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Dark and Stormy

by:
December 17, 2021
5
1 Ratings
Photo by James Ransom
  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • Serves As many as you like
Author Notes

This is a cocktail easily made for one, or you can scale up at will. Feel free to make it boozier if you like—there are no rules. —Amanda Hesser

Test Kitchen Notes

It was a dark and stormy night...and the perfect time to make a classic dark and stormy. With a few simple ingredients, this drink comes together quickly and is a great way to enjoy ginger beer. If you're looking for some history about this cocktail, here's an article from Liquor.com that helps explain where it comes from:

"Its origin, like many drinks, is a bit hazy, though it’s likely that rum and ginger beer were first combined by sailors who enjoyed the obvious benefits of rum and the stomach-settling qualities of ginger. But its lineage can be traced squarely to an island in the Atlantic Ocean. Goslings Black Seal rum is a rich, flavorful rum from Bermuda, dating back to 1806. It features notes of caramel, vanilla and spice, and technically, it’s the only rum that can be used in a Dark ’n Stormy. The brand lays claim to the drink; in 1991, it successfully registered a trademark dictating that any drink titled Dark ’n Stormy must be made with Goslings rum. The company has even sued other beverage brands that have attempted to peddle the drink with other rums as its star. So, if you really want the full Dark ’n Stormy experience, make it with Goslings."

Commenters recommended a whole bunch of ginger beers to try, from Bundaberg to Cock-N-Bull and Reed's. Feel free to experiment with the different types to find your absolute favorite. It's a great reason to enjoy as many dark and stormies as you can. —The Editors

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Ingredients
  • 1 part dark rum
  • 2 parts ginger beer (whatever kind you like; we prefer Goslings)
  • Lime wedge, for garnish
Directions
  1. Fill a glass with ice, crushed or cubed.
  2. Fill the glass 1/3 full with the rum.
  3. Top with ginger beer and squeeze in some lime.
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See what other Food52ers are saying.

Recipe by: Amanda Hesser

Before starting Food52 with Merrill, I was a food writer and editor at the New York Times. I've written several books, including "Cooking for Mr. Latte" and "The Essential New York Times Cookbook." I played myself in "Julie & Julia" -- hope you didn't blink, or you may have missed the scene! I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Tad, and twins, Walker and Addison.

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15 Reviews

Write a Review
Katie O. June 15, 2014
Bundaberg ginger beer from Australia is excellent too! Really dark and gingery, perfect with a dark rum.
Chris F. October 15, 2019
The original dark and stormy was bundy rum and bundy ginger beer it was dreemed up by a coupleof rotary members at a party. Tthe founder of bundy brewed drinks is a rotary member. He was was at said party or so the story goes. We have some old ad posters for dark and stormy at home.
Linda March 14, 2014
We use Pusser's British navy rum, as we first drank these in the B.V.I. No lime, but a topping of freshly grated nutmeg. The hotel on Anegada served them up this way and we love them.
ChezUs February 27, 2014
This is one of my all time favorites, and we enjoy often. Just made a little how to video on it as well - now that is love.
rsimpson3 February 5, 2014
It's interesting to note that the Dark and Stormy is one of two mixed drinks (the other being the Bacardi Cocktail) for which liquor companies have gone to court and won their cases to specify the liquor used. In this case, Gosling has trademarked the name "Dark and Stormy" and require that it be made with Gosling Black Seal rum. I don't think much of either Bacardi light or Gosling Black Seal as rums, but for a Bacardi Cocktail and a Dark and Stormy it makes a huge difference in the drink.
Cookie16 February 2, 2014
Cock n' Bull ginger beer is fantastic and my all time favorite. Highly recommend this for the ultimate ginger kick. Look for it at BevMo!
Solitaire February 2, 2014
I've found it at Cost Plus/World Market also, and agree it's the best for this and other ginger beer cocktails - or even a all by itself, on the rocks with lime :)
rsimpson3 February 5, 2014
Thanks for reminding me of Cost Plus! The usual places I've bought Cock n' Bull now only sell Jamaican style ginger beers which overwhelm the rum.
Satyrborn63 December 5, 2013
Once you try Blenheim old #3 (hot) ginger ale, you will never settle for anything less!
Solitaire November 26, 2013
I love a nice Dark & Stormy. Can I ask, do you know where I can get that glass goblet you have in the photo? It's perfect for my bar!
Amanda H. November 26, 2013
I believe I bought the glass at ABC Home (in NYC). I'm sorry I don't have any more info on it, but glad you like it!
Solitaire November 26, 2013
Hi Amanda, thanks for taking the time to reply :)
I don't see it on their website, unfortunately for me.
Chris O. July 19, 2013
FWIW, it should be noted that ginger beer can vary greatly in flavor. Jamaican ginger beer (Reed's) is considerably more robust than Bermudan ginger beer (Gosling's, Regatta, etc.) Bermudan ginger beer is easily my favorite.
Amanda H. July 19, 2013
Very worth it! Thanks for weighing in.
Makie February 4, 2013
Non-beer drinkers at Super Bowl Sunday festivities, enjoyed the change from white wine or some other blended drink. I used Reed's Extra Ginger Beer. Would I serve it again? Well I still have that large handle of dark rum I was given...maybe I'll try it with homemade ginger ale on a hot summer's day.