Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Dark and Stormy Cocktail

Dark and Stormy Cocktail

Perfect for the hot and thirsty

The Dark and Stormy is a refreshing mix of dark rum and ginger beer (the latter is a nonalcoholic carbonated soft drink similar to root beer — but spicier and more grown up, IMO). This cocktail originated in Bermuda, created by the makers of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum (more about that in the Notes.)

In the US, the Dark and Stormy is primarily a summer cocktail. It’s a tall cool one with terrific flavor. Carbonation gives it the refreshing and easy-to-drink quality of beer, while dark rum adds just the right amount of oomph. Add a squeeze or two of (optional) lime, and you’ve got a perfect picnic cooler.

With Father’s Day coming up this weekend in the US, lots of people are planning cookouts and barbecues. Why not add the Dark and Stormy to your menu? Despite the name, it’s a fun drink that will make your guests feel bright and sunny. Guaranteed!


Dark and Stormy Cocktail

Recipe:  The Dark and Stormy Cocktail

If you’re in a hurry, you can pour this drink by eye, with no measuring:  Just put ice in a glass (preferably a highball glass — one that holds about 9 ounces or so), add dark rum, and top up with ginger beer.  Then add a squeeze or two of lime if you like (not traditional, but tasty).

That procedure makes a good drink.  But you’ll get better results if you measure the ingredients (creating a more balanced blending of rum and ginger beer).  Most recipes call for either 2 parts dark rum to 3 parts ginger beer, or 2 parts rum to 4 parts ginger beer.  I prefer the 2:4 ratio (it’s really a 1:2 ratio, but you know what I mean).  Different brands of rum (and ginger beer) do drink a bit differently, however, so some experimentation is in order.

I recommend using Gosling’s Black Seal rum (it’s traditional and widely available) and Gosling’s ginger beer.  But there are lots of other brands out there, so (again) feel free to experiment.

This recipe makes 1 drink, and takes a couple of minutes to prepare.

Ingredients
  • 2 ounces Gosling’s Black Seal rum (see Notes)
  • 4 ounces ginger beer
  • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice (optional and not traditional, but exceptionally tasty)
  • slice of lime for garnish (optional)
Procedure
  1. Fill a highball or rocks glass with ice (you want to use a glass that holds about 9 ounces or so).
  2. Add the rum, ginger beer, and lime juice to the glass (see Notes for variations).  Add a pair of straws, optional lime slice garnish, and serve.
Dark and Stormy Cocktail

Notes
  • The makers of Gosling’s Black Seal rum have trademarked the name “Dark ‘n Stormy.” Yes, really! So by law bars have to use Gosling’s if they serve a drink by that name. For more information, see this 2009 article from the New York Times: The Right Stuff (by Law)
  • But, hey, you’re making this at home. So feel free to mix it anyway you like (and call it a “Cute ‘n Fuzzy” if you want). Gosling’s dark rum and ginger beer do work great in this drink, but there are other good brands available. For instance, I haven’t tried Barritt’s ginger beer in this drink (it’s also from Bermuda), but it’s supposed to be sensational. 
  • Amanda and Scotty at the blog Chew Town swear by Kraken black spiced rum and Bundaberg ginger beer. And since Scotty is obsessed with the Dark and Stormy, his opinion is worth considering, I’d say. 
  • I’ve seen recipes that specify a couple ounces of dark rum with 5 to 8 ounces of ginger beer. Way too much ginger beer, IMO! Plus ginger beer can be more caloric than regular beer, so you don’t want to overdo it. 
  • I sometimes add the lime juice and ginger beer to the glass, and then gently pour the rum on top. That way, I get a nice dark “cloud” of rum that sorta floats on top, though it quickly blends into the ginger beer. 
  • Like root beer, ginger beer can be made at home. I haven’t gotten around to it yet (I will, someday). But in the meantime, if you’re interested, take a look at Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s recipe
  • You can also make an alcoholic version of ginger beer. In most US states, it’s legal to make limited quantities of beer or wine for personal consumption. But it’s a no-no everywhere in the US to distill your own dark rum (or any other spirit). Sorry about that. (And BTW, never rely on Kitchen Riffs for legal advice! We’re food bloggers, not legal experts. Check your local laws before you try any brewing or bottling.)  
Dark and Stormy Cocktail

It’s an Even-Numbered Day on Some Planet

Mrs. Kitchen Riffs took a long sip of her Dark and Stormy.  “Such a great drink!” she enthused.  “Wonderful flavor, and so refreshing.”

