Sunny and Stormy
A modern, vibrant riff on the classic Dark 'n' Stormy, trading deep spice for bright citrus. This contemporary cocktail combines aged rum with fresh pink grapefruit, lime, ginger syrup, and ginger beer for a refreshing, sunny twist.
12%
ABV
medium
Difficulty
collins
Glass
Flavor Profile
History & Heritage
“The Sunny and Stormy emerged from the modern craft cocktail movement as a contemporary riff on the classic Dark 'n' Stormy. While lacking a single documented origin, it represents the broader trend of reimagining classics with fresh, bright ingredients. The cocktail belongs to the 21st-century craft renaissance, emphasizing fresh citrus and quality ingredients over artificial mixers.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
2 oz
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
3 oz
2 dashes
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Prepare ginger syrup in advance: combine ½ cup fresh ginger juice with ½ cup white sugar, warm until dissolved, cool completely
Chill a Collins or highball glass with ice
In cocktail shaker, combine rum, pink grapefruit juice, lime juice, and ginger syrup
Fill shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds
Discard ice from serving glass and fill with fresh clear ice
Double-strain shaker contents into prepared glass
Top with chilled ginger beer
Add two dashes of Angostura bitters on top
Garnish with dehydrated grapefruit wheel and fresh mint sprig
Glassware
Collins or highball glass, chilled
Garnish
Thinly slice grapefruit and dehydrate at 200°F for 2-3 hours
Gently slap to release oils before garnishing
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Keep all ingredients as cold as possible for best refreshment
Use fresh grapefruit and lime juice - never bottled
Don't shake the ginger beer - add it last to preserve carbonation
Double-strain to remove ice chips and fruit pulp for smooth texture
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Sunny and Stormy.
Tart and Sunny
Increase lime juice for more acidic profile
Changes
Spicy and Sunny
Use spicier ginger beer and add jalapeño slice
Changes
Smoky and Sunny
Replace portion of rum with mezcal for smoky complexity
Changes
Blood Orange Stormy
Use blood orange juice instead of grapefruit for seasonal variation
Changes
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Dead Bastard
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