A Dark & Stormy Night

In this week's review of Rumba Satay Bar & Grill, I drool over the fresh roster of citrus-infused cocktails that accompanies chef Joseph Rozario's menu of equatorial delights. Not least of these crisp refreshing drinks is the Dark & Stormy.

Popping up lately on bar menus outside of its preppy northeastern stronghold, the retro cocktail is traditionally made with Gosling's Black Seal rum and ginger beer—a non-alcoholic cousin to ginger ale that tempers the heavy flavor of the dark rum. In fact, Gosling's holds the trademark on the name "Dark 'n Stormy."

Rumba's standard Dark & Stormy (note the ampersand in lieu of the 'n) is made with Myer's rum and ginger ale, which has a less root-bound flavor than ginger beer.

If you prefer the zing of ginger beer, ask to substitute house-made ginger-infused lemonade, advises Rumba bar manager Charles Fields. If you want to make your own at home, he suggests boiling 2 oz. of fresh ginger in a liter of lemonade. Cool and mix over ice with dark rum, mint and lime.

If you're not mixing with Gosling's and you're squeamish about intellectual property law infractions, call it an Obscure 'n Inclement. Then close your eyes, sip your non-trademark-infringing cocktail and dream of the open seas—or at least Rumba's patio on the sunny shores of West End Avenue.

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