Escape to Bermuda with Dark and Stormy Cocktails Straight Up Cocktails

Whether you're catching some rays at a beach-side getaway, or enjoying a relaxing "staycation" at home, nothing beats the August heat like a tall, cool Dark and Stormy.

And, best of all, the national drink of Bermuda is almost as easy to make as it is to sip.

A simple highball-style cocktail, the Dark and Stormy is made with one part dark rum to four parts ginger beer. The smooth, rich warmth of the rum pairs beautifully with the spicy-sweet snap of the ginger beer, and everything takes on a refreshing chill when topped up with ice.

If you want a truly authentic taste, use Gosling's Black Seal rum and Barritts ginger beer. Both brands are local to Bermuda and purists swear by them. (In fact, many will say that a drink made any other way is not a Dark and Stormy.) But authentic or not, any good-quality dark rum and any spicy, zippy ginger beer will make for a very tasty drink.

Dark and Stormy
makes one cocktail

2 ounces dark rum
8 ounces ginger beer

Combine rum and ginger beer in a highball glass and stir gently. Add ice cubes and garnish with a lime wedge.

Have you ever made Dark and Stormies? Which dark rum or ginger beer brands are your favorites? Let us know!

Related: Recipe: Bermudian Rum Cake

(Image: Nora Maynard)

-Nora

Comments (8)

The first time I had this, friends brought their own homemade ginger beer to make it. This encourages me to try it at home with a bottle of ginger beer.

By far the Gosling's and Barritt's is the only real way to make a Dark and Stormy. You can sub in other rums or ginger beers if you have to, but if you can avoid it then it's better. Better to sub the ginger beer rather than the Gosling's though, as it's a rather unique rum I think. This is one of my favorite cocktails, great for by the water during the evening.

This sounds like an amazing drink. I wish someone would bring one to my cubicle right now!

Made this tonight after reading about it here...definite thumbs up. Now I feel like I need to go to Bermuda.

I like it with Goslings Rum but have always had it as a winter drink..... But this may change my mind. May have to try one on the patio tonight!

These are terrible instructions:

"Combine rum and ginger beer in a highball glass and stir gently. Add ice cubes and garnish with a lime wedge."

Never make any drink like this, especially a Dark & Stormy.

Fill a glass with ice. Pour liquor over ice. Add mixer. Add garnish. Serve.

I've recently been introduced to a drink involving a bourbon whiskey and ginger beer, and I can't get enough of it! Definitely my new favorite drink!

my favorite Dark and Stormy is Goslings Black Seal, and Saranac Ginger Beer. Saranac is from upstate NY, and it makes for a very smooth dark and stormy...