One way to kick off a holiday weekend? At a Bermuda Tourism lunch at Talula’s Garden in Philadelphia. The Washington Square Park restaurant is one of my favorites in the city, so I was happy to attend on behalf of GT.

After a brief meet-and-greet with Bermuda Tourism and Gosling’s Rum representatives, we sat down for a three-course lunch paired with a variety of Gosling’s cocktails, including its signature drink, the Dark ‘n’ Stormy.

The family-owned and -operated Gosling’s has been in Bermuda since 1806 and has become the official rum of the island.

As Bermuda legend has it, a sailor was cut off at a bar by the bartender, replacing the patron’s drink with ginger beer. The sailor took one sip and knew his drink had been switched and demanded the bartender add rum. To avoid a fight, the bartender obliged and added a shot of Gosling’s — which uniquely floated on top of the ginger beer. The sailor said the rum resembled a dark and stormy cloud, and the rest is history. Now common in most bars and restaurants in the country, Gosling’s Dark ‘n’ Stormy is the only trademarked drink in the industry, guaranteeing taste consistency and made with authentic ingredients wherever it is on the menu.

Walking into the holiday weekend with the Bermuda spirit was just what this cold spring weather called for.

— Angelique Platas, assistant editor