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Hibiscus Dark and Stormy Drink Recipe

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We can’t all live year ’round in the tropics, but we can bring the flavor of the tropics to us! This Hibiscus Dark and Stormy drink recipe is just the vibrant burst of tropical sunshine you need! And only 3 ingredients to boot!

Dark rum, spicy, floral hibiscus ginger beer and fresh lime juice is all it takes! So kick off your flip-flops, grab a chair and dream of toes in the sand, sea breezes and lapping azure waves.

It’s no secret that I am in love with Hibiscus; this flower is not only powerful in antioxidants, but it’s gorgeous, tinting everything you make with it a vibrant bright reddish pink! You might want to try my Healthy Hibiscus Margarita or this Minty Hibiscus Mojito, or this refreshing Passion Tea Lemonade.

Image of pretty crystal glass filled with bright red cocktail, a hibiscus dark and stormy rum cocktail. Lime half near drink, drink garnish with lime wedge and dried hibiscus flower.

I created this drink at the beginning of summer, but wasn’t been motivated to photograph this beautiful tropical drink until recently.

Perhaps it has something to do with all that is going on in our world this year. I am so sorry to mae you wait. You need this bright and beautiful Caribbean inspired beverage in your life!

Why is it called a Dark and Stormy?

The unofficial drink of Bermuda, it allegedly received its name from an old sailor who compared the dark and murky hue of the drink to that of dark storm clouds. Bermuda, where the Dark ‘n’ Stormy was invented, is known as the shipwreck capital of the world, with 300 identified vessels lying ruined at the bottom of the surrounding North Atlantic Ocean. (Source)

Top down shot of glass with hibiscus ginger beer, rum and lime with a half a lime and hibiscus flower.

What is in a Dark and Stormy?

The classic Dark ‘n’ Stormy boasts dark rich rum and spicy ginger beer. Some, like me add fresh lime juice, because I love the tartness lime juice adds to the drink.

The only thing I do differently is make this cocktail/mocktail using Q Mixers Hibiscus Ginger Beer; it is spicy, bright and flowery with a striking pink hue, delicious all on it’s own but even better in this gorgeous cocktail!

This post is done in collaboration with QMixers, while I did receive free product as always the opinions and recommendations expressed are unbiased and my own.

Shot of Red cocktail in crystal glass, a Dark & Stormy cocktail with a can of Q Mixers Hibiscus Ginger Beer a lime and ice.

Bermuda’s own Gosling’s Black Seal Rum and Barritt’s Ginger Beer are the original brands of choice. Some bartenders (like me!) add lime juice as well, but it really isn’t needed. If you want this drink in its true Bermudian style, skip the lime.

Can You Make this a Mocktail?

You bet, it’s still amazingly refreshing and delicious, in fact many times I will make a mocktail version when I am not in the mood for any alcohol.

Crystal glass filled with bright red cocktail and crushed ice with lime wedge and half of a lime leaning against the side of the glass.

Is a Dark & Stormy a Mule?

While mules have taken the world by storm and are best known for using ginger beer, the spirit of choice in a classic moscow mule is vodka instead of rum. I am all about mixing things up, like this Colorado Whiskey Mule or a Pomegranate Mule. Call it what you want!

Is a Dark & Stormy a Girly Drink?

Considering the original dark and stormy was created by an old seaman, I would say it is absolutely not a girly drink!

Does the pink hued addition of hibiscus make it girly? Well, ladies love it and it is beautiful, but my guy, Mr. Fresh Cooky loves this drink, he will drink Hibiscus Ginger Beer straight from the can. So I’m going with no, it’s a beautiful Caribbean drink that guys and girls love!

Labeled ingredients for dark and stormy cocktail. left to right, cocktail glass, can of hibiscus ginger beer, limes cut in half, with hibiscus flowers.

How Do you Make this Hibiscus Rum Cocktail?

This cocktail or mocktail is super simple to make!

  1. Add ice to highball or old fashioned glass — I like mine crushed, cubes are fine!
  2. Pour in dark rum of choice (I like Plantation Original Dark Rum)
  3. Squeeze half a lime (or omit if you are going authentic on me)
  4. Top with Hibiscus Ginger Beer (Q Mixers is the only hibiscus ginger beer I know of, but you won’t be disappointed, this is delicious! You can buy online, or try Target, some Krogers and Walmart SuperCenters)
  5. Optional |Garnish with slice of lime and dried hibiscus flowers, which taste like a dried cranberry, lightly sweetened. They add a fabulous exotic touch to the drink.

What’s the Difference between Dried Hibiscus Flowers and Dried Sweetened Hibiscus Flowers?

  1. Dried Hibiscus Flowers are mostly used for tea and they are spectacular; if you have ever had a Passion Tea from Starbucks you have drank Hibiscus tea, so many healthy benefits from this edible flower! Lowers cholesterol, heart healthy and is high in antioxidants!
  2. Dried Sweetened Edible Hibiscus Flowers are sort of the texture of fruit leather, but the taste of tart cranberries lightly sweetened. They are fun, exotic and unique!
Top down shot of dark and stormy cocktail on rattan mat cocktail garnished with lime, hibiscus flower.

HIBISCUS GINGER BEER SUBSTITUTIONS

I realize we can’t all get our hands on Hibiscus Ginger Beer and that’s okay, I have a few ideas for work arounds.

That’s it, super simple dark and stormy cocktail or mocktail!!

Don’t forget to PIN to your favorite DRINKS Board!

Pinterest image of closeup shot of Dark and Stormy cocktail on platter garnished with slice of lime and dried hibiscus flower, half of lime leaning against the glass.

More Summer Drink Recipes

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crystal glass filled with red liquid, hibiscus ginger beer, dark rum and lime. with a wedge of lime. Garnished with a bamboo stick, lime and hibiscus flower

Hibiscus Dark & Stormy Recipe

Author: Kathleen Pope
5 from 6 votes
This Hibiscus Dark and Stormy recipe is just the vibrant burst of tropical sunshine we need! Dark rum, spicy, floral hibiscus ginger beer and fresh lime juice is all it takes!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Mocktails | Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cocktail or mocktail
Calories 364 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Add ice to old fashioned or highball glass.
  • Pour in dark rum, lime juice and top with Hibiscus Ginger Beer.
  • Garnish with lime wedge and dried hibiscus flower.

✱ Kathleen’s Tips

MOCKTAIL | Omit rum! Add more ginger beer
No Hibiscus Ginger Beer?

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Calories: 364 kcal Carbohydrates: 36 g Protein: 0.2 g Fat: 0.1 g Saturated Fat: 0.01 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02 g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01 g Sodium: 27 mg Potassium: 40 mg Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 33 g Vitamin A: 17 IU Vitamin C: 10 mg Calcium: 22 mg Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

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8 Comments

  1. I have always been a dark and stormy fan because of the rum but have never tried it before with ginger beer. I am pounding these at such a rate I might need to order rum by the case! Thanks for getting me hooked on this new cocktail:)

  2. 5 stars
    What a great idea to use grenadine as a sub– the first round I had enough of the ginger hibiscus beer, but we liked them so much made a second round with regular ginger beer with a splash of grenadine…. You saved me! We LOVED both versions! Cheers!