The ominous-sounding Spiced Dark and Stormy Cocktail features rich caramel vanilla flavor notes from Goslings Black Seal Rum, snappy ginger beer, warm-spiced sweet simple syrup, and fresh citrusy lime.
I’ve always been drawn to pirates. Who doesn’t enjoy tales of Blackbeard and Captain Jack Sparrow?!
It sounds like a very interesting lifestyle; traveling around the high seas exploring and treasure-hunting! Of course not so much the plundering, pillaging, and well, pirating that they do. But pirate lore always fascinates me.
Years ago I made Dark and Stormy Cupcakes with the same flavor profile as the cocktail. Since then I’ve wanted to make my own version of this adult beverage. After recently sharing my recipe for Polyjuice Potion, I was inspired to do it!
This is my spin on a classic Dark ‘N Stormy Cocktail. I wanted to add spice to complement the ginger flavor, while keeping the integrity of the drink and using Goslings Black Seal Rum.
I decided to make a simple syrup with warm spices, and it couldn’t be any easier. To make spiced simple syrup, just add spices to sugar and water and bring it to a boil in a saucepan on the stovetop.
Traditionally, a Dark and Stormy Cocktail doesn’t add simple syrup, but because here we use simple syrup as a vessel to add spice, we need to balance out the added sweetness. A little fresh lime juice is perfect. (Just between you and I, to be perfectly honest I like this version even better than the original!)
This Spiced Dark and Stormy Cocktail recipe features the caramel, vanilla, molasses-y flavor notes of Goslings Seal Black rum along with the fresh effervescence and crisp bite of ginger beer. The sweet warm spicy flavor of spiced simple syrup and the brightness of lime juice tie everything together beautifully. It’s a fun twist on the classic beverage.
The Classic Dark ‘N’ Stormy Cocktail
Originally, this beverage was made with Goslings Black Seal Rum and Barritt’s Ginger Beer. Specifically, 1 ½ ounces of Goslings Black Seal Rum poured on top of 4 to 5 ounces of ginger beer over ice in a highball glass. Optionally, garnished with a lime wedge if you want. (Recipe found on Goslings Rum.)
Goslings trademarked it in Bermuda in 1980 and in the U.S. in 1991. This means that if a drink is called a Dark and Stormy, Goslings Black Seal Rum must be used to avoid potential litigation. (Read more about this on Forbes.)
Its ominously dark name paints quite the picture, and this is definitely a cocktail with an interesting history.
History of the Dark ‘N Stormy
As the story goes, in 1806 James Gosling set out from England to America in a chartered ship called the Mercury. After 91 days at sea his charter had run out and the closest port was St. George’s, Bermuda.
By 1860, Gosling and his family had started a rum business. It’s said that they sold rum from a large barrel and encouraged their customers to bring their own jugs to fill. After a while they sold their dark rum in repurposed champagne bottles that were corked and sealed with black sealing wax. Hence the name, black seal rum.
The Dark ‘N Stormy came a bit later though. After World War I, the Royal Naval Officers Club ran a ginger beer factory in Bermuda. The sailors purportedly discovered that a hefty splash of rum was a pretty fabulous addition to ginger beer. And the rest is history!
You can read more about the history of the Dark ‘N’ Stormy cocktail on CNN Travel, Scuttlebutt Sailing News, and Make Me a Cocktail.
The Best Spiced Dark and Stormy Cocktail Recipe
Dark and Stormy Ingredients
- Goslings Black Seal Rum
- Fresh lime juice
- Spiced simple syrup
- Ginger beer (not ginger ale)
Ingredients in Spiced Simple Syrup
- Sugar
- Water
- Cinnamon stick
- Cloves
- Nutmeg
- Whole peppercorns
How to Make a Dark n Stormy Cocktail
- Add ice to a highball glass.
- Pour in 4 to 5 ounces of ginger beer.
- Top with 1 ½ ounces of Goslings Black Seal Rum.
- If desired, garnish with a lime wedge.
For our Spiced Dark and Stormy Cocktail, we first make a spiced simple syrup by combining sugar, water, and spices in a saucepan on the stovetop. Once boiling, let the mixture boil for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature before using.
Tips for Making a Dark and Stormy Cocktail Recipe
- The ginger component. Be sure to use ginger beer, not ginger ale for this cocktail recipe. Ginger beer is much zippier with a stronger ginger bite than ginger ale.
- And now for the rum. Like we talked about earlier in this article, in order to legally be called a Dark ‘N Stormy, you have to use Goslings Black Seal Rum. Taste-wise this is the perfect choice because of its rich caramel vanilla flavor profile.
- The layered look. You can serve this cocktail with the rum floating on top if you like the layered look. Or if you prefer, give it a quick stir with a bar spoon to mix it.
Dark and Stormy Cocktail FAQs
What’s in a Dark and Stormy Cocktail?
A classic Dark ‘N Stormy contains dark rum and ginger beer served in a highball glass over ice with a squeeze of lime.
What is the Best Rum for a Dark and Stormy?
Because Goslings trademarked it, Goslings Black Seal Rum must be used to avoid potential litigation. Of course, if you're making this drink at home, feel free to use whatever type of dark rum you like!
How is a Dark and Stormy Different Than a Moscow Mule?
Both drinks contain ginger beer and lime. The difference is that a Dark ‘N Stormy uses Goslings Black Seal Rum and a Moscow Mule has vodka.
Why is it Called a Dark and Stormy?
Supposedly the sailor who coined the name compared the drink’s murky look with a stormy sky and said it was “the color of a cloud that only a fool or a dead man would sail under.” (Find out more on Smithsonian Magazine.)
More Cocktails to Make
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Dark and Stormy Cocktail Recipe with Spiced Simple Syrup
Ingredients
Spiced Simple Syrup (makes about 1 cup):
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 whole nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon whole peppercorns
Cocktail:
- 2 ounces Goslings Black Seal Rum
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce Spiced Simple Syrup
- 4 ounces ginger beer
To Serve:
- Ice cubes
- Fresh lime cut into wheels or wedges
Instructions
For the Spiced Simple Syrup:
- Add all ingredients to a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring to help the sugar dissolve. Don’t stir anymore once it boils.
- Once boiling, boil for 30 seconds, and then remove from the heat.
- Cool to room temperature.
For the Cocktail:
- Add the rum, lime juice, and Spiced Simple Syrup to a cocktail mixing glass. Give it a quick stir with a bar spoon.
- Fill a highball glass about ½ full with ice, and then pour in the ginger beer and rum mixture. You can serve it as-is with the rum floating on top, or give it a quick stir with a bar spoon to mix it.
- Top with lime wheels or wedges.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Faith's Tips
- Spiced Simple Syrup: This recipe for Spiced Simple Syrup makes about 1 cup. You will only 2 tablespoons to make each Dark and Stormy cocktail. Store the leftover syrup covered in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Ginger Beer Tip: Be sure to use ginger beer, not ginger ale for this cocktail recipe. Ginger beer is much zippier with a stronger ginger bite than ginger ale.
Betsy says
What a cool idea! And I loved the pirate history, too! ☺️❤️