A better Dark and Stormy

2 weeks ago, I said I would never post an entry on foodie fights day, to encourage people to check out that site (so go check it out because there is a battle today). Since I missed yesterday due to public holiday in Bermuda, I decided I owe you guys a post. This is a very short post of a delicious summer night drink. You can make a pitcher of it and it will last a while. It is sort of a mix between the Bermuda drink called the dark and stormy, and a mojito.

Dark and stormy is a pretty popular drink here in Bermuda. You mix dark rum with a soft drink called ginger beer. My friend Gareth drinks these whenever we are out at happy hour. I like the IDEA of this drink, but am not a fan of the syrupy ginger beer. This cocktail solves that problem by using fresh grated ginger.

A tablespoon of grated ginger and a handful of mint leaves in the bottom of the pitcher.

Fresh squeezed lemon juice.

The mixture from the pitcher a little more than half way up a cup with ice.

Fill to the top with soda water.

Smooth, balanced, refreshing. Did you guys know ginger has the side effect of preventing vertigo and nauseous feelings? So if you drink too many of these, you wont get sick!!!*

Pitcher of a better dark and stormy
Tablespoon of ginger
Handful of fresh mint clapped in your hands to "wake up" the flavors and oils
½ cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice.
2 cups dark or gold rum
A few heafty tablespoons of simple syrup made with cane sugar
(cup cane sugar, half cup water, cook low till sugar dissolved)

Mix well and taste. Try and balance the ginger, lemon, and sugar flavors, adding more of one or the other if needed.
Pour over ice half way up the cup and fill with soda water.

*you will probably still get sick dispite the ginger if you drink too many of these.