Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktail recipe

The Dark ‘n’ Stormy is often dismissed as basic pub fare, but don’t underestimate this cocktail’s main-character energy. Ever wondered how it got its name? It was coined by a sailor who, while drinking the cocktail, commented that it was the “colour of a cloud only a fool or dead man would sail under.” The ‘dark’ described the rum, while the ‘stormy’ referred to the ginger beer.

But where did it all begin? In 1806, James Gosling, the oldest son of wine and spirits merchant William Gosling, set out to sail on board the English ship Mercury, which was bound for America. After 91 days on the wild seas, the Mercury didn’t quite reach its destination and arrived instead at St George’s Bermuda, where James decided to stay. It's lucky for us rum lovers that he did because in 1860, he founded Black Seal Rum which, when mixed with ginger beer, created the legendary cocktail we know and love today.

These days, the Dark ‘n’ Stormy is synonymous with our own Bundaberg Rum, which hails from Queensland and delivers delicious results in this simple but over-achieving drink. 

There’s more than one way to make a delicious Dark ‘n’ Stormy, depending on your mood and style. Any dark rum will work well, so long as it’s of a high quality, but we think it comes alive with a little spice. Don't skimp on quality when it comes to ginger beer either, and don’t you dare consider using ginger ale instead – it’s tame in comparison. 

If you don’t have access to a big, bold and spicy rum, some bartenders are known to add a few dashes of Angostura Bitters to their Dark ‘n’ Stormy, which makes for quite a pleasant serve. It’s a great way to bolster the lighter Spanish styles of rum.

If you’re keen to experiment and switch things up, the Dark ‘n’ Story is a versatile cocktail. Need a kick of caffeine? Add a shot of espresso. Want to add a splash of colour? Add your favourite shiraz. Need to freshen it up? Add a touch of rhubarb bitters. And if you’re feeling adventurous, add some fresh ginger for that extra kick. The options are endless.