If you haven’t already figured it out, I really love rum. A lot.  I’ve written before about the daiquiri, one of the great, simple, classic cocktails of all time, which is often completely misunderstood.  But on Pirate Day, let the scallywags sip on the dainty daiquiri.  We need something swarthy to glug from our pewter flagons as we shout yo-ho-ho.  Fear not, bilge rats, for in fact, the first “pre-prohibition” clap of thunder (pirate craft cocktail) I ever tried, many years ago now, which launched my mixology madness, was the “Dark and Stormy”.  

The Dark and Stormy.  Pirate spoon optional.  Whoever drank my rum ration will face the hempen halter. 

Back in 1806, James Gosling ran aground en route to America from England, in St. George’s, Bermuda.  50 years later, he perfected his blend of dark rums into what would become Gosling’s Black Seal Rum.  The Dark and Stormy is classically (and officially) made with this rum and Gosling’s ginger beer.  In Bermuda, that’s all that goes in the glass, but in the US we add lime juice as well, which gives the drink an extra layer of richness, and more importantly, prevents scurvy.  We can parley this dispute with the Bermudians until we’re loaded to the gunwall but both versions are delicious.  So get plundering and avail yourself of some dark rum, some spicy ginger beer, and a squeeze of lime, for a puzzling good time, or I’ll see you at Davy Jones Locker.  Now splice the mainbrace, me hearties, tip your tankard and bottoms up!

Pour some down your bung hole but don't go three sheets to the wind, pirate puzzlers.  

For a seaworthy recipe of the Dark and Stormy:

http://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/recipes/a3747/dark-and-stormy-drink-recipe/