#CocktailHour: Watch – How to make a Dark 'n Stormy cocktail

It's a simple one, but a good'un. The Dark & Stormy is an easy mix of ginger beer, Goslings Black Seal rum, and lime to garnish (optional).

While any dark rum does work in this drink, it then can't be called a Dark 'N Stormy. Goslings has actually trademarked the cocktail, so it should only officially be made with Goslings rum AND Goslings stormy ginger beer. There have even been lawsuits when other rum brands have ripped off the recipe or used the name...!

Sometimes you'll see it on menus with other rum brands called a Safe Harbour, or other variation!

Goslings Black Seal rum was invented in the early 1800s. The story goes, a Gosling family member was sailing from England to Virginia. However, he didn't make it to America. I bet you're thinking there was a huge storm and he crash landed on Bermuda? But nope, the sea was too calm, so the ship headed for the nearest dock, which happened to be Bermuda. There he came up with the recipe for Black Seal Rum.

And the Dark 'n Stormy cocktail? After World War 1, some British naval officers were making ginger beer to combat sea sickness while stationed on Bermuda. One of them mixed the ginger beer with Goslings Black Seal rum, and allegedly said it looked like, “the colour of a cloud only a fool or a dead man would sail under.” And so, the Dark & Stormy was born.

If you like a citrus hit, like me, I do like to add 25ml of lime juice, but you definitely can't swap out the ginger beer for ginger ale. And the more fiery the ginger beer, the better.

Play video

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Dark 'N Stormy cocktail recipe

50ml Goslings Black Seal rum

100ml fiery ginger beer

25ml lime juice (optional)

Lime wheel to garnish

Method

Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.

Pour in the ginger beer and lime juice (if you're using it).

Top with rum (at this point it should be looking Dark 'N Stormy).

Stir with a barspoon.

Garnish with a lime wheel/wedge.

What classic cocktails (or not so classic) cocktails would you like to see next?