Not-So- Dark ‘n’ Stormy: Non-Alcoholic Version with Euphoric Tea

When it comes to cocktails, we favor drinks that will make you feel calm and bright, not hungover or cloudy. If you’re in the mood for a relaxing drink and you’re as obsessed with ginger beer as we are, this non-alcoholic alternative to a Dark ‘n Stormy is a winner.

Skip the Dark Rum, Grab the Red Vein Tea

A real Dark ‘n Stormy contains a couple ounces of Gosling’s Black Seal rum and 3 to 4 ounces of cold ginger beer. To make an alcohol-free—but not buzz-free—version, we swapped out the dark rum for red vein kratom tea.

Kratom tea is a great alcohol alternative for cocktails because it has a mildly bitter flavor and euphoric effects—which also means if you like to be strictly sober, you’ll want to pass on this recipe.

That’s why we don’t call this recipe a “Dark ‘n Stormy mocktail.” It’s a cocktail of a different sort (moreover, Gosling’s has apparently trademarked the name Dark ‘n Stormy so drinks by this name are legally required to have Gosling’s dark rum in them).

Unlike rum, kratom tea won’t float on top of ginger beer to give you the look the Dark ‘n Stormy garnered its name from—”the colour of a cloud only a fool or a dead man would sail under”—but it will still taste fantastic and support a sense of calm and relief.

Ready to start brewing?

Option 1: Stovetop Kratom Tea

• 2 red vein kratom tea bags
• 1.5 cups (12 oz) cold, filtered water
• 2 x 6.8-oz bottles of ginger beer
• 2 cups ice
• Optional: lime slices for garnish

1. Add kratom tea bags, water, and (optional) lime juice to a small pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer.
2. Keep over heat for 15-20 minutes. Keep uncovered until about ¾ cup of tea remains, then cover the pot for the remainder of the steep time.
3. Transfer tea to a heat-safe jar or container and chill in fridge or freezer for 20-30 minutes.
4. Split the ice and iced tea between the glasses, then top each with 1 bottle of ginger beer.
5. Garnish with slices of lime.

Option 2: Kratom Tea Concentrate

• 1 cup pre-brewed concentrated kratom iced tea (view instructions here)
• 2 6-oz bottles of ginger beer
• 2 cups ice
• Optional: lime slices for garnish

1. Add ice to two glasses.
2. Split the iced tea between the glasses and top each with 1 bottle of ginger beer.
3. Garnish with slices of lime.

Recipe Notes

• Kratom Type: Feel free to swap out the red vein tea with whatever variety best suits your needs.
• Ginger Beer Amount: One serving of a classic Dark ‘n Stormy has about 3 to 4 oz ginger beer and 2 oz of rum. Since one serving of our iced kratom tea is around 3-4 oz, we use a full 6-oz bottle of ginger beer for each serving. Feel free to adjust the amount of ginger beer to your taste. If you don’t like your drinks as spicy, you can try a light ginger beer or use ginger ale, or you can use less ginger beer and top off your glass with plain seltzer.

Non-Alcoholic Dark and Stormy Mocktail Nutrition Info

Approximate nutrition information for one serving with 6.8 oz Fever-Tree Bold & Spicy ginger beer: Calories: 80 cal | Total Fat: 0 g | Cholesterol: 0 mg | Sodium: 15 mg | Total Carbohydrates: 20 g | Dietary Fiber: 0 g | Sugar: 18 g | Protein: 0 g

Approximate nutrition information for one serving with 6.8 oz Fever-Tree Crisp & Spicy light gin beer: Calories: 35 cal | Total Fat: 0 g | Cholesterol: 0 mg | Sodium: 15 mg | Total Carbohydrates: 9 g | Dietary Fiber: 0 g | Sugar: 9 g | Protein: 0 g

More Recipes Like this Non-Alcoholic Ginger Beer Cocktail

We hope our Not-At-All-Dark ‘n Very Stormy non-alcoholic mocktail leaves you feeling refreshed and relaxed.

If you want to keep experimenting with kratom cocktails, here are a few others that will similarly liven up your nights and leave you hangover-free in the morning:

Cheers to better, buzzier, brighter brewing.