make sure to stir before you drink it! Taking a sip of the layered drink will give you a hit of 100% rum: you won’t get the ginger beer flavor unless you stir.
Yes and no! A Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail made with vodka and ginger beer. There are lots of famous variations on the mule, like the Mexican Mule and Kentucky Mule. But the Dark and Stormy isn’t technically a mule because of two key differences:
That said, many sources consider a Dark and Stormy cocktail a Moscow mule made with dark rum. We’ll let you decide!
The Dark and Stormy is bold, bubbly and refreshing. It’s perfect for sipping as a:
Print
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
No reviews
Combine ginger beer and dark rum and you’ve got the Dark and Stormy! Here’s how to make this classic cocktail…in just 2 minutes.
Get our free newsletter with all of our best recipes!
Just 3 ingredients make up this classic cocktail, the Dark and Stormy! As a cocktail expert who’s made hundreds of drinks, I still find this easy rum cocktail always hits the spot.
Each ingredient has lots of personality: rich, earthy dark rum, with vanilla and brown sugar notes, and spicy ginger beer, fruity and filled with effervescent bubbles. Top it off with a squeeze of tangy lime, and there’s not much that’s better for a hot afternoon (or anytime!). I love that there’s no cocktail skill needed: pour it in the glass, and drink up!
What Is a Dark and Stormy?
The Dark and Stormy cocktail is a highball cocktail made with dark rum and ginger beer, similar to a Moscow Mule with rum. The story goes that the drink was invented in Bermuda sometime after World War I, around 1918. British naval officers had been brewing up ginger beer to fight sea sickness, and in a genius move combined it with Goslings Dark Rum. (Read the full history here.)
About the Name (and the Trademark)
The Gosling Brothers company has since trademarked the drink under the name “Dark ‘n Stormy,” indicating it should only be made with Goslings Black Seal Rum and their brand of ginger beer. Because of this, some bar menus use different names for this drink, like Safe Harbor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This cocktail is on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning that it has an “official” definition. To skirt the legal implications, IBA calls it the Dark ‘n’ Stormy, with two apostrophes instead of one. The ingredients in a Dark and Stormy cocktail are:
- Dark rum: Traditionally Goslings Black Seal Rum.
- Ginger beer:
- Lime (optional): The official definition of the Dark ‘N Stormy doesn’t have lime juice in the drink itself, but it’s garnished with lime. A lot of bartenders like to add a measured amount of lime to a Dark and Stormy to add some zip to the flavor, but I like using a lime wedge. Adding lime makes this drink even closer to a Moscow Mule.
Choosing the Best Rum
What type of dark rum to buy for a Dark and Stormy? Like with any drink, here’s my mantra: the better the liquor, the better the drink! I try to find a mid-price range rum, which is usually indicative of quality. Of course, if you want to be totally traditional: get Goslings Black Seal Rum.
The Best Ginger Beer for a Dark and Stormy
The ginger beer is what has most influence on the flavor of a Dark and Stormy cocktail: even more so than the rum! You’ll want to find a brand that’s sweetened just enough, and made with real ginger. Avoid ginger beer with artificial sweeteners and flavors. Here are our favorite ginger beer brands to buy:
- Q Ginger Beer: This is our top choice! It has great flavor and is made with real ginger. It comes in small cans so you don’t have to open a large bottle (this helps for making one or two drinks at once).
- Fever Tree Ginger Beer: Fever Tree also has great flavor and is our backup! It’s made with real ginger and has no artificial sweeteners.
- For more: Here’s a list of more top ginger beer brands, and use up leftovers with these Best Ginger Beer Cocktails.
How to Make a Dark and Stormy
You can make this classic drink right in the glass:
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour in the ginger beer.
- Float the rum on top. Pour it slowly over the back of a spoon. Rum is lighter than the ginger beer, so it will settle on top.
- Squeeze in a lime wedge. Then give it a gentle stir before sipping.
Pro tip: To get the layers in a Dark and Stormy, you start with the ginger beer in the glass, then top off with the rum. But make sure to stir before you drink it! Taking a sip of the layered drink will give you a hit of 100% rum: you won’t get the ginger beer flavor unless you stir.
Dark and Stormy vs. Moscow Mule
Yes and no! A Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail made with vodka and ginger beer. There are lots of famous variations on the mule, like the Mexican Mule and Kentucky Mule. But the Dark and Stormy isn’t technically a mule because of two key differences:
- It doesn’t include a measured amount of lime in the drink. Some recipes do, but the traditional definition of the drink only garnishes with lime.
- It’s served in a highball glass, not a copper mug. The copper mug is the traditional way to serve a mule, and it adds an icy cold sensation to each sip.
That said, many sources consider a Dark and Stormy cocktail a Moscow mule made with dark rum. We’ll let you decide!
When To Serve a Dark and Stormy Cocktail
The Dark and Stormy is bold, bubbly and refreshing. It’s perfect for sipping as a:
- Summer drink
- Happy hour drink
- Dinner party drink
- Late night drinks drink
- Guys or girls night drink
- Cocktail hour drink
Classic Dark and Stormy
Print Recipe
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
No reviews
Combine ginger beer and dark rum and you’ve got the Dark and Stormy! Here’s how to make this classic cocktail…in just 2 minutes.
- Author: Sonja Overhiser
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Poured
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 4 ounces (½ cup) ginger beer
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) dark rum, traditionally Gosling’s Black Seal rum
- 1 lime wedge
- Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice and pour in the ginger beer.
- Pour the rum on top. Squeeze in the lime wedge. Stir gently, then serve.
Did you love this recipe?
Get our free newsletter with all of our best recipes!