A Dark and Stormy cocktail is definitely not for the faint of heart! It’s a spicy, heartwarming cocktail that is sure to turn up the heat!

Ginger beer is not the same drink as ginger ale, it is much spicier. So mixed with dark rum, it’s a drink that’s sure to warm you up, whether after a sleigh ride… or sail over stormy seas!

What Is A Dark And Stormy?

The Dark and Stormy drink originated in Bermuda and is the official drink there. It’s a lot like a Moscow Mule, but the dark rum is what differentiates it.

Just two ingredients (three if you count the garnish) make this the perfect drink recipe when you want an adventurous cocktail that’s super easy to make!

Dark – this portion of the drink’s name refers to the dark rum that is added.
Stormy – refers to ginger beer, which has a cloudy look to it.

Layered over ice, it’s a very cool looking drink that’s also really tasty!

The Best Rum For Dark and Stormy Drink

There is no contest for which rum to use with this drink. There is really only one rum for a classic Dark and Stormy, and that is Gosling’s Black Seal (this is in the original), with its detailed flavorings that are really what make this one of a kind cocktail!

Don’t have Gosling’s Black Seal? While it won’t technically be a Dark and Stormy cocktail you can always use a dark rum that you have on hand for a similar effect. Just remember with only two ingredients you are really going to taste the quality of the rum used in this drink.

The Best Ginger Beer For Dark and Stormy

Gosling’s also makes a ginger beer for this cocktail, but the original Dark and Stormy had Barritt’s in it. I use Fever Tree as it’s what I most often have on hand. You can take your pick, Barritt’s is non-alcoholic while Gosling’s is around 5%, for a stronger drink.

Some others include:

Bundaberg for versatility
Goya Jamaican Style Ginger Beer is super spicy
Parker’s is mild
Spindrift for a fresh taste!

How To Layer Drinks

It’s just a case of using gravity to your benefit! The denser liquid naturally wants to sit at the bottom of the glass. So follow these three simple steps to create your own beautifully layered drink!

Pour the liquid that’s got the most sugar content first. In this case, it’s going to be the ginger beer.
Turn a spoon upside down over the ginger beer, but make sure the spoon is almost, but not quite touching it.
Slowly pour rum over the spoon. A bar spoon is ideal for this technique if you have one. If not, a regular teaspoon will do the job just fine!

Or, for ease just aim the rum at a larger ice cube! If you’re careful enough you should be able to layer a cocktail by pouring the less dense liquid very slowly over an ice cube.

Enjoy this drink, but slowly, it’s a powerful one! Avast, me hearties!

Must-Try Cocktails

Kir Royale Cocktail – just 2 ingredients!
White Russian Cocktail – beautifully layered!
Lemon Drop Martini – sweet, citrusy drink
French 75 – fresh & zesty cocktail
Cozy Hot Toddy – warm you up from the inside out!

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

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