Dark and Stormy
The Dark and Stormy is a bold, refreshing highball cocktail that combines spicy, rich dark rum with fiery ginger beer and a splash of lime. This drink is as dramatic and invigorating as its name suggests—perfect for sipping on sultry evenings, at summer parties, or whenever you crave a taste of the tropics with a little edge.
- Dark rum60 ml (2 oz)Traditionally Gosling's Black Seal, but any good dark rum works
- Ginger beer120 ml (4 oz)Choose a spicy, robust ginger beer for the best flavor
- Fresh lime juice15 ml (0.5 oz)Optional, but adds a zesty brightness
- Ice1 servingEnough to fill your glass
- Highball glass
- Jigger
- Bar spoon (optional)
- Lime squeezer (optional)
- Ice scoop
Fill a highball glass with ice, packing it to the top.
Pour 2 oz of dark rum over the ice.
Add 0.5 oz fresh lime juice if desired.
Top with 4 oz of ginger beer, pouring gently to maintain carbonation.
Give the drink a gentle stir to combine (optional—some prefer the dramatic layering).
Garnish with a fresh lime wedge.
- Deliciously refreshing with a spicy kick
- Simple to make with just a few quality ingredients
- Perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tart flavors
- Evokes the romance of sailing and tropical adventures
- An iconic cocktail with a captivating story
The Dark and Stormy hails from Bermuda and is closely tied to Gosling's Black Seal Rum, which is considered the only authentic rum for this drink. Legend has it that British sailors, after settling in Bermuda, mixed the local dark rum with ginger beer—a common remedy for seasickness—and a classic was born. The name 'Dark and Stormy' supposedly came from a sailor who remarked that the drink looked like "the color of a cloud only a fool or a dead man would sail under." Today, it's the official drink of Bermuda and a staple of cocktail menus worldwide.
A fresh lime wedge, perched on the rim of the glass. The lime adds a pop of color and allows drinkers to squeeze extra juice for added zing.
Approximately 180 calories per serving. Carbohydrates primarily from ginger beer; low in fat and protein. Contains alcohol.