Dark and Stormy

The float technique is what makes a Dark and Stormy visually striking — pour the rum slowly over the back of a bar spoon to keep it sitting on top of the ginger beer. The layers will mix as you drink, changing the flavor profile from sip to sip. Use a spicy, quality ginger beer — Fever-Tree or Gosling's own brand.

Gosling's Black Seal rum is the traditional choice — it's a Bermudian rum with a rich, molasses-forward flavor that stands up to the ginger beer. The lime juice is small in volume but essential; it brightens the drink and cuts through the sweetness. Use a ginger beer with real ginger heat, not a sweet ginger ale.

The Dark and Stormy is the national drink of Bermuda and is closely associated with Gosling's rum, which has trademarked the name when made with their Black Seal rum. The drink's origins are murky, but it's been a Bermudian staple since at least the early 20th century. The name comes from the drink's appearance — dark rum floating on pale ginger beer, like a storm cloud over the sea.

Light and Stormy

Use white rum instead of dark rum. The result is lighter and more refreshing — closer to a Moscow Mule in character. Add a few dashes of Angostura bitters to add complexity.

Mezcal Stormy

Replace the dark rum with 2 oz of mezcal. The smokiness of the mezcal adds a dramatic new dimension to the ginger beer — earthy, complex, and deeply satisfying. Add a pinch of salt to the lime juice.