This 1800s 2-Ingredient Cocktail Is the World's Easiest to Make

The dark and stormy is one of the very first cocktails I ever learned to make — and also one of the easiest. Made by layering dark rum and refreshing ginger beer together in a glass, it got its name because the dark rum floating on top gives it a cloudy appearance that mimics the appearance of storm clouds.

With only two ingredients (plus a garnish of lime, if you like), this classic cocktail from Bermuda requires no special cocktail equipment, shaking, or straining. It’s the perfect, easy cocktail to make anytime, and it’s also great if you’re serving a crowd. Here’s everything you need to know about making a dark and stormy cocktail.

Why You’ll Love It

• It’s the easiest cocktail you’ll ever make. You don’t have to shake or stir the ingredients together — just pour the ginger beer and dark rum directly into an ice-filled glass.

• A refreshing sipper. The ginger beer gives the drink a spicy, sweet, and effervescent kick.

Key Ingredients in a Dark and Stormy

• Dark rum: Made in Bermuda, Goslings Black Seal rum is the traditional dark rum used in a dark and stormy, and it has the flavors of vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch. Feel free to substitute it with your favorite dark rum. Don’t use spiced rum, which has spices and sometimes sweeteners added.

• Ginger beer: This spicy, fizzy drink is what makes a dark and stormy so refreshing. The traditional brand used is Barritts, which is produced in Bermuda. Modern-day ginger beers, including Barritts, usually don’t contain any (or maybe just a smidge) of alcohol. Don’t confuse ginger beer with ginger ale, which is milder and less spicy.

• Lime: You’ll need a piece of lime for garnish. Some people also like a bit of lime juice in the dark and stormy; try it both ways and see which you prefer.

How to Make a Dark and Stormy

1. Layer the ingredients. Fill a glass with ice, then start by pouring in the ginger beer (preferably chilled) and lime juice if using. Slowly pour in the dark rum, which will form a nice layer on top.

2. Garnish and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel. It’s prettiest to serve a dark and stormy to someone with the layers intact, but have them stir to incorporate the rum into the ginger beer before drinking so the flavors are combined.

Helpful Swaps

While Goslings Black Seal rum and Barritts ginger beer are the traditional ingredients in a dark and stormy, you can use other brands of dark rum or ginger beer (Bundaberg or Fever Tree make great ginger beers).

Other Dark Rum Cocktails

• Painkiller

• Hurricane

• Jungle Bird

• Mai Tai

• Rum Runner

Dark and Stormy Recipe

It doesn’t get any easier than this.

Prep time 5 minutes

Makes 1

Serves 1

Ingredients

• Ice

• 4 ounces cold ginger beer

• 1/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice (from 1/4 medium lime, optional)

• 1 1/2 ounces dark rum, preferably Goslings Black Seal

• Lime wheel or wedge, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a highball or old-fashioned glass with ice. Pour in 4 ounces cold ginger beer and 1/4 ounce lime juice if desired. Slowly pour in 1 1/2 ounces dark rum. Garnish with a lime wheel or lime wedge. Stir until combined before sipping.

Further Reading

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