The Dark and Stormy is a classic cocktail that originated in Bermuda in the early 20th century. The drink's history is closely tied to the island's rum production and the British Royal Navy.
Gosling's, a Bermudian rum producer, began exporting its Black Seal Rum to the United States in the late 1800s. The dark, rich rum became popular among American sailors and eventually made its way back to Bermuda.
According to legend, the Dark and Stormy was invented when a sailor combined Gosling's Black Seal Rum with ginger beer, a popular drink among British sailors to combat seasickness. The sailor commented that the color of the drink reminded him of a cloud "only a fool or a dead man would sail under," giving rise to the name "Dark and Stormy."
The Dark and Stormy quickly gained popularity in Bermuda and eventually spread to other parts of the world. Today, it is considered a classic cocktail and is enjoyed by rum enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike.
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Dark and Stormy
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gosling's Black Seal Rum
- 3-4 oz ginger beer - My favorite is Q Ginger Beer
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- Garnish: lime wedge
Instructions
Fill a highball glass with ice.
Pour the Gosling's Black Seal Rum over the ice.
Squeeze in the fresh lime juice.
Top with ginger beer, pouring it slowly down the side of the glass to create a layered effect.
Gently stir the drink to combine the ingredients slightly, while preserving the layered appearance.
Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim of the glass.
Serve the Dark and Stormy immediately, and enjoy the perfect balance of spicy ginger and rich, dark rum
Gosling's, the Bermudian rum producer behind the iconic Black Seal Rum, is known for its litigious approach to protecting the Dark and Stormy cocktail. The company has been involved in several legal battles to ensure that the drink is made exclusively with Gosling's Black Seal Rum and ginger beer.
In the 1970s, Gosling's began actively promoting the Dark and Stormy as a trademarked cocktail. The company asserted that the drink should only be made with Gosling's Black Seal Rum and ginger beer, and they started taking legal action against bars and restaurants that used other rum brands in their Dark and Stormy cocktails.
One notable case occurred in 2009 when Gosling's sued Pernod Ricard, the owner of the Malibu Rum brand. Pernod Ricard had published a recipe for a "Malibu Tropical Storm" cocktail, which Gosling's claimed was a direct infringement on their Dark and Stormy trademark. The case was eventually settled out of court, with Pernod Ricard agreeing to stop using the "Tropical Storm" name and to respect Gosling's trademark.
Gosling's has also been involved in legal disputes with other rum producers and bar owners. In 2015, the company sued a bar in New York City called "Dark 'N Stormy" for trademark infringement. The bar owners claimed that the name was a reference to the weather and not the cocktail, but ultimately agreed to change the bar's name to avoid a prolonged legal battle.
Gosling's aggressive approach to protecting the Dark and Stormy trademark has drawn criticism from some quarters of the bartending community, who argue that it stifles creativity and limits consumer choice. However, Gosling's maintains that protecting the integrity of the Dark and Stormy is essential to preserving the drink's heritage and ensuring that customers receive a consistent, high-quality experience.
Despite the legal controversies, the Dark and Stormy remains a beloved cocktail among rum enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. Gosling's Black Seal Rum, with its rich, dark flavor profile, is widely recognized as the key ingredient in creating an authentic Dark and Stormy experience.
As you mix up your own Dark and Stormy, take a moment to consider the complex history behind this simple yet iconic cocktail, and the lengths to which Gosling's has gone to protect its legacy.
As you sip your Dark and Stormy, take a moment to appreciate the drink's rich history and the role it has played in Bermuda's cultural identity. The cocktail's simple yet effective combination of flavors has made it a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by rum lovers around the world.
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