Starring spiced rum & ginger beer, the 3-ingredient Dark and Stormy Cocktail sounds ominous, but it’s a breeze to make and goes down smooth!

The Dark and Stormy Cocktail – an unstirred drink in which the dark rum floats above the light ginger beer, giving off a moody, storm-cloud-in-a-glass vibe! This is an easy drink to master, made from a tantalizing trio of spiced rum, ginger beer and a wedge of lime. This carbonated Dark and Stormy recipe is refreshing cocktail perfection!

dark and stormy cocktail in a glass garnished with a lime wedge on a cocktail pick with recipe name at the bottom

Five Reasons to Love this Caribbean Cocktail!

There are so many reasons to love this Dark & Stormy Cocktail recipe! 1) RUM. 2) It’s BEAUTIFUL! The way the unmixed drink separates and the dark rum floats to the top…it looks moody, cloudy, and spectacular! 3) It’s a quick learn – with only three ingredients, you’ll make this drink like a pro in no time! 4) The cocktail’s foundation is ginger beer, which is tangier than soda water or tonic and lightens up the heat of the spiced rum (much like it does the vodka in a Moscow Mule). 5) The Dark & Stormy is sweet and tangy and dang delicious! You’ll love it!

Other Recipes that Use Spiced Rum

A Spiced Blackberry Cocktail is a refreshing drink featuring spiced rum in a starring role!
Slow-Cooker Hot Buttered Rum is a classic spiced rum drink that can be simmered in a crock pot all day long. It’s perfect for holiday parties!

Ingredients

ginger beer, spiced rum, and lime wedges on a counter

Rum: We’re using a dark, spiced rum for a full flavor and rich color.

Mixer: A bottle of ginger beer will give the drink a light color and fizzy, tangy taste that mixes perfectly with the spiced rum!

Citrus: A lime wedge adds a touch of tropical citrus flavor to this drink. (Candied ginger makes a good substitute if needed.)

How to Make a Dark and Stormy Drink

STEP ONE: Pour the ginger beer into a glass filled with ice.

ginger beer being poured into a tall cocktail glass

STEP TWO: Squeeze a lime wedge into the beer. Drop the squeezed lime into the glass or use a fresh lime wedge on the rim for garnish.

lime wedge being squeezed into a glass with ice and ginger beer

STEP THREE: Slowly pour 2 ounces of spiced rum over the ice. This allows the rum to float to the top, giving off a storm cloud appearance. Serve layered, but remember to stir the drink before enjoying.

spiced rum being poured over a glass with ice, ginger beer, and lime juice

Tips for Success

Pour the rum into the glass of ice first, then add the ginger beer slowly so it drizzles down under the rum and lets it form a “storm cloud.”
Don’t mistake ginger beer for ginger ale – one cannot substitute for the other. Ginger ale is simply a carbonated ginger-flavored soda.
Offer simple syrup as an addition for those who like a sweeter cocktail.
A lime wedge can serve as a garnish on the glass, lime juice can be added to the cocktail, and a candied ginger slice can be used as the garnish. Both are delicious options!

side view of a dark and stormy cocktail next to a bottle of spiced rum

What is Ginger Beer?

Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic, carbonated drink with a tart, tangy taste. It’s made from ginger root, sugar, and water. Though it is quite refreshing on its own, its tangy sweetness also makes it a great mixer for trying new alcohols.

Ginger Beer is a standard mixer for many mocktails and cocktails, most notably for the entire catalog of “Mule” drinks. A Moscow Mule is ginger beer + vodka; a Kentucky Mule is ginger beer + bourbon; a Mexican Mule is ginger beer + tequila; etc.

What’s the Difference between a Dark & Stormy Cocktail and a Caribbean Mule?

Not much! They are VERY similar, both featuring rum, ginger beer, and lime. A Caribbean Mule uses dark rum (and sometimes white rum, pineapple rum, or coconut rum) and a little simple syrup to enhance the tropical sweetness, while our Dark and Stormy recipe uses spiced rum infused with herbs and spices for a bold, silky experience.

looking down into a dark and stormy cocktail in a tall glass with straws

Other Marvelous Mule Drink Recipes

*This post originally posted on 08/22/2014.