Dark'n Stormy

Pro tips

• Use ice-cold ginger beer and chill your glass beforehand—the contrast between the cold mixer and warm spice is essential to the drink's character.
• Pour the rum first, then top with ginger beer to preserve carbonation and prevent over-mixing.
• Serve immediately after mixing; the drink's fresh ginger bite fades quickly as carbonation escapes.
• The 2:1 ginger beer-to-rum ratio is flexible—adjust to taste, but keep Gosling's as the anchor for authenticity.

Substitutions

• Gosling's Black Seal → other dark rums (flavor and legal designation will differ; Gosling's is required for the trademarked name)
• Ginger beer → premium ginger beer brands like Fever-Tree (higher quality, more balanced spice)

Equipment

highball glass · bar spoon or stirrer

Can I use a different rum instead of Gosling's Black Seal?

Technically you can, but Gosling's owns the trademark to the Dark 'n' Stormy, so the recipe requires their Black Seal rum for authenticity and legal accuracy.

What's the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?

Ginger beer has a sharper, spicier bite and higher ginger content than ginger ale, which is milder and more carbonated. Dark 'n' Stormys specifically need ginger beer.

How much rum goes in a Dark 'n' Stormy?

The standard recipe calls for 2 oz of Gosling's Black Seal rum per drink, making it a spirit-forward cocktail.

What garnish is traditional for a Dark 'n' Stormy?

A lime wheel or wedge is the traditional garnish, added to the rim or floated in the drink.

What glassware should I use?

Serve in a highball glass or tall glass filled with ice to accommodate the rum and ginger beer mix.