Dark 'N' Stormy
Encyclopedia
A Dark and Stormy is an alcoholic highball
style cocktail popular in many British Commonwealth countries, such as Bermuda
and Australia
. It consists of dark rum and ginger beer
over ice
. It is optionally accompanied by a slice of lime
. The local rum is usually used, for example, Goslings in Bermuda
or Bundaberg
in Australia.
of Gosling's Brothers Limited. It is described as "Bermuda's National Drink", a description often applied to the Rum Swizzle
as well.
, Australia
, Bundaberg Distilling Company Pty Ltd, distillers of Bundaberg Rum
have produced a pre-mixed version of the Dark and Stormy since 1993. It is sold in stubbies and 375ml cans. The ginger beer component is produced locally by Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
Pty Ltd.
to Newport, RI
to Annapolis, MD
and beyond have Dark N Stormy's on their menu, made with various brands of Ginger Beer.
, a light rum
.
Another variation on the Dark 'n' Stormy, called the Ginger Bush, swaps Rum for Bourbon.
When ginger beer is unavailable, beer may be substituted. This is known as a Small Craft Advisory
after the National Weather Service
severe weather warning.
For several years, Gosling's has been a sponsor of the annual yachting regatta Chester Race Week in Chester, Nova Scotia
. The Dark 'n' Stormy is the special drink of the night each year, made with ginger beer brewed by local Halifax, NS brewery Propeller Brewery.
Highball
Highball is a type of alcoholic drinkHighball may also refer to:* Highball glass, a drinking vessel* Highball Wilson , professional baseball pitcher* the British Highball bouncing bomb project from World War 2...
style cocktail popular in many British Commonwealth countries, such as Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It consists of dark rum and ginger beer
Ginger beer
Ginger beer is a carbonated drink that is flavored primarily with ginger and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners.-History:Brewed ginger beer originated in England in the mid-18th century and became popular in Britain, the United States, and Canada, reaching a peak of popularity in the...
over ice
Ice
Ice is water frozen into the solid state. Usually ice is the phase known as ice Ih, which is the most abundant of the varying solid phases on the Earth's surface. It can appear transparent or opaque bluish-white color, depending on the presence of impurities or air inclusions...
. It is optionally accompanied by a slice of lime
Lime (fruit)
Lime is a term referring to a number of different citrus fruits, both species and hybrids, which are typically round, green to yellow in color, 3–6 cm in diameter, and containing sour and acidic pulp. Limes are a good source of vitamin C. Limes are often used to accent the flavors of foods and...
. The local rum is usually used, for example, Goslings in Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
or Bundaberg
Bundaberg Rum
Bundaberg Rum is a dark rum produced in Bundaberg, Australia, often referred to as "Bundy".The Bundaberg Distilling Company owns its own cola-producing facility, which supplies the cola for its ready-to-drink Bundaberg Rum and Cola products.-History:...
in Australia.
Bermuda
In Bermuda, Dark 'n' Stormy is a registered trademarkTrademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
of Gosling's Brothers Limited. It is described as "Bermuda's National Drink", a description often applied to the Rum Swizzle
Rum Swizzle
A Rum Swizzle is a rum-based cocktail often called "Bermuda's national drink". The Royal Gazette has referred to it as "the legendary rum swizzle...perfect for sharing and irresistible to locals and tourists alike" In addition to providing the "swizzle" portion of the 1933 swizzle stick product...
as well.
Australia
Bermuda has played host to Australian rugby players in its annual Classic Tournament since the early 1970s. It is popularly believed that following one of these tournaments, the cocktail was brought back to Australia, where it also proved popular. In QueenslandQueensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Bundaberg Distilling Company Pty Ltd, distillers of Bundaberg Rum
Bundaberg Rum
Bundaberg Rum is a dark rum produced in Bundaberg, Australia, often referred to as "Bundy".The Bundaberg Distilling Company owns its own cola-producing facility, which supplies the cola for its ready-to-drink Bundaberg Rum and Cola products.-History:...
have produced a pre-mixed version of the Dark and Stormy since 1993. It is sold in stubbies and 375ml cans. The ginger beer component is produced locally by Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Pty Ltd is an Australian-based, beverages manufacturer in Bundaberg, Queensland. Bundaberg Brewed Drinks uses traditional brewing processes to produce non-alcoholic products. Bundaberg Brewed Drinks are exported to over 30 countries....
Pty Ltd.
United States
The Dark N Stormy gained popularity through the sailing community up and down the east coast of the US, having been brought home by various sailors who frequented Bermuda. Most bars in port towns from Portland, MEPortland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
to Newport, RI
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
to Annapolis, MD
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
and beyond have Dark N Stormy's on their menu, made with various brands of Ginger Beer.
Variations
While the Dark 'n' Stormy is traditionally made with dark rum, one variation nicknamed the Light 'n' Stormy uses 10 Cane10 Cane
10 Cane is a premium light rum produced by Moët Hennessy. 10 Cane was founded in 2005, as Moët Hennessy's first brand developed in-house rather than acquired. Moët Hennessy's other brands include Veuve Clicquot, Hennessy, Belvedere and Moët & Chandon....
, a light rum
Light rum
Light rum , is a dry, light-bodied rum, light in color and lightly sweet in flavor. It is produced from sugarcane juice and molasses, and normally has a short aging period....
.
Another variation on the Dark 'n' Stormy, called the Ginger Bush, swaps Rum for Bourbon.
When ginger beer is unavailable, beer may be substituted. This is known as a Small Craft Advisory
Small craft advisory
A small craft advisory is a type of warning issued by the National Weather Service in the United States, most frequently in coastal areas. It is issued when winds have reached, or are expected to reach within 12 hours, a speed marginally less than gale force....
after the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
severe weather warning.
For several years, Gosling's has been a sponsor of the annual yachting regatta Chester Race Week in Chester, Nova Scotia
Chester, Nova Scotia
Chester is an incorporated Canadian village located in and part of Nova Scotia's Chester Municipal District in the southeastern part of Lunenburg County.-History:...
. The Dark 'n' Stormy is the special drink of the night each year, made with ginger beer brewed by local Halifax, NS brewery Propeller Brewery.