Crafted in the Caribbean waters, the Dark and Stormy recipe is a cocktail born out of necessity. In the region, rum is plentiful and readily available, which historically has made the Caribbean a favourite amongst travelling sailors. The Dark and Stormy itself is an embodiment of the cruel sea, and a ravishing recipe that has more than stood the test of time. The name the Dark ‘n Stormy, it was reportedly coined by a sailor who noted that it was the colour of a cloud only a fool or a dead man would sail under.

What makes the Dark and Stormy cocktail so iconic and popular, is the fact that is remarkably easy to make. What’s more, the majority of the ingredients you’ll likely have sitting in the kitchen cupboard already. The Dark and Stormy recipe calls for only three ingredients, albeit with a lot of spice. But don’t be mistaken, like any good cocktail recipe, there are dos and don’ts. No lime juice and no ginger ale, that’s the traditional method, but each to their own.

While it would be remiss for us to not mention the importance of Gosling’s on the history of the Dark and Stormy cocktail, in modern times, there are options. Here in Australia, rum is steadily growing in stature, with new distilleries popping up regularly. We love to hit up the locals, and in the wake of a pretty tough summer for our distillers and brewers, we encourage you to do the same.

Size: 700ml

ABV: 40%

Size: 700ml

Region: US Virgin Islands

ABV: 35%

Size: 700ml

Region: Indiana

ABV: 40%

Size: 750ml

Region: Venezuela

ABV: 40%

Size: 700ml

Region: Barbados

ABV: 40%

Size: 700ml

Region: Barbados

ABV: 40%

Size: 700ml

Region: Australia

ABV: 40%

Like we said, the Dark and Stormy recipe is one of the more simple in the bartender’s arsenal, but that doesn’t mean it is impervious to mistakes. Once you’ve collected your ingredients and got your station set up, you’re ready to rock and roll. Once again, we’ve gone with the International Bartenders Associations’ method for crafting the concoction.

Like we mentioned, just because the classic three-ingredient cocktail is simple, does not mean you can’t stuff it up. In fact, the fewer the ingredients, the more important it is to get them right. Here are the common mistakes people make when preparing a Dark and Stormy cocktail.