Blog Posts
This page is specifically dedicated to consumers to share their personal testimonies on brands specific, restaurants and bars. Everyone can feel free to engage one another, but please be respectful and NO PROFANITY… POST AWAY!!! Here are a few things you may want to include: 1) Name of venue; 2) City & State; 3) Name of drink; 4) Did you like or not like; 5) Why or why not; 6) Would you recommend others to visit and/or try that specific drink
One of the joys of traveling, especially outside of the U.S., is enjoying the libations of these foreign lands. And so it was that while in Bermuda some years ago, I experienced the Bermudian “Dark ‘n’ Stormy” (Bermudians do not used ‘and’ or ‘&’ in discussing this cocktail) composed of the island produced Barritt’s ginger beer and dark rum. The native hosts have mastered just the right mix of ginger beer (a spicy non-alcoholic drink) and dark rum to produce a balanced drink that is satisfying to the palate. In the U. S., the similar but not comparable “dark and stormy” cocktail may also include a splash of lime. For many years, I longed for the Bermuda version which required having Bermuda friends traveling to the U. S. to bring a case of two of Barritt’s ginger beer in order to make this libation. Then, the soft drink became available through distributors in the U. S., eventually making it’s way to my neighborhood Kroger grocery store. I make my cocktail with 2 oz of dark rum (usually Capt. Morgan’s) and 4 oz of Barritt’s ginger beer with a small amount of ice. Since I prefer the closest possible recreation of the Bermudian experience, I leave the splash of lime for other drinks but not this one. So, here’s a fun, quick cocktail that you can enjoy after work or at your next social event that even amateurs like me can bar tend.
Some years ago while visiting the island of Bermuda, I was introduced to the “dark ‘n’ stormy” cocktail (Bermudians simply do not use “and” or “&” while writing about this drink) and found it to be delightfully refreshing. The key to this drink is the use of Barritt’s ginger beer (a non-alcoholic bubbly soft drink) and a dark rum. The U.S. version of this drink may also include a splash of lime, but if you want the Bermuda version, use only the ginger beer and dark rum.
The cocktail is composed of 2 oz of dark rum (I prefer Capt. Morgan) and 4 oz. of Barritt’s ginger beer (there are other ginger beers available from some Caribbean producers, but they don’t taste the same) and a small amount of ice. This cocktail is easy to make for a social event that you are hosting, so although I don’t claim to have bar tending skills, my guests find this drink spicy, sassy, refreshing and fun.
Barritt’s ginger beer was unavailable in the U. S. for many years after I first learned of it, so I resorted to having friends bring cases for me from Bermuda. Now Barritt’s has U. S. distributors and most recently, it has found it’s way to my neighborhood Kroger grocery store on the shelf with other soft drinks. You can click this link to find Barritt’s ginger beer near you – http://bermudasgingerbeer.com/find-barritts-ginger-beer.html. Enjoy and have fun. I highly recommend it.
Some years ago while visiting the island of Bermuda, I was introduced to the “dark ‘n’ stormy” cocktail (Bermudians simply do not use “and” or “&” while writing about this drink) and found it to be delightfully refreshing. The key to this drink is the use of Barritt’s ginger beer (a non-alcoholic bubbly soft drink) and Goslings Dark Seal Rum (a dark rum). The U.S. version of this drink may also include a splash of lime, but if you want the Bermuda version, use only the ginger beer and a dark rum.
The cocktail is composed of 2 oz of dark rum (I prefer Capt. Morgan) and 4 oz. of Barritt’s ginger beer (there are other ginger beers available from some Caribbean producers, but they don’t taste the same) and a small amount of ice. This cocktail is easy to make for a social event that you are hosting, so although I don’t claim to have bar tending skills, my guests find this drink spicy, sassy, refreshing and fun.
Barritt’s ginger beer was unavailable in the U. S. for many years after I first learned of it, so I resorted to having friends bring cases for me from Bermuda. Now Barritt’s has U. S. distributors and most recently, it has found it’s way to my neighborhood Kroger grocery store on the shelf with other soft drinks. You can click this link to find Barritt’s ginger beer near you – http://bermudasgingerbeer.com/find-barritts-ginger-beer.html. Enjoy and have fun. I highly recommend it.
Ken, thank you for sharing your story and also fixing this cocktail for me on my birthday (9/13). I really enjoyed it and will be making my way to Kroger to find this Barritt’s ginger beer. I am now a fan. What’s ironic is that I’m not a fan of Ginger, but LOVE THIS!!!
