The Dark 'n Stormy cocktail is a classic rum cocktail that originated on the Caribbean island of Bermuda. The story of this drink is linked to the Goslings family, who produced rum in Bermuda at the end of the 19th century.
The Goslings family started producing rum in Bermuda in the 1800s and over time their dark rum called Goslings Black Seal Rum became very popular. In the same period, ginger beer, the ginger fizzy drink consumed by British sailors on the island, was also quite common.
One day sailors tried mixing the two drinks. The spicy freshness of the ginger drink combined with the intense aroma of the dark rum resulted in a very balanced mixture. The appearance of the drink was reminiscent of a stormy sky, as the dark rum sat like a dark cloud above the glass.
“Storms sometimes look scary, but the calm that follows is always more valuable”
It is said that when a sailor saw this drink, he said:
"This drink looks like the sky before a storm."
Thus, the cocktail became known as Dark 'n Stormy, meaning "dark and stormy".
Today, the Dark 'n Stormy is considered one of the official cocktails of Bermuda. The Goslings brand has even registered this cocktail name as a trademark. Traditionally, the cocktail is made with Goslings rum.
Thanks to its spicy ginger aroma, the rich character of the rum and the fresh touch of lime, Dark 'n Stormy remains one of the most popular rum cocktails in summer.
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Ingredients
Unit System
50 mlDark Rum (usually Goslings Black Seal)
100 mlGinger Beer (ginger fizzy drink)
10 mlfresh lime juice
IceLime Slice
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Method
1
Fill the highball glass with ice.
2
Add ginger ale to the glass.
3
Top with fresh lime juice.
4
Pour the dark rum slowly over a bar spoon.
5
Garnish with a lime wedge and serve.
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Bartender Tips
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Layered presentation - If dark rum is poured slowly from the top, the cocktail looks like a storm cloud.
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Use real ginger beer - Ginger beer (ginger ale) is spicier than ginger ale and gives the cocktail character.
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Lime balance - A few drops of fresh lime juice enhance the freshness of the drink.
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