French For Cocktail: The First In a New Series [Dark & Stormy]
Anyone who slightly overdid it as a teenager with a particular type of alcohol will attest that it can be enough to put you off for life. For me it was rum. Until a maybe a year ago, I'd not touched the stuff (white rum aside) since I was 16, but I have a renewed love for it now having discovered the joys of a Dark & Stormy.
I love a cocktail or three. If you don't already know that, you're possibly new around here (so welcome!) and maybe you don't follow me on Instagram as they're quite a regular theme in my life.
For me a cocktail represents fun and celebration, so what's not to like? Those that know me, also know that I don't drink beer or wine (much to my husbands constant disappointment), but I do love fizz. Champagne if possible, but I also love Cremant, and will probably never turn down a glass of Prosecco or Cava. But cocktails? Cocktails are my jam.
So it made sense to introduce a regular cocktail feature to the blog, with a recipe of course, and it's also a fun way to showcase some lovely barware.
Each month there will be a recipe (classic, invented or reinvented) with a new brand sponsor.
Rather perfectly timed is the upcoming addition of bar tools to Made.com's Blaze collection, which I've used for this very first installment. The set of four brass finish tools includes a strainer, ice tongs, bottle opener and a spirit measure, housed on a pretty stand with a marble base.
I've agonised over what cocktail should be first. Something really fancy was my first thought, but then I decided that actually, keeping it pretty simple will mean you're more likely to try it for yourself. Especially if you're new to cocktails. I'll save fancy for Christmas.
This one is a crowd pleaser (unless you don't like ginger, in which case, come back next time). My husband likes these and he's not really much of a cocktail person. They're quick and easy to make, and don't require many ingredients.
So without further ado, here's my Dark & Stormy recipe, which was my drink of choice at our beloved local burger restaurant that's recently closed down, and inspired by their version.
What's nice about a Dark & Stormy is that it's fresh because of the lime juice, but the ginger beer gives it a certain spicy warmth, so it's great for all seasons.
Ice
40mls rum (I like to use a golden rum like Havana Club 3 Year Old Rum for this recipe, but you can use dark rum if you prefer)
150mls ginger beer (I use Old Jamaica, you could go more posh if you like)
Juice of one lime
Half to one teaspoon of sugar syrup (optional)
Angostura Bitters
Fresh grated ginger (optional for a more fiery version)
Slice of ginger and extra lime to garnish
Add a few cubes of ice to cocktail shaker, followed by the lime juice, rum, sugar syrup, and grated fresh ginger if using, shake and strain into a tumbler with plenty of ice.
Top with Ginger Beer and add three drops of Angostura Bitters
Garnish with a slice of fresh ginger and a wedge of lime. Enjoy!
This post is in collaboration with Made.com and features their Blaze Cocktail Shaker and bar tool set, and Ria Tumblers.
Drink responsibly folks!
I love a cocktail or three. If you don't already know that, you're possibly new around here (so welcome!) and maybe you don't follow me on Instagram as they're quite a regular theme in my life.
For me a cocktail represents fun and celebration, so what's not to like? Those that know me, also know that I don't drink beer or wine (much to my husbands constant disappointment), but I do love fizz. Champagne if possible, but I also love Cremant, and will probably never turn down a glass of Prosecco or Cava. But cocktails? Cocktails are my jam.
So it made sense to introduce a regular cocktail feature to the blog, with a recipe of course, and it's also a fun way to showcase some lovely barware.
Each month there will be a recipe (classic, invented or reinvented) with a new brand sponsor.
Rather perfectly timed is the upcoming addition of bar tools to Made.com's Blaze collection, which I've used for this very first installment. The set of four brass finish tools includes a strainer, ice tongs, bottle opener and a spirit measure, housed on a pretty stand with a marble base.
I've agonised over what cocktail should be first. Something really fancy was my first thought, but then I decided that actually, keeping it pretty simple will mean you're more likely to try it for yourself. Especially if you're new to cocktails. I'll save fancy for Christmas.
This one is a crowd pleaser (unless you don't like ginger, in which case, come back next time). My husband likes these and he's not really much of a cocktail person. They're quick and easy to make, and don't require many ingredients.
So without further ado, here's my Dark & Stormy recipe, which was my drink of choice at our beloved local burger restaurant that's recently closed down, and inspired by their version.
What's nice about a Dark & Stormy is that it's fresh because of the lime juice, but the ginger beer gives it a certain spicy warmth, so it's great for all seasons.
You will need: (per drink)
Ice
40mls rum (I like to use a golden rum like Havana Club 3 Year Old Rum for this recipe, but you can use dark rum if you prefer)
150mls ginger beer (I use Old Jamaica, you could go more posh if you like)
Juice of one lime
Half to one teaspoon of sugar syrup (optional)
Angostura Bitters
Fresh grated ginger (optional for a more fiery version)
Slice of ginger and extra lime to garnish
Method:
Add a few cubes of ice to cocktail shaker, followed by the lime juice, rum, sugar syrup, and grated fresh ginger if using, shake and strain into a tumbler with plenty of ice.
Top with Ginger Beer and add three drops of Angostura Bitters
Garnish with a slice of fresh ginger and a wedge of lime. Enjoy!
This post is in collaboration with Made.com and features their Blaze Cocktail Shaker and bar tool set, and Ria Tumblers.
Drink responsibly folks!