Dark & Stormy Cocktail

Zippy and refreshing, the Dark & Stormy cocktail is a classic that’s so easy to make! With plenty of flavor thanks to dark rum and ginger beer, the secret to making this three-ingredient sipper is in the measurements.

About this Dark & Stormy recipe

When you’re in my line of work, everyone wants you to pick a favorite cocktail. I really hesitate to answer that question, because for one, there are SO many good drinks out there! Plus, different cocktails fit different occasions. Brunch? Can’t beat a mimosa. Taco night? Have to have a margarita! You get the picture, it’s hard to pick just one drink to call my favorite.

That said, the Dark & Stormy is one of my favorite cocktails. In fact, it’s the first legal drink I ordered on my 21st birthday! The dark rum and spicy ginger beer come together for a complex flavor — but making this sipper is surprisingly easy.

Think of this cocktail as a cousin of the classic Moscow Mule. The rum in this recipe takes the place of vodka for a deeper flavor thanks to the barrel it’s aged in, offering a drink that’s perfectly refreshing for hot days.

More rum recipes: Rum & Coke • Mai Tai • Cuba Libre

Tools & glassware

The Dark & Stormy doesn’t require any special equipment, adding to its allure. Grab a jigger ^* and a bar spoon ^* and you’re ready to go!

You can serve it your favorite glass, even a classic copper mug like you use for Moscow mules. I like to use a highball glass ^* to leave plenty of room for ice.

essential bar tools

jigger

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boston shaker

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hawthorne strainer

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^*

Ingredients

There’s a reason the Dark & Stormy is a bar favorite — it only takes a few ingredients and a few minutes to make! Here’s what you need:

• Dark rum: Dark or spiced rum is the traditional choice for this drink. Since this rum is aged in oak barrels for a longer period of time, it brings woody, slightly smoky flavor to the drink.
• Ginger beer: Goslings Ginger Beer is often used in this recipe, but you can use any ginger beer for this recipe. I did a ginger beer taste test in case you’d like to experiment with how punchy you’d like it.
• Lime juice: Fresh is best when it comes to citrus juice!

Garnishes

A lime wheel is a great garnish for a Dark & Stormy, adding to the citrus flavor. To elevate the drink, try a dehydrated lime slice (or even a few dehydrated citrus slices) and a straw.

A cocktail umbrella would add a tropical vibe, as would a few lime slices on a bamboo skewer. This presentation would be fun for a summer party!

Best rum for the Dark & Stormy cocktail

My recommendation when it comes to cocktails is to use the best alcohol you can afford. In this case, the Dark & Stormy calls for either a dark or spiced rum for a more complex flavor profile in the finished drink. Goslings Black Seal Rum is the traditional choice (especially when paired with Goslings Ginger Beer), but your favorite aged rum will work just as well!

If you don’t have aged rum, or prefer something different, any kind of rum will work. A homemade spiced rum allows you to customize the flavor for your drink while a flavored rum could introduce other flavors like coconut or pineapple.

Substitutions & variations

• Make a non-alcoholic version of the classic cocktail. Instead of dark rum, use zero-proof rum — I like this Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative ^*. It still hits the spot on a hot day with all the flavor and none of the booze.
• Change the sweetness or spiciness of your drink by using different types of ginger beer. I’ve tried a lot of varieties and ranked them all if you need help deciding.
• If you’d like a more sweet and subtle ginger flavor, use ginger ale instead of ginger beer.

Instructions

Grab your umbrellas and let’s mix up a Dark & Stormy!

First, fill your glass with ice. Squeeze your lime juice directly into the glass and drop in the shell of the lime for extra citrus flavor.

Next, add your rum. Top the drink with ginger beer and stir gently with a bar spoon ^*. Add a garnish of a lime wheel or lime wedge and you’re ready to enjoy!

Food pairings

Rum gives off a tropical vibe that makes me want to close my eyes and pretend I’m on a beach somewhere! Keep the feelings going by pairing a Dark & Stormy with an island favorite — think crunchy coconut shrimp, tangy cilantro pineapple salsa or succulent Hawaiian poke.

To satisfy your sweet tooth, compliment the flavors in the drink with a batch of Moscow mule cookies. You also can’t go wrong with a tropical classic like boozy dole whip.

FAQ

More three-ingredient recipes

• Irish Mule
• Belmont Jewel Cocktail
• Frozen Lemon Daiquiris