Cocktail of the Month: A Spring Twist on the Dark & Stormy
A drink that might sound like a heavy winter cocktail at first glance surprises with incredible lightness. The combination of spicy rum and refreshing ginger beer makes it the perfect companion for transitioning into the warmer season.
For this, we rely on the ginger beer from Kinley, part of the portfolio of The Coca-Cola Company. Its crisp spice, paired with fine citrus notes, gives the drink a special vibrancy – while the dark rum, with its earthy and caramel notes, provides a pleasant depth.
A story from the high seas
But where did this iconic cocktail actually come from?
The story of the Dark & Stormy begins where many great drinks have their origin: on the high seas. More precisely, in Bermuda, where British sailors settled after the First World War. There, they discovered a dark, robust rum from the Gosling's distillery, which had been producing on the island since 1806.
«Dark cloud, stormy ocean»
The sailors mixed this rum with refreshing, homemade ginger beer, which was originally intended to combat seasickness.
The name of the cocktail is said to have come about when a sailor looked at the drink and remarked that it «looked like a dark cloud over a stormy ocean.» The Dark & Stormy was born. Since then, the drink has become a classic – and is the only cocktail whose name is actually trademark-protected.
According to U.S. trademark law, a true Dark & Stormy may only be mixed with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum. However, we like to interpret the classic with a personal touch and bring it into spring with Appelton, a lighter rum.
Recipe for the perfect Dark & Stormy:
Ingredients:
… 5 cl dark rum (such as Gosling’s Black Seal or another high-quality dark rum)
… 10 cl Kinley Ginger Beer
… 2 cl fresh lime juice
… Ice cubes
… Lime zest or slice for garnish
Preparation:
… Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
… Pour the fresh lime juice over the ice.
… Top with Kinley Ginger Beer and stir gently.
… Slowly pour the dark rum over the drink so that it settles like a dark cloud in the glass.
… Garnish with a lime slice and mint.
The perfect Dark & Stormy should not be stirred too vigorously – the iconic look with the dark rum slowly mixing with the ginger beer is part of its charm.
A drink fit for spring
As we bid farewell to winter and enjoy the first warmer days, the Dark & Stormy brings just the right balance to the glass. Kinley’s ginger beer delivers a lively freshness that sparks the desire for sunshine and balmy evenings. The dark rum adds a beautiful, earthy component that keeps the drink exciting and complex despite its lightness.
A true classic that convinces with just a few ingredients and brings a vacation feeling to the glass – whether enjoyed on a sunny terrace or still cozied up on the sofa.
#Cheers to spring!
Peter Jauch is…
… a spirits sommelier with a penchant for top-class cocktails and likes to combine them with the best food.
… author of coffee-table books on GIN & CHAMPAGNER.
… an accomplished spirits and champagne tasting host.
… organizer of an experience festival together with friends.