“It is,” I said.  “Some people call it Bermuda’s national drink!”

“But last year you said the Bermuda Rum Swizzle had that distinction!” said Mrs K R. “How can the same place have two national drinks?”

“Beats me,” I said. “Especially since Bermuda is pretty small — you’d think one would do the job.”

“Well, it’s a fun place to visit,” said Mrs K R.  “So maybe they need two different national drinks just to keep the party going.”

“Right!” I agreed.  “Maybe on even-numbered days, the Dark and Stormy is the national drink.”

“And on odd-numbered days, it’s the Bermuda Rum Swizzle!” added Mrs K R.  “Brilliant solution!”

We clinked our glasses to celebrate.  Then I made us another round.

It was an even-numbered day, after all.

You may also enjoy reading about:
Cocktail Basics
Bermuda Rum Swizzle
Hurricane Cocktail
Mojito Cocktail
Gin and Tonic
Mai Tai
Classic Daiquiri
Pimm's Cup
Gimlet Cocktail
Piña Colada
Singapore Sling Cocktail
The Zombie
Planter's Punch
Margarita

68 comments:

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

I've always wanted to try ginger beer and never knew that it wasn't alcoholic. But dark and stormy... Sounds so romantic to me. Wish I was in Bermuda.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, I believe you can find alcoholic ginger beers, but most aren't. This is a fun drink - definitely worth trying. Thanks for the comment.

wok with ray said...

This is a gorgeous presentation of the drink. Looks like a delicious cocktail. Thank you, John! :)

Kiran @ KiranTarun.com said...

OMG! Your cocktail photographs are magazine worthy. Really beautiful :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ray, this is really tasty! It's become one of my hot weather favorites. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kiran, thanks for the kind words, and comment!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

It does remind me of a storm... a delicious storm ;)

Cheers
CCU

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Uru, it's a most delicious storm! And trust me, after one of these you really will be bright and sunny. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

ChgoJohn said...

Now that is one good-looking cocktail, John. Your photos are simply wonderful. This is one cocktail I would really enjoy and would be perfect for a backyard party or barbecue. I need to shop for some ginger beer. Another item for my bar supplies list.
Your title gave me a smile. Are you familiar with the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest? It awards a prize -- "a pittance" -- to what the judges consider to be the worst opening sentence submitted. The winners are announced in mid-Summer and are always good for a laugh.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi John, I do indeed know the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest - it's a total hoot! This is a great cocktail for a backyard BBQ. We enjoy it so much we just bought some more ginger beer today - don't want to come up short! Thanks for the comment.

Cathleen said...

Ah yes. It's summer, so the drinks are coming out! This looks like the perfect drink to sip by the pool. Yum!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Cathleen, summer drinks are fun, aren't they? ;-) And this is a wonderful pool drink! Thanks for the comment.

Hotly Spiced said...

That looks gorgeous and I love how you photographed it. Your ice cubes are even perfect. Mine don't look like that. I think I need new ice trays. I love a drink with ginger beer but sadly, I can't have any alcohol at the moment as I'm on Flagyl - the worst of the antibiotics when it comes to mixing with alcohol. xx

Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen said...

Just gorgeous! My dad would love this :)

motherrimmy said...

Cost Plus sells a ginger beer that's fantastic. I bet it would be terrific in this drink.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Charlie, I actually used acrylic ice cubes for this shoot so they wouldn't melt! You can buy them on Amazon. I also have some silicone ice cube trays that make square ice cubes - very cool! Too bad about the antibiotic but it won't be forever. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kristi, isn't it a pretty drink? And I'll bet your dad would indeed love one! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kristi, I haven't had that, but I'll bet it would be good! Ginger beer has a nice flavor - I've never had one I didn't enjoy. Thanks for the comment.

