(Note: this post was originally published on November 21, 2019. It has since been updated with new photos and a few tweaks.)
I'm a firm believer that a special occasion deserves a special cocktail. I designed this one specifically for Thanksgiving in order to celebrate all the classic holiday flavors in an unexpected way. A signature cocktail makes any event feel more festive!
Broadly speaking, this cocktail is a riff on a Dark & Stormy, which is traditionally made with dark rum, ginger beer, and lime. This fall Dark & Stormy has dark rum and ginger beer as usual, plus spiced rum for winter coziness, and pomegranate juice instead of lime for tartness and some festive holiday flair. Two seasonal garnishes (pomegranate seeds and fresh thyme sprigs) make it feel extra special. Although I created this Thanksgiving cocktail specifically with the holiday in mind, it's a great combination of flavors that you can enjoy all fall long.
Although layered cocktails can seem intimidating, they're simple to make as long as you use a light touch while pouring. Creating and maintaining the layers in this pomegranate Dark & Stormy relies upon having liquids with different densities.
In this case, the bottom layer (ginger beer) has the highest sugar content and stays at the bottom. The middle layer (amber-colored spiced rum mixed with pomegranate juice) is less dense and floats on top of the ginger beer. The dark rum (80-proof) is even less dense and floats on top. Those density differences are what keep this Thanksgiving cocktail looking crisp and neat.
The only tricky piece is pouring each subsequent layer gently. Some mixologists prefer to pour the liquids over the back of a spoon to help them disperse and fall delicately into the cocktail. If you're worried, you can always make a miniature trial version in a small glass to make sure you have the feel for it before you try a full-sized version.
Interested in other layered cocktails? If so, check out my whimsical Unicorn Cocktail, this unique Solar Eclipse Cocktail, this clever Chai Tai, this festive Red, White, and Blue July 4th Spiked Limeade, and this brunch-appropriate Pineapple Express Cocktail.
Ready to dive into this pretty pomegranate Dark & Stormy? To a tall, narrow glass, add ice, a couple sprigs of fresh thyme, and a palmful of pomegranate seeds. Note that it's important to add the ice first so as not to disturb the layers you'll create (keep this in mind for all your layered cocktails, not just this one).
Next, pour in the ginger beer; I recommend using one that's very ginger-forward and not too sweet. You'll want this to occupy about half the glass. Notice that the pomegranate seeds will begin to do a fun little dance as the bubbles carry them up and down; it makes this fall Dark & Stormy feel so celebratory!
Next, mix up some amber-colored spiced rum (long-term readers of this blog will know that I'm a huge fan of Koloa Rum from Kaua'i) with a dash of pomegranate juice. I experimented a lot and found that this pomegranate Dark & Stormy works best with just a small amount of juice (about a quarter ounce). Otherwise, it's too assertively tart and too bright red. Add the rum and pomegranate mixture very gently to the cocktail so as not to disturb the ginger beer.
Finally, add a dark rum float (again, I've used my favorite, Koloa Rum). This is a classic finishing touch on many tiki cocktails. It provides a lovely deep color and a big pop of booziness. However, if you'd rather make a lower-alcohol cocktail, you can easily decrease or omit this.
Additionally, feel free to finish this over-the-top Thanksgiving cocktail with any extra garnishes that you feel inspired by. Orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, etc, can all help to create a festive holiday vibe.
Here's what you'll need for this autumnal pomegranate Dark & Stormy recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
Are you excited to try this special fall Dark & Stormy? It's not necessarily the easiest cocktail to make for a crowd, but it really feels holiday-appropriate and celebratory. I always find that a signature cocktail makes an event seem special and unique, so it's definitely worth dedicating some time to planning good one.
Whether you enjoy this pomegranate Dark & Stormy for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, a fall harvest dinner, or just a chilly evening at home, it's one that we always really enjoy and I hope you will too. Cheers and happy Thanksgiving!
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
As with all my cocktail recipes, please enjoy responsibly!
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Disclosure: Koloa Rum is a long-term partner and I receive free product. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep The Rogue Brussel Sprout running.
Bursting with cozy vibes and iconic autumnal flavors, this fall Dark & Stormy riff is the perfect cocktail for Thanksgiving. It unites two types of rum, warming spices, spicy ginger beer, sweet pomegranate, and fragrant thyme for a celebration-worthy sip.
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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