It was a Dark & Stormy night in the orchard…
No, let’s start again.
“You poured your apple cider in my Dark & Stormy.” “No, you poured your Dark & Stormy in my apple cider!”
Okay, closer. Let me begin properly.
I’m competing in the Spice Up the Holidays contest. Nine fellow bloggers and I are creating spiced-up party menus over the next couple of weeks, each featuring Captain Morgan’s Original Spiced Rum and Black Spiced Rum. For the contest we’ll develop an appetizer, a cocktail, and a dessert — all enhanced with rum.
The judging will be led by Spike Mendelsohn, a Top Chef alum and Next Iron Chef contender. When I watched him on TV I never imagined my food might one day be judged by him. I feel a little starstruck — and a little nervous.
I’ll confess why I entered: the winner’s chosen charity will receive a $1,000 donation. The prize package is generous, but the charitable donation is what really motivated me. That’s worth the jitters and the fear of kitchen calamities. Also, I love a challenge.
Over the next two weeks I’ll share the recipes and party plans, then photos from the gathering, and finally the announcement of the winner. With the level of talent in this group, expect delicious food and creative cocktails.
Now, I need your help. I enjoy hosting friends and family, but I don’t often throw formal dinner parties. I could use ideas to elevate a casual get-together: tips for making entertaining feel special without getting overwhelmed. Besides hiding toys and clearing off the table, what tricks do you use to make your parties fun and a little more polished?
Let’s start with the drinks.
The Dark & Stormy is a classic for a reason: spicy rum and gingery beer are an ideal pairing. For this contest I couldn’t serve a straight Dark & Stormy, so I gave it an orchard twist. I added a touch of boiled cider syrup (also called apple molasses) to the ginger-and-rum mix to give the cocktail an autumnal apple character, as if Captain Morgan had docked on the Maine coast and improvised a local favorite.
The concentrated, tart-sweet boiled cider syrup brings bright apple flavor and aroma that complements the cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg notes in Captain Morgan’s Black Spiced Rum.
My husband—who usually isn’t a cocktail person—tasted it and declared it delicious. He drank the whole glass and even sipped it properly, though he left his pinky down. Progress is progress.
Make yourself a Dark & Stormy Orchard, and while you sip, think about your best entertaining tips. Pinkies are optional, but please do share your ideas with me.
Dark & Stormy Orchard
Rebecca Lindamood
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Per Drink:
- A highball or double old fashioned glass filled with ice
- 1 tablespoon Boiled Cider Syrup (a.k.a. apple molasses)
- 2 ounces Captain Morgan’s Black Spiced Rum Dark rum or Original Spiced Rum can be substituted.
- 11 ounces Ginger Beer Use a strong, spicy ginger beer for best results.
Optional:
- A cinnamon stick for stirring
Instructions
-
Pour the boiled cider syrup over the ice. Add the Black Spiced Rum, then top with ginger beer. Stir gently with a cinnamon stick or spoon and serve immediately.
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition using your actual ingredients and preferred tool.
Did you make this recipe?
If you post it on Instagram, tag @foodiewithfam and use #foodiewithfamily so I can see your creations.
Once you’ve made the drink, please stop by and say hello to my fellow competitors. They’ve all contributed great recipes and ideas:
- What’s Cooking, Chicago?
- Big Red Kitchen
- BakedBree
- The Comfort of Cooking
- Doughmesstic
- Shugary Sweets
- What’s For Dinner
- The High Heeled Hostess
- The Realistic Nutritionist
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Spice Up the Holidays contest sponsored by Captain Morgan USA. I received products to use in my recipe development and compensation for additional ingredients, but all opinions are my own.