Let me drop this tidbit for my friends who like a bit of international travel. I have found the sangria (a red wine punch) in Madrid to be totally satisfying and served in sufficient quantities per customer. Whereas in the U.S. I might receive a glass or a large glass (try Ruby Tuesdays), several restaurants such as Las Cuevas del Sésamo in Madrid will bring each customer at the table your own personal, individual pitcher of the very fruity drink. Pair it with an assortment of tapas, and you are in for a fantastic evening of food, fun and libations. Most true Spanish sangria is made with Rioja (a wine made from grapes grown in the Basque provinces of Spain). So if you plan to make this drink yourself, be sure to get the Rioja wine for the punch. Sorry, but I have consumed all my Rioja that I brought back to the U.S. That’s a different topic though. LOL.
This was great information. You have just given me the motivation to try and make some of my own. I will be sure to let you know when I do.
Ken,
Thanks for sharing. I enjoy reading your posts. I will be in Spain later this year and will be looking for anything made with those grapes.
Je’ Wesley
Ken, how did your Dark & Stormy come out?
Hello world!
Post Preface: Just to provide some background on the creator of this website… Jay is a very kind soul and generous human being. I was a lost Tomorrowworld guest, down on my luck with a dead phone, and out of the goodness of his heart, he let me charge my phone in his car and find my ride home. God bless him, and I am so glad he shared this blog with me before departing.
Here is my 2 cents on tipping bartenders…
Anyone who does not feel tipping at least 20% to their bartender should go home and make their own drinks. Regardless of your cultural background, financial situation, less than ecstatic mood… If you want the bartender to make the effort of concocting your cocktail creation or serving a perfect pint pour, then make it worth their time. They are not working for the fun of it, no one in America does. Although it can be an entertaining profession, there is a lot of grunt work involved for your enjoyment.
PS: Red Bar at Grayton Beach, FL automatically adds gratuity tip to each check. Brilliant idea for a very popular tourist attraction, attracting diverse guest groups.
There’s my 2 cents. I am climbing off my soap box now.
Thank you again, Jay!
At Christmas, I had the pleasure of being introduced to Ocean Organic vodka. This excellent drink is produced on the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian Sea Spirits and Organic Farms says this about their vodka, “100% All NATURAL, ORGANIC AND GLUTEN FREE, OCEAN Organic Vodka is certified organic and is the only vodka in the world distilled from organic sugar cane and blended with deep ocean mineral water. As a result OCEAN Organic Vodka is naturally gluten-free. Our fine spirit contains absolutely no GMOs (genetically modified organisms), herbicides, or pesticides all of which ensure the cleanest, purest, most refreshing cocktail experience.” The CEO of Cocktail Chronicles, Mr. Je’Wesley Day, had the opportunity to experience this vodka at my home. As the former owner of Organix, serving organic products, I am sure he will weigh in with expert judgement. Looking forward to his perspective.
Ken,
This was absolutely one of the best vodka’s that I experienced. It was so smooth, crisp, and refreshing. Thanks for sharing.
Ken are you going to share some cocktail stories of your trip to Florida?
We’ll see if there are any. 😉
Cocktail Tip: The new wave is fruit-flavored liquors, especially vodka. Here’s a great mix. Try a lemon-flavored (citron) vodka with a cran-mango juice mixer. It’s a very tropical drink and can satisfy those who don’t like to taste the alcohol.
While visiting the District of Columbia, I always take the time to dine at Old Engine 12 restaurant on North Capitol St. This particular evening I already decided to have the Peach Cosmos. It’s a wonderful cocktail with Ciroc peach vodka, lime, triple sec, and cranberry. This delightful drink connects me to my Georgian home while enjoying the flavors of Washington DC. It is nicely balanced. It also happens that Ciroc provided samples to patron of a cocktail with green apple Ciroc vodka and a watermelon punch. The sample was good and did not defeat the full peach cosmos cocktail that later arrived at the table. Give it a try if you’re in DC. Also, ask Marion for his food recommendations. You won’t be disappointed.
Ken,
Thanks for sharing. I will be in DC next week and will check it out.
The week was finally over and my boyfriend and I felt like celebrating this joyous occassion. We quickly decided on going to the Olive Garden in Newnan. Great establishment, wonderful customer service. My waitress talked me into getting one of their most popular margaritas. It was a frozen strawberry mango margarita with orange colored rim salt to match the color of the drink. It was made perfectly, it wasn’t too strong. I’m not a drinker so this was a great choice for me. I give an A+ to the Olive Garden in Newnan, Georgia.
Thanks Toya for sharing. It sounds like I need to get to the Olive Garden and check it out.