Barb Bamber | Just a Smidgen said...

For some reason we always have a bottle of dark rum at the lake.. I need to try this one for Father's Day, I know Dave would love it!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Barb, it's a great drink - extremely refreshing. Have fun with it! Thanks for the comment.

Food For Feast said...

Right, ginger beer on shopping list this week. Must try this now especially as it's sitting around the pool weather here now.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

I love th ename of that cocktail! Very masculine.

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous said...

I've never seen Goslings rum (we tend to drink Ron Matusalem in our house) but this cocktail sounds delicious!!!! I love any rum cocktails with lime. Definitely trying this one. Thanks for the recipe John!!

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

This looks so perfect for hot weather and BBQ's...I'd love to try this one!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Food for Feast, this is a perfect pool drink! Good flavor, highly relaxing, and quite cooling. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rosa, it's a great drink! I never thought of the name that way, but that makes tons of sense. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, I'm surprised Gosling's isn't more available in Australia - I believe this drink is actually fairly popular there. I don't know that rum, but I've never met a dark rum I didn't like! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, it's a great drink! And a real refreshing one in hot weather - perfect for BBQ! Thanks for the comment.

Helene Dsouza said...

Pretty pictures, love your photography John, both the dark and light version. I have never heard of a cocktail called the dark and stormy. hm need to show it to my husband. I ll have to find out how to get ginger beer, I better ask my husband. ^.^

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Helene, this isn't a cocktail most people have had, but once they taste it, they'll have it again! Do source some ginger beer - you won't be sorry! Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

As a ginger addict, this is one of my fave cocktails. It doesn't even have to be dark and stormy out for me to enjoy it. ;)

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I love the ombre effect of this cocktail...sounds perfectly refreshing, too!

Laura Dembowski said...

I have heard so much about dark and stormy, but never had one. It sounds great. I also had no idea ginger beer isn't actually beer. Learn something new everyday :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, isn't this a tremendous cocktail? Ginger beer has wonderful flavor, and dark rum is delish too! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, it's a really pretty and fun cocktail. ;-) And quite refreshing! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, it's really worth trying this. Ginger beer has nice flavor, and the entire drink is so tasty. Thanks for the comment.

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

John, are you willing to do a tutorial for how to take drink shot? No one can beat you for a perfect drink photography. I'm so curious your technique and secrets. ;) I'm thirsty looking at it. Your photo is WORKING!

~~louise~~ said...

I must say, John, you couldn't have posted this enticing cocktail on a more fitting day. Here in the East it is indeed a Dark and Stormy Day. However, since I have been to the gorgeous island of Bermuda, it will be as easy as pie to imagine that I am there sipping such deliciousness.

Thank you so much for sharing...

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Nami, glad you're thirsty! I hadn't thought about doing a tutorial, but I'll give it some consideration. Most of what I do is light from behind and block out any other light so I don't get unwanted reflections. The book, Light, Science, and Magic is a wonderful resource - but it's somewhat technical and not at all food related. But light is light and photography is photography, so once you understand the principles, you can apply them to anything. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Louise, I've been reading that you're getting some really heavy weather today! Hope everything is OK where you are. And this is a fun drink to contemplate, even if you can't drink it. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Suborna said...

Picture perfect cocktail ! Insanely seductive ! I almost had a heart attack seeing the first picture !

Coffee and Crumpets said...

I love the name and it's a beautiful colour! That's pretty much all I can say because I can't drink it!! I am sure it's very good and if I was a drinker, I would probably enjoy it because I like ginger beer.

