Dark and Stormy
Thursday, April 24th, 2008
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An authentic Dark and Stormy made with Gosling’s rum and homemade ginger beer is the ideal prelude to summer, when the spring months are arriving like lions and one’s mind turns to thoughts of lambs.
The national drink of Bermuda, a true Dark and Stormy is never made with Jamaican ginger brew or weak ginger ale. Only the real stuff made in small batches will do, so try this recipe at home or seek out a case of Barritt’s or Blenheim if you can.
In a collins glass filled with ice, add:
2 oz Gosling’s Black Seal rum
5 oz ginger beer
Garnish with lime and serve immediately.
24 Apr 2008 at 9:59 AM 1. jason0x21
Have you tried Cruzan Black Strap Rum? It’s even darker and stronger than Black Seal. Stands up to Blenheim’s pretty well, but makes it a slow sipping drink.
24 Apr 2008 at 10:42 AM 2. Dan
I absolutely love a good Dark and Stormy. I like to add about half an ounce of lime juice to mine.
24 Apr 2008 at 11:22 AM 3. Jeffrey Morgenthaler
I actually do like the Cruzan Black Strap with ginger beer, Jason. Very dark. Very stormy.
And Dan, the big squeeze of fresh lime is essential. I wouldn’t even think of having a Dark and Stormy without it!
24 Apr 2008 at 11:55 AM 4. syoung68
How do you feel about the Bundaberg Ginger Beer. It is the only one I can find locally on a regular basis that has enough bite for me.
I do make ginger syrup for cocktails, and I have always wanted to experiment making my own ginger beer, but wanted to let it ferment naturally. After Googling it I just got frustrated reading about starters and such.
But WAIT, now I have your recipe and your method sounds much easier. Thanks for the yeast resource
25 Apr 2008 at 6:10 AM 5. Kelsey Crenshaw
My family’s from Birmingham, Al…I really Like Buffalo Rock Gingerale…it is so spicy you swear there was a ginger farm in the container…it’s been around for like 100 years….if you can find it try it. This website is one of the best out there, Mr. Morganthaler you have stollen my heart…
25 Apr 2008 at 8:24 PM 6. Marc @ NoRecipes
I’ve never had homemade ginger beer. Gonna have to give this one a try.
25 Apr 2008 at 10:20 PM 7. Mike S.
I think Bundaberg (“The Bunda from Down Unda”) is excellent. My favorite of the commercially-available ginger beers.
Cheers!
26 Apr 2008 at 11:53 AM 8. Jeffrey Morgenthaler
I haven’t had the opportunity to try Bundaberg. Anyone want to send me a sample?
Jeff
30 Apr 2008 at 9:52 PM 9. Mike S.
Beverages & More in CA carries it, and I think they’ll ship — http://www.bevmo.com.
Cheers!
30 Apr 2008 at 9:55 PM 10. Jeffrey Morgenthaler
Sheesh, Mike, I was trying to score some free samples. But I guess I’ll go shopping for yet more cocktail ingredients.
Thanks a lot!
Jeff
02 May 2008 at 8:06 PM 11. dave
My favorite Ginger Beer is Regatta, it’s nice and spicey but has a real mellow finish, even a little citrusy, it’s a Bermuda Ginger Beer so makes a great Dark and Stormy. I usually drink with Gosling’s but but Mt Gay and the dark Tommy Bahama Rum work great.
03 May 2008 at 11:25 AM 12. Ouroboros
I’ve not had the Blenheim for years. Thanks for reminding me that I must order a case!
17 Jun 2008 at 6:46 AM 13. Marcus
do you take the photos of your drinks? the photo up the top there is a beautiful shot of a dark n stormy! i’m off out to buy some black seal today because of it…
17 Jun 2008 at 10:03 AM 14. Jeffrey Morgenthaler
Marcus – Yes, I’m taking all the photos for my site now, and thank you. I was really happy with the way that one turned out.
Mike S. – Picked up some Bundaberg this weekend at Cost Plus and you’re right – it is excellent stuff.
17 Jun 2008 at 6:52 PM 15. Marcus
Gosling’s should buy the picture to use on their site because their’s looks rubbish.
Well I can’t even get the black seal from my local wine merchant. They do 24 other types of Caribbean rum! Bah… I looked online and found http://www.blackseal.co.uk though so I’ll buy a bottle there I think.
Can’t get Barritt’s either by the way (though I’m going to try your recipe first I reckon!). The site reccomends “Old Jamaican” Ginger Beer. I’ve tasted the difference between this one and supermarket stuff. It is a hell of a lot better.
Seriously! Bermuda is a “British overseas territory”… And we can’t even get their beer.
(Actually I just found this one too: http://www.thedrinkshop.com/products/nlpdetail.php?prodid=2745
What is the overproof version like? Would be fun to have it flaming aswell, haha!)
19 Nov 2008 at 5:31 PM 16. Corey
Really looking forward to trying the ginger beer recipe. Any idea if this method is applicable to other sparkling beverages? Sparkling fruit juices, per chance?
21 Nov 2008 at 10:31 AM 17. Jeffrey Morgenthaler
Yes, this method does work well with other types of sparkling beverages.
14 Jan 2009 at 9:20 AM 18. Laura
Is this drink also known as a Stormy Sailor? A friend that sails one of the #1 rules is to keep the Captain supplied with Stormy Sailors. She said it is rum and ginger beer. This is the only drink I have found close to that description on the internet.
14 Jan 2009 at 11:31 AM 19. Jeffrey Morgenthaler
Laura – As I’ve never heard of rum and ginger beer referred to as a “Stormy Sailor” I’m going to guess that your friend is one of the very few people that uses that particular name. The rest of us just call it a good old fashioned Dark and Stormy.
14 Jan 2009 at 11:45 AM 20. Laura
Jeff,Thank you for your quick reply. She may have heard it called that in her sailing circles. Especially since the ginger is good for any landlubbers that may be nausea.
21 May 2009 at 2:25 PM 21. Janet
What about using Whaler’s Original Dark Rum? Anyone tried that? I saw it at Trader Joe’s for $10….
20 Sep 2010 at 1:04 AM 22. Peter S
You missed the essential part of a Dark and Stormy: adding the Gosling’s last! It creates the look of a dark cloud that settles into the drink, hence the name. You can mix it together after you serve it, but I say presentation matters. I know that’s how it’s done in Bermuda because I went there a year ago and Gosling’s marketing director and Maxwell Gosling, heir to the company, came to my hotel for a rum tasting and they showed how to make the drink.
20 Feb 2011 at 1:05 AM 23. oversea
Thanks for this simple and tasty recipe here Jeffrey! Made it about ten times now and i absolutely fell in love with it. Ginger Beer is hard to get here in germany so i am very thankful !
Many of Your ideas are a true inspiration to me.
Greetings from germany