Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Lydia Martin
A simple mix of ginger beer and rum with a lime squeeze makes a real treat– Dark’ N’ Stormy.
However, every variation gives a unique flavor, which depends on the ginger beer used and the type of rum you use.
So if you want to level up this classic cocktail, check out the best rums for Dark and Stormy for an ultimate drinking experience.
Top 10 Great Tasting Rum For Dark & Stormy Cocktails
10. Pusser’s Blue Label Rum
Average Price: approx. $27 per 750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 54.5% ABV
Why We Like It: Made from a blend of five Guyana and Trinidadian rum, this sipping rum, Pusser’s Blue Label, is also best served in a Rum & Coke and Dark and Stormy cocktail.
It delivers full-bodied flavors of vanilla, coffee, ginger syrup, caramel, spice, and plum with nutmeg, oak, and vanilla spice aromas.
This is a good rum with a nice spicy character and a good balance between its sweet and hot oak flavors.
Expect naturally rich and full flavors with no flavoring agents used.
9. Coruba Dark Jamaican Rum
Average Price: approx. $20 per 750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: One of the best rums is from Coruba, featuring the traditional Jamaican rum, which is perfect as a cocktail mixer.
And speaking of cocktails, Coruba Dark Rum is a great addition to the delicious Dark ‘N’ Stormy drink, mixed with your favorite ginger beer and lime juice.
The flavors come from its aging process using heavily charred ex-bourbon barrels. So, expect a robust flavor with hints of cinnamon spice.
8. Gosling’s Black Seal Rum
Average Price: approx. $20 per 750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, introduced by the Gosling brothers, has the trademark “Dark ‘N’ Stormy” cocktail.
Ginger beer mixed with Goslings Black Seal Rum makes for a fine cocktail, thanks to its black rum and black pepper flavors that won’t surely disappoint.
If you want to experience the classic flavors of Darn’ N’ Stormy, mix it with the Gosling’s rum, and experience what the British soldiers savor while on Bermuda.
7. Hamilton Jamaica Black
Average Price: approx. $24.99 per 750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 46.5% ABV
Why We Like It: If you want the old-fashioned traditional Dark ‘N’ Stormy cocktail, you must try this classic dark rum from Hamilton.
This blend of pot still rum is aged for around five years using ex-bourbon casks, giving an intense aroma of the classic Jamaican rum with cinnamon notes.
“The first time I played the Masters, I was so nervous, I drank a bottle of rum before I teed off. I shot the happiest 83 of my life.”
— Chi Chi Rodriguez, Puerto Rican Professional Golfer.
Its finish featuring vegetal and ripe banana notes makes for a great cocktail and one of the best Mai Tai and Stormy ingredients to use.
You will find this spirit satisfyingly good and impressive among other dark rums.
6. Mount Gay Eclipse Rum
Average Price: approx. $23.99 per 750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: This features unique banana and vanilla notes with a combo of caramel, spice, and summer fruit on the nose.
On the palate, expect an oaky note with mellow burnt tones, giving light to medium-bodied character.
The hints of tropical fruits in Mount Gay Eclipse Rum are a great pairing to various cocktail recipes, specifically to a Dark ‘N’ Stormy and Mai Tai drink.
Read: Recommended Sipping Rums Below $50
5. Kraken Black Spiced Rum
Average Price: approx. $19 per 750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 35% ABV
Why We Like It: The vibrant and flavorful spices of Kraken Black Spiced Rum mix well with lime and ginger beer, adding a bit of spice to the Dark’ N’ Stormy drink.
This is a blend of aged rum using oak barrels, giving off spices such as ginger ale, chocolate, clove, black pepper, cinnamon, coffee, and a touch of vanilla.
Its finish is warm with a strong vanilla flavor.
The ginger flavor in Dark’ N’ Stormy complements the already strong flavor of the rum, creating a more intense and enticing flavor.
4. Plantation O.F.T.D
Average Price: approx. $31.99 per 750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 69% ABV
Why We Like It: The nose of this rum features intense flavors of plum, coffee, orange, and jam.
The palate opens with a burst of chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, oak, and molasses, then finishes with notes of clove, dark chocolate, and caramel.
If you want to make a stronger Dark ‘N’ Stormy cocktail, Plantation O.F.T.D is one of those excellent rums to use due to its aroma and flavor, which are extremely well-suited to making tropical drinks.
Bartender’s Tip: Aside from Dark’ N’ Stormy, some recommended drinks include the Cobra’s Fang, Navy Grog, Old Fashioned, and Planters Punch.
3. Myers’s Jamaican Dark Rum
Average Price: approx. $23 per 750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: This readily available rum is full of classic spices like brown sugar and caramel. Mixing ginger beer with Myers’s Jamaican Dark Rum surely satisfies your sweet tooth.
