Dark and Stormy
The Dark and Stormy is a medium rum highball, sweet and herbal on the palate. Built and served in a highball glass. It's one of the International Bartenders Association's official new era cocktails.
- 2 min
- Highball glass
- Built
Flavor profile
- Sweet
- 86 out of 100
- Herbal
- 70 out of 100
- Smoky
- 36 out of 100
- Boozy
- 40 out of 100
How to make a Dark and Stormy
To make a Dark and Stormy, fill a highball glass with ice and pour in 3⅓ oz ginger beer, then float 1⅔ oz dark rum on top without stirring. The rum drifting down through the drink is the "storm".
You'll need
- Dark Rum1⅔ oz
- Ginger Beer3⅓ oz
Instructions
- 1
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
- 2
Pour in ginger beer.
- 3
Float the dark rum on top: pour it slowly over the back of a spoon held just above the surface, so it sits in a dark layer without stirring.
- 4
Serve it as it is: the float drifts down into the drink as you sip.
Why float the rum? Poured last, the dark rum sits on the ginger beer and drifts down through it in dark clouds: that's the storm. Stir it in and you just have rum and ginger.
Dark and Stormy questions
What does a Dark and Stormy taste like, and is it sweet?
Yes, it's on the sweet side: it's mostly sweet and herbal. It's a medium drink at about 12% ABV once mixed.
How much alcohol is in a Dark and Stormy?
About 12% ABV after mixing with ice, about as strong as a glass of wine.
How do I make a pitcher of Dark and Stormys?
For 6 drinks, mix 10¼ oz dark rum in a jug and chill it. Top each glass with ginger beer as you serve, so it stays fizzy.
What glass do you serve a Dark and Stormy in?
A highball glass.