The dark and stormy is one of the very first cocktails I ever learned to make — and also one of the easiest. Made by layering dark rum and refreshing ginger beer together in a glass, it got its name because the dark rum floating on top gives it a cloudy appearance that mimics the appearance of storm clouds.

With only two ingredients (plus a garnish of lime, if you like), this classic cocktail from Bermuda requires no special cocktail equipment, shaking, or straining. It’s the perfect, easy cocktail to make anytime, and it’s also great if you’re serving a crowd. Here’s everything you need to know about making a dark and stormy cocktail.

Why you’ll love it

Key ingredients in a Dark and Stormy

Helpful swaps

While Goslings Black Seal rum and Barritts ginger beer are the traditional ingredients in a dark and stormy, you can use other brands of dark rum or ginger beer (Bundaberg or Fever Tree make great ginger beers).

Dark and Stormy

Serves 1

Ice

4 ounces cold ginger beer

1/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice (from 1/4 medium lime, optional)

1 1/2 ounces dark rum, preferably Goslings Black Seal

Lime wheel or wedge, for garnish

1. Fill a highball or old-fashioned glass with ice. Pour in 4 ounces cold ginger beer and 1/4 ounce lime juice if desired. Slowly pour in 1 1/2 ounces dark rum. Garnish with a lime wheel or lime wedge. Stir until combined before sipping.

(Christine Gallary is senior recipe editor for TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to editorial@thekitchn.com.)

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