But if you want a more balanced drink, mix this Jamaican rum [1] with ginger beer and sweet-and-spicy Reed’s brew to achieve the classic Dark and Stormy cocktail with a twist.
You’ll experience hints of sweet sugar cane, tobacco, honey, and leather before a rich dark chocolate character emerges with hints of brown sugar and smokiness.
2. Angostura 1824 Caribbean Rum
Average Price: approx. $64 per 750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: Angostura 1824 is a delightful and smooth blend of rums.
This award-winning rum undergoes its aging process in charred American oak casks.
So, it creates a fruity nutmeg aroma with rich molasses and vanilla.
The palate has orange zest, dried fruit, chocolate, smoky oak, and charred brown sugar and sugar cane notes.
The combination of flavors makes a flavorsome Dark ‘N’ Stormy drink with hints of Angostura bitters [2].
You can even sip it straight or on the rocks—with your favorite cigar.
1. Bacardi Reserva Ocho
Average Price: approx. $28.99 per 750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: This sipping rum gives pleasure to your taste buds, featuring the banana flavor–turning a classic Dark ‘N’ Stormy into a beach-ready drink with tropical flavors.
Splash some fresh lime juice, leave the lime wedge on the rim, and let the rum and ginger beer do the work to refresh your palate.
If you want a perfectly balanced Dark ‘N’ Stormy drink, we highly recommend using Bacardi Reserva Ocho, not just for its flavor but also for its versatility.
What is Dark & Stormy?
The authentic Dark ‘N’ Stormy [3] is a drink mixing Black Seal Rum from Gosling (by James Gosling and brothers) and ginger beer, rimmed with a lime wedge.
You can add a squeeze of lime or pineapple juice, a splash of angostura bitters, and simple syrup to give it more flavor.
You’ll find this a bit similar to Moscow Mule, but it incorporates a distinct ingredient.
The Best Dark & Stormy Recipe
Prep Time: 3 mins.
Total Time: 3 mins.
Ingredients:
- Lime/lemon wedge
- Ice
- 5oz ginger beer
- 2oz Bacardi Reserva Ocho
Instructions: In your highball glass, add ice cubes and ginger beer. Pour the rum on top to create a storm clouds effect, then garnish it with a lime/lemon wedge. Mix using your bar spoon and drink.
Serving: 1
FAQs Related to Best Rum for Dark and Stormy
What is a Dark and Stormy cocktail?
A Dark and Stormy is a classic cocktail made with dark rum, ginger beer, and lime juice, typically served over ice in a highball glass.
What makes a good rum for a Dark and Stormy?
A good rum for a Dark and Stormy should have rich, complex flavors that complement the spicy kick of ginger beer, with notes of molasses, caramel, and spices.
What type of rum is traditionally used in a Dark and Stormy?
Traditionally, a dark or black rum is used in a Dark and Stormy to impart depth of flavor and a bold, robust character to the cocktail.
Can I use any rum for a Dark and Stormy?
While dark rum is the traditional choice for a Dark and Stormy, you can experiment with different types of rum, such as aged or spiced rum, to customize the flavor profile to your liking.
What are some popular rum brands for making Dark and Stormy cocktails?
Popular rum brands for Dark and Stormy cocktails include Goslings Black Seal, Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, and Myers’s Original Dark Rum.
Is it important to use fresh lime juice in a Dark and Stormy?
Yes, fresh lime juice adds brightness and acidity to balance the sweetness of the rum and ginger beer, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the cocktail.
Should I use regular ginger beer or ginger ale in a Dark and Stormy?
It’s recommended to use ginger beer rather than ginger ale in a Dark and Stormy, as ginger beer has a stronger ginger flavor and spicier kick, which pairs better with the bold flavors of dark rum.
Can I garnish a Dark and Stormy with anything besides lime?
While lime is the traditional garnish for a Dark and Stormy, you can also experiment with other garnishes such as a slice of fresh ginger, a sprig of mint, or a twist of orange peel for added aroma and visual appeal.
Are there any variations to the classic Dark and Stormy recipe?
Yes, you can create variations of the Dark and Stormy by adding different fruit juices, flavored syrups, or bitters to customize the flavor profile and create unique twists on the classic cocktail.
In A Nutshell
If you want a perfect Dark ‘N’ Stormy, we suggest trying any of the best rums featured above.
Whether you want a lighter or stronger cocktail, you can choose from the bottles above and make a perfect cocktail refreshment according to your liking.
From the Pusser’s Blue Label Rum to our favorite Bacardi Reserva Ocho, you can expect your favorite Dark ‘N’ Stormy to be more flavorful and delicious.
References:
- https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/a28265582/jamaican-rum/
- https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210512-the-secret-history-of-angostura-bitters
- https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/bermuda-dark-n-stormy-cocktail-history/index.html
- https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/history-of-moscow-mule-cocktail-how-vodka-met-ginger-beer
