This Dark ‘N’ Stormy is a striking, spicy and refreshing cocktail that needs just 3 ingredients plus a glass full of ice.
Below you’ll find a simple method to achieve the attractive layered look that makes this drink so photogenic.
Perfect for sunny BBQ weekends and easy entertaining.
I love a good Dark ‘N’ Stormy. A friend introduced me to it and now it’s my go-to when we head out for drinks.
What ingredients do you need?
This is an easy three-ingredient cocktail (four if you count the ice). You’ll need:
- Ginger beer
- Lime
- Spiced rum
Which rum is best?
Use a spiced rum for the classic flavour. Good options include:
- Gosling’s Black Seal Rum – the traditional choice for a Dark ‘n’ Stormy
- Kraken Spiced Rum – a rich, aromatic favourite
- Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum – a reasonable substitute if needed
If you prefer a bold, spicy spirit, Kraken is a great pick: aromatic, rich and full of character.
Notes on ginger beer
A cloudy, spicy ginger beer works best. Try:
- John Crabbie’s cloudy ginger beer (non-alcoholic)
- Belvoir Organic Ginger Beer
- Fever-Tree Ginger Beer
- Fentimans Ginger Beer
- Old Jamaica
I favour a cloudy, spicy variety rather than a very sweet, clear soda-style ginger beer.
How to make it
Follow these simple steps for a perfectly layered Dark ’n’ Stormy.
1. Fill your glass with ice and pour in ginger beer, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
2. Squeeze the juice of half a lime into each glass.
3. Very slowly pour the spiced rum over the back of a spoon so the rum rests on top of the ginger beer, creating a distinct layered effect.
4. Garnish with a lime slice, add a straw if you like, and serve immediately. This cocktail is especially refreshing on a hot day.
A note on straws
These photos were taken before we switched to more environmentally friendly straws. Today we prefer paper, compostable or glass straws.
I enjoy this cocktail on date nights or relaxed sunny afternoons with the BBQ going. It’s a strong drink, so one or two is usually enough for me.
Video
Watch the quick video demonstration:
Food to pair with this cocktail
Dark ‘n’ Stormy pairs wonderfully with BBQ dishes. Try it with:
- Greek lamb souvlaki kebabs
- Peri-peri chicken
- BBQ sticky slow-cooked ribs
- Chicken satay with peanut chilli sauce
- Mexican chicken skewers with picante salsa
It also works nicely alongside spicy curries.
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Cheers — here’s to sunny BBQ days and relaxed date nights!
Dark ‘N’ Stormy Cocktail
Ingredients
- Ice
- 240 ml (1 cup) spicy ginger beer
- Juice of one lime
- Lime slices, to garnish
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) spiced rum
Instructions
- Fill two 12 oz mason jars with ice.
- Add the ginger beer and lime juice, and place a lime slice in each glass.
- Carefully and slowly pour the spiced rum over the back of a spoon so it forms a separate layer on top of the ginger beer.
- Add a straw and a final lime slice, then serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Substitutions: Use other spicy ginger beers and spiced rums if needed. Good ginger beers include Belvoir, Fever-Tree and Fentimans. Alternative rums include Gosling’s Black Seal or Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 11 g |
Sodium: 9 mg |
Sugar: 10 g
Nutrition information is an approximation.
More Delicious Cocktails
- Rum and Peach Cocktail with Chilli Syrup
- Frozen Pink Grapefruit Prosecco Cocktail
- New Year’s Eve Rum Berry Cocktail
- Pineapple Dole Whip Margarita
- Black Cherry Bellini
- Gin and Cucumber Basil Smash
- Spiced Rum Float
- Pineapple Ginger Mojitos with Spiced Rum
- Charred Grapefruit and Ginger Fizz (a mocktail option)
This Dark and Stormy recipe was first published in June 2016 and updated with photos and a video in later years.
Some links in the original post may have been affiliate links. Nutritional information is approximate.