Pumpkin Spice Dark and Stormy Fall Rum Cocktail

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Known as the unofficial drink of Bermuda, the Dark ‘n Stormy is a rich and spicy island cocktail. With the perfect blend of pumpkin puree and other fall flavors, this classic becomes a fall rum cocktail fit for land or sea!

Tall glass of pumpkin cocktail with green and white striped straw and a wood board full of citrus and candles in the background.

For more great fall cocktails, make sure to check out my Hot Apple Cider Toddy and Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini. Or, there is always my Rum Old Fashioned for another spiced rum cocktail.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What is a Dark ‘n Stormy?
Ingredients Notes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Expert Tips
Serving Suggestions
FAQ
Related Recipes
Pumpkin Spice Dark and Stormy Fall Rum Cocktail

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Seasonal Twist: The pumpkin spice adds a fall flair to the classic Dark and Stormy, making it a great option for the fall season.

Easy to Make: It’s a simple cocktail with a short ingredient list, making it accessible for home mixologists.

Crowd-Pleaser: The familiar pumpkin spice flavor is generally well-loved, making this drink recipe appealing to a wide audience.

What is a Dark ‘n Stormy?

The original Dark ‘n Stormy is a flavorful, classic rum cocktail made of dark rum, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice. It’s a simple drink that was named for the dark clouds over the ocean during a tropical storm as described by an old sailor, or so legend says.

The original drink is beloved amongst seafarers and landlubbers alike, but its origin likely has deep roots in sailing. The combination of dark rum with soothing-the-stomach ginger beer could be why this cocktail became popular among sailors.

Originally made with Gosling’s Black Seal, the brand actually has a trademark on the cocktail. This aged rum originated in Bermuda in 1806 and has a vanilla and caramel flavor profile with strong spice notes.

Ingredients Notes

This tasty and warming fall rum cocktail uses simple ingredients with a seasonal spin on the classic cocktail. Instead of just lime juice, this Dark ‘n Stormy variation uses orange juice with a sprinkle of grated nutmeg to enhance the rich flavor.

You can purchase all the essential ingredients at just about any liquor and/or grocery store to make a perfect fall cocktail that is anything but boring!

Ingredients for fall rum cocktail on a white countertop labeled in black and white lettering that says "lime and orange juice, pumpkin, nutmeg, ginger beer, dark rum"

Dark rum: This is the first and most essential ingredient for your Pumpkin Dark ‘n Stormy. If you’d like to stick to the original, find a bottle of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum at your favorite liquor store to make this drink. If you already have some dark rum on your bar, there is no need to buy a new bottle.

Lime juice: One of three parts of the original Dark ‘n Stormy, lime makes for a refreshing cocktail and some brightness. I recommend freshly squeezing your lime juice as the flavor is better and fresher, but if you only have bottled juice, that will work.

Orange juice: This sweet citrus balances the lime juice while adding a little extra flavor. Like the lime juice, I recommend squeezing your own fresh orange juice to make the best quality cocktail.

Pumpkin puree: The pumpkin puree gives this fall rum cocktail a more creamy texture and flavor than the original Dark ‘n Stormy.

Ginger beer: Ginger adds a spicy and refreshing bite to the drink and goes great with dark rum. Ginger beer is usually available in the soda aisle or the grocery store or near the drink mixers in the liquor store. Two of my favorite brands are Q Mixers Ginger Beer and Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer.

Spices and garnish: Finish your cocktail with a grate of nutmeg and an orange peel for a little extra flavor and a beautiful presentation. If you don’t care for nutmeg, you can use cinnamon sticks or star anise pods. Orange slices would also work as a garnish as well.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 showing adding the rum and orange juice to the cocktail shaker.

Step 1: Add the dark rum and juices to a cocktail shaker.

Step 2 showing adding the pumpkin to the shaker, then straining the cocktail into a glass.

Step 2: Add the pumpkin puree and add ice cubes to the shaker. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.

Step 3 showing adding the ginger beer to the glass and garnishing with an orange peel.

Step 3: Top with ginger beer and give it a good stir. Garnish with ground nutmeg and an orange peel.

Expert Tips

For a sweeter cocktail, you can add a touch of simple syrup or increase the orange juice amount.

To bring together more flavors of autumn, replace the orange juice with apple cider for a pumpkin apple cider cocktail. Drizzle the glass with a bit of caramel sauce for a caramel apple spin.

For more complexity, try adding a few dashes of orange bitters.

Serving Suggestions

Fall rum cocktails with their warm spices and rich flavors should be served as a delicious drink at your next fall gathering or for a little treat on Halloween while handing out candy. It’s also the perfect drink to serve at cocktail hour before Thanksgiving dinner.

You won’t be able to resist this drink in the cooler months when the temperatures drop, and the leaves begin to fall!

FAQ

What is the best rum for fall rum cocktails?

Using a dark or spiced rum for a fall rum cocktail is ideal. Depending on the flavors incorporated into the cocktail, a dark rum’s deep smokiness and subtle sweetness may be your best bet. White rum will not give the same flavor complexity.

Choose a spiced rum to compliment your fall rum cocktail for a lot of spice and a big flavor. For this Pumpkin Dark ‘n’ Stormy, dark rum is the best choice, paired with spicy ginger beer and layers of citrus.

What is the difference between a Dark and Stormy and Moscow Mule?

A Dark ‘n’ Stormy is made with dark rum, ginger beer, and lime, while a Moscow Mule combines vodka, ginger beer, and lime.

The key difference is the spirit used: dark rum for Dark ‘n’ Stormy and vodka for Moscow Mule. Both are served over ice and typically garnished with citrus.

Close up of the fall rum cocktail with a rolled orange peel for garnish and a green and white striped straw.

If you’re looking for more seasonal cocktails, you may also want to check out some of my favorite fall cocktails:

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