My Favorite Ginger Ale

Blenheim: A ginger ale that does right by its name.
Photo from blenheimgingerale.com

What kind of ginger ale makes the best dark n' stormy? It's a
conversation I've had dozens of times, often at a bar with a
disappointing rendition of the drink in front of me. My answer
is always the same: Blenheim, hands down.


The firey hot brew, made in South Carolina for some hundred years, was a
staple at my house growing up in N.C. I only took a swig as a dare for
years. I'd watch with awe and admiration as my dad's eyes would well up
with tears after cracking open a tall glass bottle and knocking back a
generous gulp.


See, the stuff is hot, like knawing on a piece of raw ginger hot or when
the wasabi gets up in your nose hot, which to me is an important
quality for a ginger ale.


Most sodas that boast ginger in the name are all sugar, no spice. Both
Blenheim's offerings — the hot and "not so hot" — offer plenty of spice.



So for the uninitiated, please meet Blenheim and hunt some down online. A six-pack makes a stellar holiday gift. And as I mentioned, it also makes a kick-ass dark n' stormy.

Dark n' Stormy n' Spicy
makes 1 drink


1.5 oz dark rum (I like Gosling's Black Seal)

6 oz Blenheim Hot ginger ale

lime wedge


Fill a tall glass with ice and add the rum, ginger ale and a squeeze of lime. Stir and enjoy.