Three Dots and a Dash
A lush tiki classic of rum, honey, citrus and spice: sweet, fresh and a little exotic.
Ingredients
- Rhum Agricole, rhum agricole vieux45 ml
- Dark rum, aged blended rum15 ml
- Allspice dram, allspice liqueur7.5 ml
- Lime juice, freshly squeezed15 ml
- Orange juice, freshly squeezed15 ml
- Honey syrup (3 parts Honey, 1 part Water)15 ml
- Aromatic bitters (Angostura)e.g. Angostura2 dashes
- Cocktail cherry, to garnish (optional)3 whole
- Pineapple, to garnish (optional)1 wedge
Method
- Combine the rhum agricole, dark rum, allspice dram, lime juice, orange juice, honey syrup and Angostura bitters in a blender or shaker.
- Add a generous scoop of crushed ice and flash blend for 5–10 seconds, until cold and slightly frothy.
- Pour everything, ice included, into a pilsner glass or tiki mug.
- Top with extra crushed ice if there is room in the glass.
- Garnish with three cocktail cherries (the 'dots') and a piece of pineapple or a pineapple leaf (the 'dash') on a cocktail pick.
Donn Beach (Don the Beachcomber)
About this drink
Three Dots and a Dash was created by Donn Beach during the Second World War as a salute to victory: the name is Morse code for 'V'. It is one of tiki's most celebrated compositions, with rhum agricole bringing grassy depth while honey and allspice dram build a warm layer of spice on top. The three cocktail cherries and the pineapple are more than a garnish; they spell out the Morse letter in the glass.
Questions and answers
What does the name Three Dots and a Dash mean?
It is the Morse code for 'V', as in victory: a tiki classic of the Second World War era, garnished with three cherries (the dots) and a piece of pineapple (the dash).
Why is the drink flash blended for only 5–10 seconds?
A short blend gives a light, frothy texture without melting all the ice. Blend too long and the drink turns thin and watery.
