The Ted Perez Cocktail of the Week is the Dark ‘N' Stormy - a highball style drink popular in many British Commonwealth countries. This delicious refresher is a combination of dark rum and ginger beer. When poured correctly, the rum rests atop the ginger beer to create its beautiful layered effect. An interesting fact about the Dark ‘N' Stormy is that it's one of very few cocktails to have a trademarked name. In fact, the Gosling family has patented the exact combination of the ingredients; 2oz of Gosling's Black Seal Rum and a splash of ginger beer (label unspecified).
Ted Perez, deviating slightly from these guidelines, sampled the cocktail with a combination of three carefully chosen ginger beers and an additional rum label (Whaler's Rum). The chosen ginger beers included: Bundaberg (the most popular choice in Australia), Maine Root and Fentimans.
Ted Perez's Variation:
2 oz dark rum
4 oz ginger beer
A slice of lime for garnish
Goslings Black Seal Rum w/ Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Good, strong ginger taste, however, it needed more 'bite' from the ginger beer. The variation was sweet without being overwhelming, which added to the overall drinkability. Great "lunchtime" cocktail. Overall: B+
Whaler's Rum w/ Maine Root Ginger Beer
This variation also had a good ginger taste. In addition, it had a strong ginger spice that toned down the rum bite. Great complimenting ginger beer for the rum. Overall: A-
Whaler's Rum w/ Fentimans Ginger Beer
The ginger beer wasn't as strong here. Also, there was little to no ginger spice. This variation was overly sweet in comparison to the other variations. Overall: C+
The Verdict:
The combination of Whaler's Rum and Maine Root Ginger Beer offered the best overall taste balance, while maintaining the ginger beer spiciness and a slight reduction of the bite from the rum. The Maine Root Ginger Beer may have gone very nicely with Gosling's Black Seal as well.