What's the best way to make a "Dark and Stormy?"

[HMT2]

Ok, occasionally I have weighed in here in connection to matters on which I am less qualified than many of you. But on this subject I can speak with confidence.

I would disagree with those who say that any dark rum will do. Myers, for example, makes a horrible D&S. Goslings is the default choice and for good reason - it just goes particularly well with ginger beer. An excellent and higher-end alternative is Mount Gay XO. It adds an oaky flavour that is really quite satisfying.

As for the correct preparation: The practice of pouring the ginger beer first and the rum on top is a matter of presentation only. The dark rum floating like a storm cloud on top of the comparatively lighter coloured ginger beer speaks to the name of the drink. Ultimately as others have said, mix it up to enjoy the way it was meant to taste - or take a good pull off the rum first if it's been a tough day on the water.

There is no right answer for the amount of rum, other than to say it should be no less than 1:3 with the ginger beer. 1:2 is excellent. You should drink it wth lots of ice which will cut the rum anyway. A weak D&S is just kind of a cloying sweet drink (which may be Gunni's problem).

There is some question about the amount of lime to add. Many cocktail bar versions use quite a bit more lime than necessary which changes the character of the drink. A good squeeze from a decent sized lime wedge (which remains in the drink) is all that is required.

One of the things that makes this drink truly fun is the selection of ginger beer. There are so many out there and most are regional so extensive experimentation is warranted, both at home and when traveling. I tend to look for a strongly spicy variety and try to avoid those that are sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup. (That stuff will kill you). One rather high-end suggestion is "Fever Tree". Check out: http://www.fever-tree.com/ginger-beer

Lastly is the issue of snacks to accompany. I would never normally eat cheezies (Americans call them cheese doodles?) but in Canada we have a brand called Hawkins that make a perfect accompaniment for the D&S. Hey, nobody's perfect.
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Ok you've convinced me I'll head to the liquor store tomorrow (can't buy hard liquor by the bottle on Sunday's in Texas) and buy some Goslings and give it a whirl. Do love the fever tree ginger beer though and I'm partial to pistachios with my D&S

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I would disagree with those who say that any dark rum will do. Myers, for example, makes a horrible D&S. Goslings is the default choice and for good reason - it just goes particularly well with ginger beer. An excellent and higher-end alternative is Mount Gay XO. It adds an oaky flavour that is really quite satisfying.
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Funny you should say that. When I made mine with Goslings, I was very satisfied. Somebody gifted me with a bottle of Myers and after a few D&S with Myers, I haven't returned. The bottle is still rather full. Perhaps that is the reason! I'm glad you pointed that out.

 

[Reg M]

We have a Catalina in the club named "Dark and Stormy". I'll have to pass along the recipe when you figure it out.

Having lived many years in Bermuda where the Dark & Stormy was invented I can tell you if you have someone mix them two different ways, assuming the ratio remains the same, you will probably not notice a difference except for the fact that that first sip after the rum has been poured after the ginger beer may taste a bit stronger, however, the rum soon disapates in the ginger beer. Either way you will enjoy the drink and if the first one is strong enough you'll never notice a difference in the subsequent ones.

 

[chrisings]

My .02, I too have had the original, stumbled out of the Swizzle Inn more than once. For it to be a true Dark and Stormy you must use Goslings Black Seal rum and Barritt's Ginger Beer and the more rum the better. That being said I've used other rums and other sodas too and they make a fine cocktail but it just doesn't taste the same and it's not a Dark and Stormy. There is difference between Bermuda ginger beer and Jamaican ginger beer, do a side by side taste test (yup, we've done that) and you can definitely tell. The best Dark and Stormy I've had state side, aside from on my own boat, was at the Middletown Tavern in Annapolis.

 

[Ukeluthier]

Having consumed many a Dark & Stormy at the St. Georges Dinghy and Sports Club during my layover after completing the Annapolis to Bermuda race in my old cutter a number of years back, I can attest that Goslings Black Seal is the only rum to use for a proper D&S in the Bermudian tradition.

As to whether to stir before sipping... sipping first is not a problem for me, as my favorite drink is straight Goslings on the rocks with a twist of lemon.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

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As to whether to stir before sipping... sipping first is not a problem for me, as my favorite drink is straight Goslings on the rocks with a twist of lemon.

Yep- except I often just toss in a few chunks of ice. After asking several times, I can now get Black Seal here in town, instead of making a 70 mile round trip for it