Dark and stormy cupcakes mimic the popular sailing drink. The cupcakes feature Gosling’s rum and ginger beer for a boozy treat!

Dark and Stormy Cupcakes inspired by the Bermudan cocktail with Gosling's Rum | Recipe by @haleydwilliams

Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone! Another holiday, another cocktail cupcake and this time I was inspired by the Bermudan cocktail Dark and Stormy. I spent the holiday weekend at one of my summer stomping grounds Newport, Rhode Island. Home to the Newport Bermuda race, the “sailing capital of the world” inspired me to not only drink Dark and Stormies, but also bake with the cocktail ingredients.

What is a dark and stormy? A true Dark and Stormy consists of Gosling’s rum and ginger beer garnished with a lime wedge. It is typically served with the ginger beer poured first followed by the black rum gently over the top to create a layered effect, like dark clouds looming over the sea.

dark and stormy cupcake ingredients in bowls labeled with text
photo collage demonstrating how to make dark and stormy cupcake batter in a mixing bowl

How to make dark and stormy cupcakes

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. Combine the butter, rum and ginger beer together in a saucepan over medium heat until the butter is melted. Set aside to slightly cool.
  3. Whisk together the egg and buttermilk, then set it aside as well.
  4. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix in the butter rum mixture, then mix in the egg mixture. Stir just until combined.
  5. Transfer batter to prepared pan and bake for 16 to 20 minutes. Allow cupcakes to cool before frosting.
  6. Make the frosting by beat together the butter and confectioners’ sugar, then add the rum, ginger beer, lime juice and ginger. Transfer frosting to a piping bag with desired tip and frost the cupcakes.
dark and stormy cupcake on a plate with lime garnish on frosting

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use another brand of rum?

Yes, any dark rum will work in this recipe.

Can I bake these cupcakes without rum?

Yes, but they won’t be true dark and stormy cupcakes. I suggest using apple juice or cider as a substitute and then adding a teaspoon of rum extract.

Can I use ginger ale instead of ginger beer?

I have not tried this recipe with ginger ale, but it should work for this recipe.

How to store dark and stormy cupcakes

Place cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you live in a warmer climate, store cupcakes in the refrigerator to prevent the frosting from melting.

I love baking with alcohol. A similar recipe to this one is my buttered rum cupcakes. They have a kick of rum in the cupcakes and frosting along with delicious spices. During the holidays, I always make rum balls for family and friends. They are easy and delicious! Rum soaked cake is also a popular holiday dessert.

If you looking to bake with other types of alcohol, I encourage you to try moscato cupcakes made with pink wine or chocolate stout cupcakes with Bailey’s buttercream.

dark and stormy cupcake on a small white plate with lime slices and pipettes

These cupcakes really adapted well to the cocktail flavors. The black seal rum brought a nice color to the cake while the ginger beer added plenty of flavor to the frosting. Both the drink and the dessert are the perfect drink for a dark and stormy night.

Dark and stormy cupcakes are a boozy treat to enjoy on a blustery summer day. You could bake them for a post-regatta treat or for an avid sailor’s birthday party. What occasion will you bake dark and stormy cupcakes for? Let me know by leaving a comment or tagging @ifyougiveablondeakitchen on social media.

dark and stormy cupcake with frosting and rum filled pipette

Get the Recipe: Dark and Stormy Cupcakes

Dark and stormy cupcakes mimic the popular sailing drink. The cupcakes feature dark rum and ginger beer for a boozy treat!
5 from 1 rating

Ingredients

Cupcakes

  • ½ cup (113 g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup ginger beer, such as Gosling's
  • ¼ cup Gosling's rum
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • ¼ cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (187 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Frosting

  • 2 ¾ cup (330 g) confectioners' sugar, sifted
  • ¾ cup (170 g or 1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon Gosling’s rum
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons ginger beer
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons ground ginger, depending on how ginger-y you like the cupcakes

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
  • Heat the butter, ginger beer and rum over low heat for about 3 minutes, until the butter melts, being careful not to boil. Set aside to slightly cool.
  • In a small bowl, beat together the egg and buttermilk. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
  • Stir the warm butter rum mixture into the dry ingredients. Add the egg mixture and stir until well combined.
  • Fill cupcake tins three-quarters full and bake for 16 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the pan and cool completely.
  • For the frosting, use an electric mixer and beat butter until whipped. Slowly add confectioners' sugar followed by the rum, ginger beer, lime juice and ground ginger (to taste). Transfer to a frosting bag and frost the cupcakes. Garnish with a lime wedge or candied ginger.

Notes

Store dark and stormy cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days. If you live in a warmer climate, store in the refrigerator to prevent frosting from melting.
Serving: 1cupcake, Calories: 343kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 52mg, Sodium: 88mg, Potassium: 57mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 36g, Vitamin A: 496IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg

Adapted from Off the Menu.

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