Dark ’n’ Stormy Recipe (2024)

In what order do the ingredients go into the glass? as listed? does it matter?

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.

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.

Ice-then-ginger beer, then the black seal rum. Full stop. Don't stir. Too easy

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.

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.

1 1/2 oz ginger syrup, top with seltzer

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.

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

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.

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.

No, no, no simple syrup! It is perfectly sweet without.

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.

I make it with a little bit of my homemade ginger simple syrup to bump up the gingery taste.

It must be Goslings BlackSeal Rum, and Goslings or Barritts ginger beer from Bermuda. Absolutely no substitutes

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.

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.

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.

What is fresh ginger beer? Evidently something you make/ferment yourself?