Bermuda’s cocktail culture is just as much a part of the island experience as its pink sandy beaches, turquoise waters and golf courses. Deeply rooted in rum traditions (as is the case in much of the Caribbean), the island is famous for two drinks in particular – The Dark ’n Stormy and the Rum Swizzle.
Both famous cocktails in Bermuda, they combine delicious flavours, a real taste of the Caribbean and a nod to the destination’s nautical roots. In this article, we take a look at the two cocktails, their history and how you can make them yourself, as well as a few suggestions of where to get one yourself when visiting Bermuda.
The Dark ’n Stormy: Bermuda’s Stormy Classic
Few cocktails are as closely tied to a single destination as the Dark’n Stormy is to Bermuda. This simple yet flavoursome drink is a staple across Bermuda’s bars, restaurants and beach clubs and something you must try when visiting.
Legend has it that the Dark’N Stormy originated among sailors stationed in Bermuda during the early 20th century. British naval officers were already fond of ginger beer, while there was plenty of local rum available. Combining the two felt almost natural and what they produced was a cocktail that was just as iconic back then as it is today.
Instantly recognisable for its layered appearance that mirrors the dramatic skies of a passing atlantic storm, it’s a cocktail that tastes as fiery as it looks. According to folklore, a sailor once remarked it resembled “the colour of a cloud only a fool or a dead man would sail under”. While a true trademarked Dark ‘n Stormy requires Gosling’s Black Seal rum to be authentic, you can substitute this for any dark rum if you don’t have any available.
How do you make a Dark ‘n Stormy cocktail?
The Dark ‘n Stormy is a blend of dark rum with fiery ginger beer and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Ingredients
- 50ml Goslings Black Seal Rum
- 100–120ml ginger beer
- Juice of half a lime (optional but commonly added)
- Ice
- Lime wedge, to garnish
Method
- Fill a tall glass (such as a highball) with plenty of ice.
- Pour in the ginger beer first.
- Slowly float the dark rum over the top of the ginger beer to create the drink’s signature layered “storm cloud” effect.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice if desired.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and serve.
The Rum Swizzle: Bermuda’s National Drink
If the Dark ’n Stormy® is Bermuda’s signature cocktail, the Rum Swizzle is its unofficial national drink! Bright, fruity, and dangerously easy to sip, this vibrant punch embodies the island’s social spirit and relaxed lifestyle, making it perfect to relax with on holiday.
The Rum Swizzle is traditionally made using a combination of dark rum and amber rum, blended with pineapple juice, orange juice, triple sec, and a dash of bitters. The result is a balanced cocktail that mixes citrus sweetness with warm rum spice.
The Rum Swizzle has roots dating back to the 1700s when Caribbean rum punches were stirred using branches from the Caribbean swizzle stick tree. These natural sticks were twirled rapidly between the palms to mix the drink, a technique that gave the cocktail its name.
One of the most famous places to try the drink is the historic Swizzle Inn. Established in 1932 in a historic roadside inn, this lively pub proudly claims to be the birthplace of the Rum Swizzle and is well known for the phrase: “Swizzle in, swagger out.”
How do you make a Rum Swizzle?
A blend of rum, fruit juices, triple sec, bitters and ice, the Rum Swizzle is a fruity and flavoured cocktail. Many Bermudian bars still prepare the drink with a traditional “swizzle stick” branch, creating the frothy, well-blended texture that makes the cocktail so distinctive.
Ingredients
- 50ml Goslings Black Seal Rum
- 25ml amber rum
- 50ml orange juice
- 50ml pineapple juice
- 15ml triple sec
- 2–3 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Ice
- Orange slice or cherry, to garnish
Method
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the dark rum, amber rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, triple sec and bitters.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with an orange slice or cherry.
So whether you’re heading to the sandy shores of Bermuda this year and want to indulge in their classic tipple, or if you just want to make it for yourself, this should help you do both. Remember to try and use Goslings Black Seal rum if you can and drink responsibly, they taste so great it can be easy to get carried away!
Been inspired to make one yourself? Or visit the island for a truly authentic cocktail? Find out more about Bermuda here.
