Whenever I want to kick it like a Kennedy, I always order a dark n’ stormy. The problem is this: much like how no one outside of the Bay Area has ever drank fernet, it is a rare day in hell you meet a bartender in SF that actually knows how to make one. I finally ordered one of these from Latin American Club the other night and it was fucking delicious! Like all L.A.C. drinks, it was super strong, but they have Black Seal and cold, bottled ginger beer. Topped off with a big chunk of lime, and I was stumbling out of there after a couple drinks.
If you find yourself in the TL, try the Dark and Stormy at KoKo Cocktails. They are delish.
Hobson’s Choice does a good rendition if you find yourself in the Upper Haight.
A bit smug… “how no one outside of the Bay Area has ever drank fernet”. The Bay Area only discovered Fernet a few years ago. We’re the newbies. It’s very common in a few other places. Ever meet an Argentine?
If you like a D&S you should also give the Moscow Mule a try. It’s the same as a D&S only with vodka instead of dark rum.
“It is a rare day in hell you meet a bartender in SF that actually knows how to make one.”
Maybe because this drink’s name is fucking trademarked. Order a rum and ginger ale – I’m sure most bartenders understand that.
And while I’m on the subject, since when did combining two things on ice justify a named drink, especially a trademarked name? Gin and tonic – no name for that, certainly not trademarked. Rum and coke – nothing there. Unless it’s cute and clever like a 7&7, do we have to name every fucking combination of 2 things? Maybe this is why “It is a rare day in hell you meet a bartender in SF that actually knows how to make [your stupidly named, faster to make than say, cocktail].”
Man, did a dark and stormy steal your girlfriend or something?
I totally understand the rant (ranting is one of my passions too) but ordering a “Dark n’ Stormy” is a lot easier than “I’ll have Black Seal and Bottled Ginger beer on the rocks with a slice of lime.”
Also, generally they cannot make them because they don’t have the ingredients.
folks, alcoholism is an art form. the artistes on both sides of the bar have their aesthetic tastes, and differences have to occur. sometimes even bar brawls. it’s all part of the beautiful drunk dance we build together. so fuck all y’all.
I am still haunted by the day I was in Georgia at the Savannah Yacht Club for a friends wedding rehearsal dinner. I go up to the bar and order a manhattan. Pretty classic drink I would think and I made a call for bourbon since I dont rep canada or rye. Anyway, my spidey sense goes off when the bartender asked if it had vodka or gin it. Then when I finally got it, not only was it not in the correct glass, I think it was just equals parts whiskey and vermouth. Needless to say, I drank it, but I didn’t like it.
This story is only topped by the time I ordered a double maker’s rocks and was given a pint glass full of whiskey.
and now I need a drink.
You don’t order a Manhattan in Savannah. That was your first mistake.
Any bartender should be able to make a Manhattan, so he was either not a real bartender or workin’ out some Yankee agression. I’d believe the latter. think about it: Manhattan is about as Yankee as it gets.
Dalva makes a good Dark and Stormy too….
Range has an outstanding D&S
Dude, glad you found one. Dark and Stormy is a fine drink. To the hater above, go f yourself. It’s real important to use the right kind of rum and the right kind of ginger beer. If you just pored Barcardi into a collins glass and chased it with ginger ale from the gun you would indeed have the rum & ginger highball you describe. Oh and it wouldn’t be very good. But if you mix Red Seal with Barritts ginger beer you’ll have something deserving of a unique name.
dear adam,
rum and coke has a name. Cuba Libre.
xoxox
Time for a plug, but I’ll confess it. Give Fentimans a try when you go for the ginger beer. Ginger ale just doesn’t cut the mustard and Fentimans is brewed and fermented (less than 1/2% alch) and has the proper bite that you expect from a good ginger beer. Regatta is also good, but hard to find on the West Coast. Fentimans is sold to the trade by Wine Warehouse and is available in retail some great bars and restaurants like Absinthe, Alembic, Rickhouse, Cask, Il Cane Rosso, Horatius, and in stores including Andronico’s, Lunardi’s, Fog City News, Birite, etc.
As for terminology on the drink, I say use Dark & Stormy and let them try to sue you!
Cheers!
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