Dark and Stormy

This dark and stormy cocktail is a favorite of the sailing set. It's simple to make with dark rum, ginger beer, and optional splash of lime.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated September 15, 2022
Elise Bauer
Glasses of Dark and Stormy with Lime Wedges

Simply Recipes / Michelle Becker

It was a dark and stormy night... and so starts the sailor's tale, whether it be of vengeful ghosts or monster whales. Thus the aptly named "Dark 'n' Stormy" cocktail, a favorite of the sailing set from Bermuda to up and along the coast of the eastern states.

What Is a Dark and Stormy?

It consists of rum and ginger beer, and maybe, just maybe, a splash of lime. But it can't be just any old rum. Dark rum is a necessity, and if you want to make the drink true and proper, it must be Gosling's black rum.

Dark n Stormy
Elise Bauer

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.

If you've spent any amount of time with me, you'll know I'm not much of a drinker. (Cheap date!) But I find it very hard to turn down a Dark and Stormy.

I had one for the first time several years ago visiting my friends Ann and Nick in Annisquam, Mass, a village outside of Gloucester, right on the water by Lobster cove. This is a drink for breezy days by the ocean, with sailboats and salty air.

Do you like Dark and Stormys? If so, with lime juice or without? (I prefer it with.) And do you have a favorite brand of ginger beer to go with it?

Dark and Stormy Cocktail on a Cutting Board with Limes

Simply Recipes / Michelle Becker

More Refreshing Summer Cocktails

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Dark and Stormy

Prep Time 1 mins
Total Time 1 mins
Serving 1 drink

The official Dark and Stormy uses only Gosling's black rum. If you don't have Goslings, use a dark rum.

Ingredients

  • Ice

  • 1/4 lime, cut into 2 thick slices: 1 for garnish, 1 to squeeze over the ice

  • 2 ounces Gosling’s Black Seal Bermuda black rum

  • 4 ounces ginger beer (Gosling's makes one just for this purpose)

Method

  1. Add ice to a glass and pour the ginger beer and lime in:

    Fill a tall glass (preferably a highball glass) with ice. If using lime, squeeze a slice over the ice. Add the ginger beer.

    Glass of Lime Juice and Ginger Beer for Dark n Stormy

    Simply Recipes / Michelle Becker
  2. Add the rum and garnish:

    Top the ginger beer with the rum (for effect) and place a slice of lime on the rim of the glass for a garnish.

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    Rum Added to Dark a n d Stormy

    Simply Recipes / Michelle Becker
    How to Make a Dark and Stormy

    Simply Recipes / Michelle Becker
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
216 Calories
0g Fat
25g Carbs
1g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 216
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 12mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 25g 9%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 24mg 122%
Calcium 32mg 2%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 88mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.