Dark and Stormy Cocktail

I love rum. Its flavor profile makes it work so well in so many different ways.

Take the Classic Dark and Stormy. It’s made with dark rum and has a very bold taste. It’s typically considered a warm weather cocktail with its roots in the white sands of Bermuda. It’s a staple in the Caribbean where its spicy effervescence is a great foil to the heat. It has enough of a ginger kick to soothe an upset stomach too.

But think about it. The heart of a Dark and Stormy is that bold bite of ginger. I think ginger is a great flavor to accompany all the tastes and textures typically found on the Thanksgiving plate. So I have decided to include this cocktail on my Thanksgiving menu. It’s hardly traditional. But with so many traditional dishes showing up on your Thanksgiving plate year after year, I think it’s fun to throw in a few unexpected treats as well.

Sometimes you’ll see this drink called a Dark ‘N Stormy. So just to get all the facts and legalities straight I think I should mention that as the unofficial drink of Bermuda, when this cocktail bears the Dark ‘N Stormy moniker it’s actually a  trademarked drink and must be made with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum. But I like Bacardi in this, so I called mine a Dark AND Stormy just to cover my butt.

A good Dark and Stormy requires a deft balance between deeply rich rum and the super spice of ginger. I like mine with plenty of stormy bite too. So I often add a slice or two of raw ginger and a hint of sweetened ginger syrup. These are optional. As are the limes. In fact no true Bermudian would put lime into this cocktail, but I’m not Bermudian. So mine packs a punch of sour citrus. I think it adds to the stormy aspect of a Dark and Stormy.

I’m not the only person who thinks the Dark and Stormy is terrific little tipple either. So I have included three versions of this classic cocktail for you to compare. Happy Thanksgiving. GREG