Nazneen

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Suborna, I certainly don't want to cause a heart attack! Although this drink is, as you say, insanely seductive. Certainly worth a mild heart palpitation. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Nazneen, I do realize not everyone is a drinker and won't be able to sample these cocktails. I rarely had a cocktail myself until a few years ago. I got interested in them because Eric Felten wrote a wonderful column in a newspaper, and until I read him I didn't realize how much cocktail history and lore there was. It was that, and not the flavor of the drinks, that got me interested in tasting them. Of course once I did taste them there was no turning back! Thanks for the comment.

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

I love the name of this drink. Sounds refreshing. Love your pictures.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, isn't this a fun drink? It really is extremely refreshing! Thanks for your kind words, and comment.

Maureen | Orgasmic Chef said...

Boy did I need this drink this week. It's been dark and stormy and I've had to much to do that I could have used one or ten of these.

How pretty :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Maureen, this drink is sure to brighten up your day! But ten? Better wear sunglasses! ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Suzanne Perazzini said...

I have been drinking rum and coke for many years but have never thought of using ginger beer instead. I often drink ginger beer and yet it never occurred to me. The drink looks so lovely and the name is great. My perfect cocktail!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Suzanne, I was thinking of your love for rum when I was writing this post, and thought this drink might be one you'd enjoy. I think you'll love it! Thanks for the comment.

Bam's Kitchen said...

Fantastic presentation. I love the bubbles in the icecubes and in the the glass and the cloudy part of the lemon juice that separates from the run and ginger beer. Beautiful.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bam! It' a totally fun drink — I think you'd enjoy it! Thanks for the comment.

Purabi Naha | Cosmopolitan Currymania said...

Bermuda's national drink is amazing! This drink has a great combination of rum, beer and lime. Looks wonderful! :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Purabi, isn't this nice? I love dark rum, and it really shines in this drink. Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

Oh I love the combination of rum and ginger but I've never had this specific cocktail. The local coop sells a delicious ginger beer so it looks like I'll be picking a pack this week. Love this cocktail! Thanks for another choice to kill this heat we're experiencing down here.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, it's gotten pretty hot here, too. So Mrs K R and I have been drinking a few of these. ;-) It's really delish - I think you'll like it! Thanks for the comment.

Terra said...

I had to just ask hubby if he has had ginger beer, we both don't think we have. So we decided we need to find some for sure! I love the idea of rum with the ginger beer, the spices mixed together on the palette must be lovely! Thank you for sharing, Take care, Terra

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Terra, ginger beer has a nice, spicy flavor. It's great in this drink, and so nice for hot weather (and BBQ!). Thanks for the comment.

Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today said...

Do you know that for a long time I had no idea what a root beer is, we don't drink it in Poland. But I definitely should have it in drink ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marta, when I was a kid root beer was one of my favorite flavors of soda! And I still like it, although ginger beer is really more interesting. And excellent in this drink! Thanks for the comment.

Amelia said...

Hi John, I'm very impressed with your photography skill. Those pictures are really excellent, very professional.

The drink look awesome and very refreshing. Perfect for our current hot and humid weather plus the heavy haze. Thanks for sharing the recipe and useful notes.

Have a nice Sunday, regards.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amelia, it's a wonderful drink, and so refreshing in hot weather! Thanks for the kind words, and comment.

Kim Bee said...

Oh man this is just stunning. It's actually dark and stormy here today so I can just picture myself sitting on a covered deck sipping away. I've never seen any one take better drink photos than you. You just capture them beautifully, without all the glare. It's wonderful.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kim, this is a totally awesome drink! And if you skip the rum (which admittedly is skipping a lot), this is a drink you can have - just combine the ginger beer and lime juice. Thanks for the kind words, and comment.

Amanda@ChewTown said...

Love your Dark and Stormy post - and thanks for the Chew Town mention! Scotty was totally stoked.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amanda, it's a great cocktail, isn't it? Happy to mention Chew Town - your post was loads of fun! Thanks for the comment.

Anonymous said...

Anyone have a appetizer or hos D'Oeuvres they can suggest for pairing?

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anonymous, loads of choice, but you might want to try Crab Rangoon or Cheese Straws. Thanks for the comment.