Rum company Gosling’s yesterday raised a glass after its iconic Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktail came 11th in a round-up of the top 50 cocktails.

Prestigious industry magazine Drinks International polled the top 50 bars in the world from a previous poll to find out the best-selling drinks around the globe.

Gosling’s managing director and vice-president of marketing Charles Gosling said: “If you look at some of the cocktails that we are beating, we’ve done extremely well.”

And he added the Gosling’s Black Seal Rum and ginger beer-based combination was a top brand ambassador for Bermuda.

Mr Gosling said: “It’s excellent — we are very much about everything we do overseas makes sure that Bermuda is a part of it.

“We believe Bermuda is an aspirational destination and has the kind of lifestyle most people in the world would love to have.

“We want to tie in the pink beaches, blue skies and turquoise waters and all that stuff with how we promote Black Seal Rum and Dark ‘n’ Stormy overseas.”

The survey said: “Bermuda ahoy! The Dark ‘n’ Stormy is what you are most likely to drink in Bermuda, that and the Rum Swizzle — and the 11th most likely classic at the world’s 50 best bars.

“The history of rum is never far away from seafarers and the Dark ‘n’ Stormy is no different.

“To cut a story’s length, British colonists brought the ginger beer, Gosling’s brought the rum.

“Add a bit of lime and there you have it, the Dark ‘n’ Stormy — worthy of any bloke with a beard and tatts, on or off land.”

But Mr Gosling said tradition had the Dark ‘n’ Stormy was a highball drink and did not need lime.

He added: “The slice of lime is becoming a significant part of it — but if you have the ginger beer and Black Seal Rum, then you’re all set.”

The Dark ‘n’ Stormy was sandwiched by the long-established Whiskey Sour in tenth spot and the vodka-based Moscow Mule in 12th position.

Bermuda’s signature cocktail also beat out the Singapore Sling (45th) the Cosmopolitan in 22nd place and the bourbon-based Mint Julep from the American South in 17th spot.

Drinks International’s Hamish Scott wrote: “Creativity is central to these bars’ attraction but there are also classic cocktails that unite them — from North and South America to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Australasia — ages-old recipes are recreated time and time again.

“Sometimes because customers ask for them, but mostly because these are the drinks that occupy a hallowed place in the hearts of the global bartending community.”