Dark & Stormy Day occurred on June 8th.
According to cocktail lore, the Dark & Stormy was invented in the early 1920s on the sun-kissed coasts of island Bermuda, shipwreck capital of the world, when a British naval officer mixed Goslings Blackstrap rum with ginger beer. Like many early cocktails, it was intended to be a remedy for some sort of ailment. In the case of the Dark & Stormy, it was originally given to sailors who were suffering with seasickness.
There is no proof weather it worked or not. In further exploring fueling its oceanic legacy, the cocktail supposedly got its name when a fisherman compared the hue of the drink to a “color of a cloud only a fool or dead man would sail under,” according to Goslings Rum Company.
This supposed remedy for seasickness spread among the land-faring communities and sparked curiosity. It was no longer just a beverage for chopping waters. For most of the century, it became a staple on cocktail menus around the world, especially on Caribbean resorts, on cruises, and during the summer months.
The tradition was to layer the Goslings Blackstrap Rum on top of the cocktail to watch the storm clouds of rums swirl around inside the glass. Today, it is hard to find a Dark & Stormy prepared this way. Goslings Black Seal rum and Barritt’s Ginger Beer were the original combination, and unlike most cocktails, this matters. Today, Goslings produces their own Ginger Beer.
Dark rum and ginger are the two key ingredients, but many add a dash or splash of lime for citrus or zip. Please note that ginger ale is not sub for ginger beer. It’s fresh and vibrant with the sweet and warming spice interplay with the thick, vanilla, butterscotch, caramelly rum. Such a clear tropical flavor that will transport you to tropical paradise. The rum provides buttery richness, flavors of molasses, toasted sugar and, depending on your rum of choice, gorgeous spice.
Did you know? The Moscow Mule cocktail is its cousin – made with vodka instead of rum and without the float.
An important question to consider – Does a Dark & Stormy have to be made with Goslings rum or can you substitute for another rum? In 1980, Goslings trademarked the name “Dark & Stormy. You can, of course, make it by using different rums, like white, gold, or spiced and playing around with ingredients, but, if you do, Goslings asks for it to be sold under a different name. You can stray from tradition and make it with any dark rum if you don’t have Goslings without any harsh penalty from the cocktail gods.
Below you will find the original Dark & Stormy recipe along with variations of it mixed up by your friendly, neighborhood liquid chef. Remember, your feedback is always welcome Enjoy!
Cheers,
Michael
Dark & Stormy
2 oz Goslings Black Seal rum
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
Fill with a quality ginger beer or Goslings (about 5 oz)
Garnish – lime wheel
Prep – Build all ingredients in an ice-filled large rocks glass. Add garnish. Stir well! Alternate – build all ingredients, except rum, two fingers from rim. Float rum on top by pouring around the rim, then garnish lime wheel.
Dark & Stormy Espresso
With all the Espresso Martini rage and coffee being a versatile and intense taste, try this version. While the original has a kick, this cocktail takes it one step further with warm spice and bitter, earthy espresso livening up the cocktail.
1.5 oz Ron Abuelo Centuria dark rum or Kraken dark rum
1 oz or shot fresh espresso or strong coffee
3 oz ginger beer
1/2 oz fresh lime juice (optional)
Garnish – lime wheel or three coffee/espresso beans
Prep – Pour your ingredients into your rocks glass in layers. Dark rum first over ice, then ginger beer, and then slowly pour in the freshly chilled brewed coffee.
Stormy Weather
Wine, particularly Shiraz, works surprisingly well in the Dark & Stormy because of the natural spice, pepper, and sweet red fruits. Shiraz complements the ginger to create a rich, fruity and vibrant cocktail.
1.5 oz Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva dark rum or other rum
1.5 oz Australian Shiraz wine
1 oz ginger beer, to top
1/2 oz sugar/simple syrup
1/4 oz fresh lime juice (optional)
Prep – Build all ingredients in a mixing glass with half ice. Shake well with mixing tin. Strain into ice-filled tulip glass. Top with ginger beer. Garnish orange slices and/or cinnamon stick.
Rum & Ginger
1.5 oz Appleton Estate 15-yr old dark rum
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1 tsp passion fruit puree
1 dash Angostura bitters
Quality ginger ale, to top
Prep – Build all ingredients in a mixing glass with half ice. Shake well with mixing tin. Strain into ice-filled collins glass. Top with ginger ale. Garnish lime wedge.