Dark and stormy with bourbon is the perfect twist on the classic cocktail—rich, spicy, and slightly sweet with a smooth bourbon base. This easy variation swaps the traditional rum for your favorite whiskey, paired with zesty ginger beer, crisp apple cider, and a splash of lemon. Whether you’re relaxing on the porch or entertaining friends, this cocktail delivers bold fall flavors in under 10 minutes.
Classic Dark and Stormy cocktails typically use dark rum, but substituting bourbon adds a whole new depth of flavor. The bourbon’s smoky warmth blends beautifully with the spicy kick of ginger beer and the slight sweetness of apple cider. It’s bold, balanced, and cozy enough to sip all through autumn. Plus, it’s stunning in the glass with floating apple slices and a fragrant cinnamon stick garnish. No cocktail shaker mastery required—just a few ingredients and a couple of minutes.
Table of Contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- ⏱️ Ready in 10 minutes or less
- 🥃 Bourbon adds rich, smoky depth
- 🍏 Fall-friendly with apple cider & spice
- 🍹 Easy to batch for parties
- ✨ Impressive presentation with zero fuss
🛒 Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 2 oz apple cider
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- 2 oz ginger beer (to top)
- Ice (plus extra for serving)
- Apple slices (for garnish)
- Cinnamon stick (for garnish)
🍸 Instructions
- Build the Base
In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, add bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, and 1 cup of ice. Shake or stir gently to chill. - Strain Over Ice
Fill a lowball or rocks glass with fresh ice. Strain the cocktail mixture over the ice. - Top & Garnish
Slowly pour ginger beer over the top. Garnish with a thin apple slice and a cinnamon stick. - Serve Immediately
Give it a gentle swirl with the cinnamon stick and enjoy right away while it’s bubbly and refreshing.
⏱️ Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5–10 minutes
- Servings: 1
- Difficulty: Easy
🔢 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Estimated)
- Calories: 190
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sugar: 14g
- Alcohol: ~14–16% ABV
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
💡 Tips & Variations
- Use a bold bourbon – Something mid-range like Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace, or Wild Turkey 101 adds great body.
- No apple cider? – Try pear juice or cranberry juice for a seasonal spin.
- Make it spicy – Choose a bold ginger beer like Fever-Tree or Gosling’s.
- Swap in dark rum – For a more traditional version, just replace bourbon with dark rum.
- Batch it up – Multiply ingredients (except ginger beer) for a pitcher. Top glasses individually to preserve fizz.
❓ FAQs
Can I use ginger ale instead of ginger beer?
Yes, but it will be sweeter and less spicy. Stick with ginger beer for the signature bite.
Is this cocktail strong?
Moderately. With 2 oz of bourbon, it’s balanced by cider and ginger beer. You can reduce the bourbon to 1.5 oz if preferred.
Can I prep this ahead?
Mix the bourbon, cider, and lemon juice in advance and chill. Add ginger beer just before serving to keep it bubbly.
Dark and Stormy with Bourbon
Equipment
- – Cocktail shaker or mixing glass
- – Lowball or rocks glass
- – Jigger or measuring tool
Ingredients
- – 2 oz bourbon
- – 2 oz apple cider
- – ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- – 2 oz ginger beer
- – Ice cubes
- – Apple slice and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- In a shaker with ice, combine bourbon, apple cider, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Garnish with apple slice and cinnamon stick.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
– Use a bold ginger beer for maximum flavor.
– Don’t skip the garnish—it adds both aroma and visual flair.
🏁 Conclusion
If you’re looking for a cocktail that’s easy to make yet layered in flavor, this dark and stormy with bourbon is your new favorite. It’s festive without being fussy, cozy without being cloying, and guaranteed to impress. Whether for casual evenings or fall gatherings, this drink delivers serious flavor in a flash.