Easy Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Nicky Corbishley

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This Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail looks impressive and tastes amazing! Just 3 ingredients and a glass full of ice is needed for this spicy refreshing co*cktail!

I'll show you how to get that separation layering that makes this drink look so pretty.

This drink is simply the best co*cktail ever! Fantastic for sunny BBQ Weekends.

Did I ever tell you how much I love this Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail?

I think I've mentioned it once or twice.

My old school buddy Helen introduced me to this spicy refreshing co*cktail a few years ago, and now I have to order it every time we go out for a couple of drinks.

Jump to:
  • What Ingredients do we need?
  • How to make it
  • Video
  • Food to go with that co*cktail
  • Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail
  • More Delicious co*cktails
  • 💬 Reviews

What Ingredients do we need?

This is a super simple 3 ingredient (well 4 if you include the ice) co*cktail. So you need:

  • Ginger Beer
  • Lime
  • Spiced Rum

Which rum is best to use?

You want to use a spiced rum for the perfect dark and stormy. I recommend:

  • Goslings Black Seal Rum - this is the official recognised rum used in a Dark 'n' Stormy
  • Kraken Spiced Rum - This one is my absolute favourite rum.
  • Captain Morgan's spiced rum - this is a pretty good replacement, but i'd always look for the Kraken or Goslings rum first.

Personally, I think Kraken spiced rum is the absolute best rum to use (no I'm not getting paid to say that :-)). It's an aromatic, rich and spicy spirit - and coming from someone who usually can't stand the taste the smell of rum, this stuff is amazing!

Notes on ginger beer:

The ginger beers that work best for this co*cktail are:

  • John Crabbies non-alcoholic cloudy ginger beer
  • Belvoir Organic Ginger Beer
  • Fever-Tree Ginger Beer
  • Fentimans Ginger Beer
  • Old Jamaica

I like a cloudy, spicy ginger beer to go with it. John Crabbies (non-alcoholic) is great. I used to use Old Jamaica - but unfortunately, they started adding sweeteners to the non-diet version and I don't like the taste anymore.

How to make it

First, fill your glasses with ice and top with ginger beer - leaving a good inch of space at the top.

Squeeze the juice of half a lime into each glass:

Slowly pour the spiced rum over the back of a spoon. Ensure the end of the spoon is just touching the top of the ginger beer. This should give you a nice separation between the layers.

Garnish with a slice of lime and serve. So good on a hot sunny day (check out Chris gulping it down like a dehydrated fish (fish? - don't know where I got that from, but you know what I mean) at the end of the video).

A note on the straws

These photos were taken 3 years ago, before we switched to more environmentally friendly straws. We now use (these are affiliate links):

My vice is definitely 🍫chocolate🍫. The co*cktails are saved for nights out with Chris (we try to get a date night every few weeks or so), and also sunny Sundays with the BBQ sizzling away. This co*cktail is pretty strong, so I can only manage a couple before I start getting giddy (I am a bit of a lightweight though).

I've also been known to pour in some regular alcoholic Crabbies (double booze - very naughty). I just realised that I'm starting to sound like a bit of a booze-head, but actually I'm generally not much of a drinker.

Video

Check the full video on how to make my favourite co*cktail:

Easy Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail Recipe (7)

Food to go with that co*cktail

If you are looking for some food that goes well with a co*cktail, like this dark 'n' stormy, then Chirs and I absolutley LOVE co*cktails with BBQ food. So how about some of these BBQ favourites:

  • Greek Lamb Souvlaki Kebabs
  • Peri Peri Chicken
  • BBQ Sticky Slow-Cooked Ribs
  • Chicken satay with peanut chilli sauce
  • Mexican Chicken Skewers with Picante Salsa

I have also been know to enjoy one (or two) of these with a nice spicy curry 😉

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Cheers! Here's to more sunny BBQ days and date nights!

