Dark 'N' Stormy
Fiery ginger and dark rum meet in a glass where the rum hangs on top like a small thundercloud.
Ingredients
- Dark rum, dark and rich in molassese.g. Goslings Black Seal60 ml
- Lime juice, freshly squeezed15 ml
- Ginger beer, Gosling's, Fever-Tree or your own favourite120 ml
- Aromatic bitters (Angostura), adds complexity alongside the ginger (optional)2 dashes
- Lime, to garnish (optional)1 wedge
Method
- Fill a highball glass well with ice cubes.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice straight into the glass.
- Top up with ginger beer, leaving room for the rum on top.
- Pour the dark rum slowly over the back of a bar spoon so it settles in a layer above the ginger beer.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and serve at once; stir gently before drinking if you want the flavours blended.
About this drink
The Dark 'N' Stormy was born in Bermuda after the First World War, when sailors began mixing their spicy ginger beer with the island's dark rum from Gosling's. The name is still a registered trademark, so strictly speaking only drinks made with Black Seal rum may carry it in some markets. Its charm lies in the contrast: sharp ginger heat against the rum's deep molasses sweetness, built straight in the glass.
Questions and answers
Do you need a particular rum for a Dark 'N' Stormy?
Traditionally Gosling's Black Seal, whose producer actually holds the trademark on the name, but any dark, molasses-rich rum makes a good drink. The style matters more than the brand.
Why is the rum floated on top rather than mixed in?
It gives the signature stormy look, with dark rum drifting like clouds over the pale ginger beer, and an extra hint of rum in the first sip. Stir the drink if you prefer it even.
