10 Best Rums For A Cocktail Just Like A Dark 'N' Stormy

Ah, the Dark 'n' Stormy. Who doesn't like this simple yet refreshing cocktail? Liqour.com states it requires only three ingredients (ginger beer, dark rum, and lime), but it's the rum that really makes a difference. Legally a Dark 'n' Stormy must be crafted with Gosling's Black Seal. The brand trademarked the drink back in 1991 and has sued other brands trying to take its place. So, if a cocktail has all the same ingredients but does not include Gosling's Black Seal rum, it's not a real Dark 'n' Stormy. But, maybe, you actually make a Dark and Stormy margarita? In our case, that's exactly what we're looking for. We're all about rum cocktails and curious about which spirits to put in a cocktail that's similar to a Dark 'N' Stormy in flavor (but isn't one), and why they work so well. 

That's why we brought in the experts. Jahdé Marley is a Brooklyn-based sommelier and bartender with a focus on Caribbean rum and on "lesser represented communities, regions, grapes, and fruit ferments." Expanding the knowledge about and access to the field of spirits is especially important due to rum's history. So, we sat down with our expert to get the scoop on the 10 best rums for a cocktail just like a Dark 'n' Stormy.

The Rhum J.M brand was founded in 1845 by a man named Jean-Marie Martin, who also gave his initials to name the rum brand. The distillery, which is located at the foot of the Mt. Pelée volcano on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, has reinvented itself many times over the years. Today it is a leader as a no-waste distillery. The Rhum J.M V.S.O.P., one of the brand's range of rums, is first aged in new American oak for three years before it finishes in both ex-bourbon and French oak casks.

"This is an Agricole rum, which is made from fresh sugar cane in place of molasses," says Marley. "The aging process allows the oak to carry spicy, robust flavors, while the Rhum itself has notes of toffee and spiced butter." The cinnamon in this Agricole rum adds a spice that could be used to make a Sailor's Ale, a play on a Dark 'n' Stormy meets shandy with dark beer, ginger syrup, and lime juice. We're salivating just thinking about it.

Smith & Cross is known for its potent pot-still rum from Jamaica. The brand's roots date back to 1788 with historic underground cellars by Thames Street in London. It is made with only Wedderburn and Plummer pot stills that gives the rum a fruity but spicy flavor profile. "This rum is for a more experienced drinker and lovers of the funk," says Marley. "It's best used as the main ingredient in a simple cocktail." 

The Smith & Cross brand recommends a cocktail they call "The Doctor," mixing their rum with Swedish Punsch and lime juice, or the "Million," which consists of lemon and Angostura bitters. Both rum cocktails keep things simple while allowing the spirit to shine. But if you're hankering for some ginger beer to be used in an update on the Dark 'n' Stormy, the Craft Rum Club says this can be done simply by making a daiquiri consisting of Smith & Cross and ginger beer with an orange and juniper infusion. 

Equiano Rum has a unique history starting with the man who created it. Olaudah Equiano was born in Africa in the mid-1700s and was later enslaved in the Caribbean. He eventually sailed to the United Kingdom where he bought his freedom thanks to selling rum on the side. Today, the Equiano brand prides itself on being the "world's first African and Caribbean rum." The Equiano Light uses sugar cane juice rum from Africa and blends it with rum from the Caribbean that is aged in molasses. "This rum is all about balance and floating flavors," says Marley. "It has notes of vanilla and mango."

This rum is definitely one of the 10 best rums for a cocktail just like a Dark 'n' Stormy, and the brand knows it, as it came up with its take. A similar cocktail, called "Gold and Stormy," uses its rum mixed with ginger beer, lime juice, and wedge for a garnish. 

Striped Lion Distilling originated in New Jersey thanks to a husband-and-wife duo who had a flair for good rum. Let's talk about the brand's Striped Lion Cinnamon Rum. It's an interesting bottle made with pure, single rum that has been fermented from molasses and then distilled through real cinnamon sticks. Who doesn't love a rum that is naturally spiced to perfection? "This rum from New Jersey adds just the right amount of spice to a cocktail without overpowering the drink," says Marley. "Try this rum as the main ingredient or as a float in a cocktail." Speaking of, a different take on Dark 'n' Stormy float also comes to mind. 

The Striped Lion brand has many of its own craft rum cocktails, including the house punch. This baby is made with orange, lime, spiced simple syrup, and ginger beer, which we think sounds kind of heavenly, especially when combined with a cinnamon-spiced rum. 

The journey of Chairman's Reserve started back in 1931 when its distillery was first founded in the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. The Chairman's Reserve rum launched in 1999, and the brand has since grown its collection, including Chairman's Reserve Spiced. Coffey and pot stills are used to make this rum, which is then aged in ex-bourbon barrels with spices added in later to give that spicy good flavor.

Marley says that the spices used, including star Bois Bandé bark and cinnamon, help add depth: "The warm flavors, a signature of St. Lucia and the great Caribbean, play a cameo with spicy ginger in dishes and drinks across the region." Flaviar states these spicy components are ideal when adding in some ginger beer and serving over ice. You can always add a squeeze of lime to these same ingredients, which gives you a fun riff on the traditional Dark 'n' Stormy without worrying about being sued.