What makes a "true" Dark & Stormy cocktail?

According to the purists, you need dark rum (specifically Gosling's Black Seal Rum) and ginger beer. Everything else is fun, but might be branding-adjacent.

Can I make a Dark & Stormy cocktail without Gosling's Black Seal Rum?

Technically yes, legally no, and practically who's going to stop you? While Gosling's owns the trademark and insists their Black Seal Rum is essential, many bartenders experiment with other dark rums. Just don't call it a Dark 'n' Stormy on your menu unless you want a strongly worded letter from Bermuda. Call it a "Caribbean Thunder" instead.

When is the best time to drink one?

Anytime you want something that's refreshing, fizzy, slightly spicy (from the ginger beer), and a little bit pirate-y. Beach day, rooftop evening, or just "Hey it's Friday" qualifies.

Is the Dark & Stormy cocktail really Bermudian or just marketing?

It's genuinely Bermudian, with historical roots going back over a century. The trademark situation is marketing, sure, but the drink's origin story checks out. Bermudians have been mixing rum and ginger beer since before your great grandparents were born, so the cultural authenticity is solid even if the legal protectiveness feels a bit extra.

Why is my Dark & Stormy cocktail flat?

You either used old ginger beer, added the rum too aggressively (destroying the carbonation), or you're drinking it too slowly. Once mixed, these drinks lose their fizz relatively quickly, so don't treat it like fine wine that gets better as it sits. Make it, admire it briefly, then drink it before physics ruins your fun.

🌪️ Dark 'n' Stormy: The Cocktail That Sparked Legal Thunderstorms

Sophia

Posted on November 7, 2024

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