Dark and Stormy drink with bourbon is a bold, spicy twist on the classic cocktail. Swapping the traditional rum for bourbon brings a rich smokiness that pairs beautifully with crisp apple cider, zesty lemon, and fiery ginger beer. Ready in under 10 minutes, this drink is smooth, simple, and perfect for cozy evenings, fall gatherings, or casual porch sipping. With just a few ingredients and no complicated prep, it’s a foolproof favorite for bourbon lovers and cocktail newbies alike.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick to make – Just 5–10 minutes start to finish
Bold & balanced flavor – Sweet cider meets spicy ginger and smooth bourbon
No fancy equipment – All you need is a shaker or jar
Great for fall or winter – Cozy, comforting, and crowd-pleasing
Easily customizable – Swap the spirit, citrus, or garnish to suit your taste

Ingredients

For the Cocktail:

1 cup ice
2 fl oz bourbon
2 fl oz apple cider
½ fl oz fresh lemon juice

For Topping & Garnish:

2 fl oz ginger beer (spicy preferred)
Apple slices (optional)
Cinnamon stick (optional)

Instructions

Build the Base
Add bourbon, apple cider, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled.
Strain and Serve
Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
Top and Garnish
Pour ginger beer gently over the top. Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick. Stir lightly before sipping.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5–10 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Difficulty: Easy

Nutrition Facts (Estimated Per Serving)

Calories: 190
Carbs: 18–22 g
Sugar: 14–18 g
Fat: 0 g
Protein: 0 g
Alcohol by Volume: ~12–14%

Tips & Variations

Use high-quality ginger beer for real spice and fizz
Try lime juice instead of lemon for a sharper citrus kick
Switch spirits – Spiced rum or rye whiskey are great subs
Batch it up – Multiply ingredients and mix in a pitcher (add ginger beer last)
Garnish creatively – Orange peel, star anise, or rosemary sprigs work well too

FAQs

Can I make this non-alcoholic?
Yes! Use a non-alcoholic bourbon alternative or swap for more cider and ginger beer.

What’s the best bourbon for this?
Mid-range options like Maker’s Mark or Buffalo Trace balance the cocktail well. Avoid anything too harsh.

Can I prepare it ahead?
Mix bourbon, cider, and lemon in advance. Add ginger beer and ice just before serving to preserve fizz.

Dark and Stormy Drink with Bourbon

A quick and cozy twist on the classic, this bourbon-based Dark and Stormy is perfect for fall sipping with bold flavor and just the right amount of spice.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Course Cocktails

Cuisine American

Servings 1

Calories 190 kcal

Equipment

Cocktail shaker
– Rocks glass
Strainer

Ingredients

**Cocktail:**
– 1 cup ice
– 2 oz bourbon
– 2 oz apple cider
– ½ oz fresh lemon juice
**Topping & Garnish:**
– 2 oz ginger beer
– Apple slice optional
– Cinnamon stick optional

Instructions

Add bourbon, cider, and lemon juice to a shaker with ice. Shake well.
Strain into a glass filled with ice.
Top with ginger beer.
Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon. Stir gently and serve.

Notes

– Use quality ginger beer for best flavor
– Add garnishes right before serving
– Can be pre-batched without ginger beer

Keyword dark and stormy drink with bourbon

Conclusion

A Dark and Stormy drink with bourbon is more than just a quick cocktail—it’s a cozy sip of seasonal flavor with a spicy edge. Whether you’re hosting or unwinding solo, this version brings a welcome twist to your classic bar lineup.