stormy weather

food detective

Categories: Beverages, Cocktail Party, Sources, Posted on October 1, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten

Just went to a charming wedding in West Chop on Martha’s Vineyard. Everywhere you turned there were the most personable touches. It was the quintessential Nor’easter celebration. Lobster rolls and crab cakes. A killer band under a tent with a remarkable view. A bride as stunningly beautiful and unpretentious as the local blooms artfully arranged in Ball jar vases. And these crazy good cocktails called a dark and stormy.

Signature cocktails don’t usually make for my smoothest sailing. The catchy titles and kitschy glassware draw me in but oft times I regret setting down that course. Dirty martinis and I once had a brief affair that landed me with a fabulous shaker, a full set of long stemware and a lock of hair that when I imbibed perpetually fell into my eyes.

But last weekend as the fog burned off and the sun radiated over Nantucket Sound waiters passed trays of Ball jars filled with a zesty concoction of ginger beer and dark rum. Each glass sported a short striped straw with a little flag proclaiming the nuptials. Who could pass on such a declaration?

dark and stormy

Ginger beer is an essential ingredient. And Barritt’s is the brand to get.

dark and stormy

Followed by a rich dark rum. Gosling’s Black Seal seems to be the pick.

dark and stormy

When creating this tempestuous cocktail you need to “build” the ingredients, which means layering one liquid on top of the other. Start with a highball glass full of ice.

dark and stormy

Add 2 oz dark rum.

dark and stormy 

Carefully pour in 3 oz of ginger beer.

dark and stormy

Garnish with a lime wedge.

So how did I navigate the evening… . I had a blast dancing with my husband, loved meeting the bride and groom’s friends, misplaced my eyeglasses and stepped on a red velvet cupcake discarded by one of the flower girls. All in all a night to remember.

dark and stormy

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