Easy Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail Recipe (8)

Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail

By: Nicky Corbishley

Just 3 ingredients and a glass full of ice is needed for this spicy refreshing Dark and Stormy co*cktail!

4.84 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American, Bermuda, British

Servings 2 Servings

Calories 183 kcal

Ingredients

  • ice
  • 240 ml (1 cup) spicy ginger beer - - I like John Crabbies cloudy Ginger Beer
  • juice of one lime
  • lime slices
  • 120 ml (½ cup) spiced rum - - I like 'The Kraken' Spiced rum

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Fill two 12 oz mason jars with ice.

    ice

    Easy Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail Recipe (9)

  • Add the ginger beer, lime juice and a slice of lime to each glass.

    240 ml (1 cup) spicy ginger beer, juice of one lime, lime slices

    Easy Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail Recipe (10)

  • Very carefully and slowly pour the spiced rum on top - so it stays in a separate layer. You can do this over the back of a spoon for a more defined separate layer.

    120 ml (½ cup) spiced rum

    Easy Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail Recipe (11)

  • Add a straw and a slice of lime to the top of the glass then serve!

    lime slices

    Easy Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail Recipe (12)

Video

Easy Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail Recipe (13)

✎ Notes

Tips for swapping out the ginger beer or rum:

I use John Crabbies cloudy ginger beer and Kraken spiced rum for this recipe. You can replace these with other spicy ginger beers and spiced rum though.

I've used the following before now:

Ginger Beer:

  • Belvoir Organic Ginger Beer
  • Fever-Tree Ginger Beer
  • Fentimans Ginger Beer

Rum:

  • Goslings Black Seal Rum - this is the official recognised rum used in a Dark 'n' Stormy
  • Captain Morgan's spiced rum - this is a pretty good replacement, but i'd always look for the Kraken or Goslings rum first.

Nutritional information is per glass.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcalCarbohydrates: 11gSodium: 9mgSugar: 10gVitamin C: 4.5mgIron: 0.2mg

Keywords Any Time Of the year, bbq, co*cktails, party, summer

Tried this recipe?Mention @KitchenSanctuary or tag #KitchenSanctuary on Instagram!

More Delicious co*cktails

  • Rum and Peach co*cktail with Chilli Syrup
  • Frozen Pink Grapefruit Prosecco co*cktail
  • New Year’s Eve Rum Berry co*cktail
  • Pineapple Dole Whip Margarita
  • Black Cherry Bellini
  • Gin and Cucumber Basil Smash
  • Spiced Rum Float
  • Pineapple Ginger Mojitos with Spiced Rum
  • Charred Grapefruit and Ginger Fizz with Chilli Syrup - this ones a mocktail!

This Dark and Stormy recipe post was first published in June 2016. Updated in August 2019 with tips, step by step photos and a video. Updated in May 2020 with more information and for housekeeping reasons.

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Easy Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail Recipe (14)

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our

Easy Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail Recipe (15)

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I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

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Easy Dark 'N' Stormy co*cktail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What rum is best for a dark and stormy? ›

Gosling's is a delicious rum, and being the dark rum from Bermuda, it is unquestionably synonymous with the dark 'n' stormy. But, any number of dark rums are interchangeably lovely in this drink, including Coruba, Zaya, Cruzan's Blackstrap and the Lemon Hart 151 from Guyana.

What is the difference between Jamaican mule and dark and stormy? ›

Jamaican Mules give the drink a slightly sweeter taste compared to that of the Moscow Mule, which is similar to that of a Dark 'N' Stormy—a rum and ginger beer mixed drink without lime juice. The Jamaican Mule is great when paired with fish, spicy jerk chicken, or jambalayas.

Can I make a dark and stormy with ginger ale? ›

Combine dark rum, ginger ale and citrus to make a classic dark & stormy. Once you've mastered the co*cktail favourite, try our three twists...

