Old-Fashioned
Robert Simonson
1807 ratings with an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars
1,807
2 minutes
Dark ’n’ Stormy
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Ingredients
- 2ounces dark rum
- ½ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice
- ½ounce simple syrup, or to taste
- 4-6 ounces fresh ginger beer.
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (2 servings)
110 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 12 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 12 grams sugars; 0 grams protein; 9 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Powered byPreparation
- Step 1
Build the drink in a highball glass filled with ice, adjusting for sweetness and tartness. Depending on when you stop the fermentation of the ginger beer, it may be fully dry or still retain enough sweetness that additional simple syrup is unnecessary. Garnish with a wedge of lime. Serves 1.
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Cooking Notes
never having built a drink...
In what order do the ingredients go into the glass? as listed? does it matter?
Heidi Menocal
It does not need the simple syrup. I don't know anyone in my sailing town who uses simple syrup in a dark and stormy. Goslings is best and a good ginger beer.
Robert
As another noted, Goslings Black Seal Rum and Barritts, Goslings or Regatta ginger beer from Bermuda are widely available and the only ingredients to use if you want the flavor of an original Dark n' Stormy. Ginger beer is a soft drink, like ginger ale, but not ginger ale. Jamaican ginger beer is spicier and gives a different flavor than the Bermuda ginger beer (I don't care for it.) But I do substitute lemon for the lime. It brightens up the drink in a way lime cannot.
Kevin
Ice-then-ginger beer, then the black seal rum. Full stop. Don't stir. Too easy
Jim VP
If you really want to play with the recipe, swap out the dark rum for a spiced one. Lots of folks swear by Sailor Jerry, but I'm quite fond of Kraken for this drink.
Jim VP
Variations on this can really change its profile. I like it without simple syrup, but I'll add an ounce of Canton ginger liqueur and use Q ginger beer. If you try a lot of ginger beers you'll find that there's a wide range in them. Some of them are so weak as to add no flavor to the drink and make it over-sweet. Fever Tree is pretty good, but Q has more bite. Also, a dash of pepper bitters or angostura bitters add complexity.
Barbara
1 1/2 oz ginger syrup, top with seltzer
Erika
Increased the lime juice to 1 1/4oz. Really improved the balance in my opinion. Call me an alcohol wimp but I like a zesty drink.
Sallyinthegalley
Cruzan Blackstrap rum and Bundaberg Ginger Beer makes the perfect Dark and Stormy. I'm okay cheating with pre-squeezed lime juice but can't substitute the Bundaberg or Cruzan Blackstrap. No simple syrup necessary. IMHO
Jennie
We used Fever Tree ginger beer, which I found quite dry. I used maple instead of simple syrup (I didn't have any), which added a nice flavor, but didn't mix in adequately. Next time I will mix the rum, maple syrup, and lime juice together, then top off with ginger beer. I think the confusion about simple syrup in this recipe arises from the fact that the author assumes we have home-fermented our own ginger beer, and therefore need to adjust for sweetness. Raise your hand if you did.
donadinkler
I like Tony Cecchini’s version of this drink very much. While some of you poo-poo the addition of a little simple syrup, there are many others whose Dark and Stormy experiences are heightened when using it. Why make this an issue? Let drinkers enjoy.
Clytia
No, no, no simple syrup! It is perfectly sweet without.
Robert
As another noted, Goslings Black Seal Rum and Barritts, Goslings or Regatta ginger beer from Bermuda are widely available and the only ingredients to use if you want the flavor of an original Dark n' Stormy. Ginger beer is a soft drink, like ginger ale, but not ginger ale. Jamaican ginger beer is spicier and gives a different flavor than the Bermuda ginger beer (I don't care for it.) But I do substitute lemon for the lime. It brightens up the drink in a way lime cannot.
Very good!
I make it with a little bit of my homemade ginger simple syrup to bump up the gingery taste.
Kevin
It must be Goslings BlackSeal Rum, and Goslings or Barritts ginger beer from Bermuda. Absolutely no substitutes
Heidi Menocal
It does not need the simple syrup. I don't know anyone in my sailing town who uses simple syrup in a dark and stormy. Goslings is best and a good ginger beer.
Lisa
I'm with you. From the coast of CT, that's how we do it as well.
JP
Sure, no one uses simple in this. But if Toby is using it, you can bet that it's an improvement.
Michael
I find Fever Tree to be a good choice for ginger beer. Gosling's is readily available, so I typically use it. I've also found El Dorado to be quite nice. I'm currently experimenting with a couple of different bitters--a ginger one and a lime one.
Robert Chamut
My go-to summer patio drink. Make sure to use a very good dark rum- even better, use an overproof (151). The syrup is not necessary depending on the type of ginger beer. Jamaican is best.
Gayle
What is fresh ginger beer? Evidently something you make/ferment yourself?
KW
I just picked up Ginger Beer at Trader Joe's - it's one of the specials this month. It is non-alcoholic.
Betsy
If you follow the link to the original article, you will find out. Making your own, even the "lazy man's" version, sounds like quite a project. It may be fun to try, but it makes the "easy" designation of this cocktail a little misleading!
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