Ginger Beer and Rum Drinks: 4 Popular Cocktails

The traditional cocktail made with ginger beer and rum is called a Dark 'n Stormy. As most rum drinks are, the Dark 'n Stormy and other rum and ginger beer cocktails are tropical drinks that evoke the flavors of the Caribbean.

Dark 'n Stormy Cocktail

So the story goes, combining ginger beer and rum in a cocktail first occurred in Bermuda right after World War I. It was meant to mimic the appearance of a storm blowing in off the sea. The official name for the cocktail, which is frequently referred to as Bermuda's national drink, was Dark 'n Stormy. It has since been trademarked by Gosling Brothers Limited. To be legally called Dark 'n Stormy, the ingredients must include Gosling's Black Seal Rum, and the proportions and directions in the recipe must be precisely followed. However, you can make a similar version without the trademark - the Dark and Stormy which uses any dark rums.

Ingredients

• Ice
• 1½ ounces Gosling's black seal rum
• Ginger beer
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a collins glass with ice.
2. Add the rum. Top off with the ginger beer.
3. Garnish with the lime wedge

Dark Stormy Mojito

This is a simple and quick variation on the original mojito recipe.

Ingredients

• 10 mint leaves
• ¾ ounce simple syrup
• ¾ ounce dark rum
• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice
• 3 ounces ginger beer

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the mint leaves and the syrup. Muddle.
2. Add the dark rum, lime juice, and ice. Shake.
3. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with the ginger beer and stir. Garnish with additional mint if desired.

Caribbean Mule

A typical Moscow mule has vodka and ginger beer, but this Caribbean version uses passion fruit, dark rum, and ginger beer.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces dark rum
• ½ ounce passion fruit puree
• ½ ounce lime juice
• Ice
• 3 ounces ginger beer
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the rum, passion fruit puree, and lime juice.
2. Add ice and shake.
3. Strain into a mule cup filled with ice.
4. Add the ginger beer and stir.
5. Garnish with the lime wedge.

Ginger Peach Fizz

The flavor of dark rum is the perfect complement to peaches in this tasty cocktail.

Ingredients

• 2 peach slices

• ¾ ounce lime juice

• ¾ ounce simple syrup

• 1½ ounces dark rum

• Ice

• 4 ounces ginger beer

• Mint sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the peach slices.
2. Add the lime juice, simple syrup, rum, and ice. Shake.
3. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top off with the ginger beer. Stir.
4. Garnish with the mint sprig.

Mixers for Rum and Ginger Beer

Want to make variations on the Dark and Stormy? Then try adding ¾ to 1 ounce of the following mixers:

• Lime juice
• Lemon juice
• Orange juice
• Cranberry juice
• Curaçao
• Coffee liqueur
• Mango puree
• Guava puree
• Passion fruit puree
• Pineapple juice
• Blackberry puree
• Chambord
• Amaretto

Mix Your Own Ginger Beer and Rum Cocktails

If the taste of ginger beer mixed with rum sounds intriguing, instead of following a prescribed recipe, just fill a tall glass to the brim with ice and pour in a shot or two of rum. Ginger beer and rum is a food-friendly combination, so serve a bottle of ginger beer on the side and add it to the rum and ice at your discretion until you discover the perfect balance for your palate. Instead of feeling dark or stormy, you may well end up feeling closer to light and sunny. Next, explore some white rum cocktails and see how they compare. And if you'd prefer a bit spicier rum cocktail, mix up some Captain Morgan drinks instead.