Is Captain Morgan considered a dark rum? ›

Captain Morgan Dark Rum is made with a secret blend of fine Caribbean rums and exotic spices to make our darkest flavour rum. Captain Morgan Dark Rum bursts with toffee, rich caramel, sweet dark brown sugar and ripe banana flavours.

What is Captain Morgan and Ginger Ale called? ›

Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, a splash of spicy Ginger Ale, and a slice of lime to cut through the gingery heat.

What is in a Bermuda dark and stormy? ›

Riffs on this drink abound, but to be legally considered a Dark 'n Stormy, it must be made with Black Seal rum made by Gosling's, which has trademarked the co*cktail's name. Fill Collins glass with cubed ice, add rum and ginger beer, stir and garnish with lime wedge or wheel.

What is a cowboy mule? ›

Have an empty pint glass or bar/sundae spoon. Add bourbon, lime (and / or Pomegranate) juice, and bitters. Add crushed ice and ginger beer to top. Transfer back and forth from mug to pint glass or stir with a bar spoon. Garnish with a citrus wedge.

Why is it called a dark and stormy? ›

The name was said to have originated when an old fisherman, observed that the drink was the “color of a cloud only a fool or dead man would sail under”. Probably followed by – “Barman, I'll have another Dark 'n Stormy!” Into a tall glass filled with ice, pour the ginger beer and float the rum on top.

Are you supposed to mix a dark and stormy? ›

How To Drink a Dark and Stormy. The rum is often served floating on top, mimicking a stormy sky. The first thing any seasoned Dark and Stormy drinker will do, however, is stir it up. It is also officially served in a highball glass, though for those of us who love the drink, any glass will do.

How nutritious is a dark and stormy drink? ›

Dark and Stormy - 1 co*cktail
  • Total Fat 0g 0%
  • Saturated Fat 0g 0%
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 0g.
  • Cholesterol 0mg 0%
  • Sodium 10mg 0%
  • Total Carbohydrates 11g 4%
  • Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
  • Sugars 11g.
Jan 27, 2016

Which rum for dark n stormy? ›

Goslings has since trademarked the name “Dark 'n Stormy,” which is why some bars refer to their version of the drink as a Safe Harbor or Rum Mule. If you want to make the official co*cktail recipe (or abbreviate the “and” in the name), you must use Goslings Black Seal Rum.

What is the difference between Moscow Mule and Dark N Stormy? ›

The dark and stormy co*cktail is traditionally made from dark rum and ginger beer, garnished with a slice of fresh lemon. Its famous competitor the moscow mule co*cktail uses vodka instead of rum, often a spicier ginger beer and lime juice.

Is a dark and stormy a girly drink? ›

Considering the original dark and stormy was created by an old seaman, I would say it is absolutely not a girly drink! Does the pink hued addition of hibiscus make it girly? Well, ladies love it and it is beautiful, but my guy, Mr. Fresh Cooky loves this drink, he will drink Hibiscus Ginger Beer straight from the can.

What is the best rum for a perfect storm? ›

The Perfect Storm – Kraken Rum.

What rum is closest to what pirates drank? ›

For the most part, pirates would drink whatever they got their hands on. Usually, this meant unrefined, dark, high-alcohol-content strong rum. When you Google this question, you'll find the top answer to be grog, or rum grog. Rum grog was a mixture of rum, sugar, lime or another citrus, and water.

What is the best dark rum co*cktail? ›

Our co*cktail Recipes
  • Piña Colada Old Fashioned.
  • Spicy Rum Gold Rush.
  • Sorrel Passionfruit Hot Toddy.
  • Crismus Breeze.
  • Crown Swizzle.
  • Dark & Stormy.
  • Nightcall.
  • 1st & Ten.

What makes a good dark rum? ›

A quality dark rum will have a range of flavors and aromas that are both bold and nuanced. Notes you may taste include sweetness, smoke, acidity, and spice. The complexity of a dark rum is what makes the flavor experience so enjoyable.

References

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