Three Dots and a Dash

The Three Dots and a Dash is a legendary tiki drink created by Donn Beach of Don the Beachcomber fame. It's a masterful blend of aged rhum agricole and blended rum, accented by the spicy notes of allspice dram and falernum. Balanced with fresh lime, orange juice, and a touch of honey, the drink is known for its intricate flavor profile that is at once fruity, spicy, and strong, offering a true journey in a glass.
Three Dots and a Dash

Preparation

Preparation time: 7 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Three Dots and a Dash is a quintessential Tiki cocktail. This category is known for its rum-based recipes, complex flavor profiles combining fruit and spice, and elaborate, thematic presentation. It stands as a classic example of the genre pioneered by Donn Beach.

Serving

This strong, cold drink is traditionally served in a distinctive, chilled Tiki mug filled with crushed ice. Its relatively high alcohol content is well-integrated into the complex flavor profile.
Serving size
Approximately 180-210 ml / 6-7 oz (before ice)
Alcohol content
Approximately 20-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Tiki Mug
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by Donn Beach around 1943 during the height of World War II, this cocktail was a tribute to the Allied forces. The name "Three Dots and a Dash" is the representation of the letter "V" in Morse code (• • • —), a powerful symbol for "Victory". The signature garnish of three cherries and a pineapple spear was designed to visually mimic this code, embedding a message of hope in the drink.
Origin
United States, circa 1943. The drink was invented by Donn Beach at his Don the Beachcomber restaurant in Hollywood, California.

Three Dots and a Dash

The cocktail's name, Three Dots and a Dash, is consistently used, though sometimes an ampersand is substituted for the word "and". The name is a direct reference to the Morse code signal for the letter "V", which stands for Victory. This was a poignant symbol during World War II, the era of the drink's creation.
Original name
Three Dots and a Dash
Alternative name
Three Dots & a Dash

Characteristics overview

A complex aroma of tropical fruit and warm spice leads to a rich, full-bodied palate where sweet, sour, and spicy notes are in perfect harmony. The finish is long and warming, making it a refreshing yet substantial summery drink.
Flavor
Complex, Fruity, Spicy, Tropical, Sweet, Tart, Rum-forward
Aroma
Tropical fruit, Allspice, Clove, Molasses, Fresh citrus, Grassy sugarcane
Taste balance
Sweet, Sour, Spicy
Aftertaste
Long, Warming, Spicy, Complex
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Amber, Golden-brown
Texture
Rich, Smooth, Full-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery, All-season for tiki fans

Flavor intensity & Experience

This drink has a high flavor intensity, characterized by a strong balance of fruitiness, sourness, and spice, with a noticeable sweetness and a potent alcoholic strength. It is a still, non-creamy cocktail.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe requires two distinct styles of rum, fresh citrus juices, and key tiki flavorings like falernum and allspice dram. Honey syrup adds sweetness while a dash of bitters ties everything together.
  • Aged Rhum Agricole Vieux45 ml / 1.5 oz
    Provides a grassy, funky backbone to the drink.
  • Blended Aged Rum15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Adds depth and classic molasses notes. A Jamaican or Demerara rum works well.
  • Fresh Lime Juice30 ml / 1 oz
    Essential for the fresh, sour component.
  • Orange Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Freshly squeezed is highly recommended for best flavor.
  • Honey Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Made by mixing one part honey with one part warm water until dissolved.
  • Falernum15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A spiced syrup or liqueur with notes of lime, almond, and ginger or clove.
  • Allspice Dram7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    A rum-based liqueur heavily flavored with allspice berries, crucial for the drink's spicy character.
  • Angostura Aromatic Bitters1 dash
    Helps to bind the complex flavors together.

Ice type

  • Crushed

Mixing equipments

You'll need a standard cocktail shaker set for combining and chilling the ingredients. A jigger is essential for the precise measurements required to balance this complex drink.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling ingredients.
  • Jigger for accurately measuring liquids.
  • Citrus juicer for extracting fresh juice.

Instructions

This cocktail is built by shaking all ingredients with crushed ice and then pouring the entire mixture into a chilled tiki mug. The drink is then topped with more crushed ice and finished with its signature historical garnish.
1. If possible, chill your serving glass (Tiki mug or Collins glass) in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.
2. Combine all ingredients—rhum agricole, blended rum, lime juice, orange juice, honey syrup, falernum, allspice dram, and bitters—into a cocktail shaker.
3. Add approximately 1 cup of crushed ice to the shaker.
4. Shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds until the shaker is frosty and the drink is well-chilled and slightly diluted.
5. Pour the entire contents of the shaker, including the ice, into your chilled glass (this is known as a "dirty dump").
6. Top the glass with more crushed ice, creating a small mound on top.
7. Create the garnish by spearing three maraschino cherries onto a cocktail pick. Place the pick across the rim of the glass and insert a pineapple frond or spear vertically behind it.
8. Add a straw and serve immediately.

Garnishing

The iconic garnish visually represents the drink's name in Morse code. Use a cocktail pick with three cherries for the "dots" and a pineapple frond for the "dash".
  • Three maraschino cherries speared on a cocktail pick to represent the three dots.
  • One pineapple frond or a long pineapple spear placed behind the cherries to represent the dash.

Dietary Information

This alcoholic beverage is vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free, but it is not vegan due to the use of honey. It may not be suitable for those with nut allergies as falernum can contain almond extract.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✕ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a fairly caloric cocktail due to the multiple spirits, syrups, and juices. Its carbohydrate and sugar content is also high, typical for many classic tiki drinks.
Calories
Approximately 280-320 kcal / 1170-1340 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 25-30 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 22-27 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for themed tiki parties, warm summer gatherings, or any occasion that calls for a fun and transportive drink. Its historical significance and unique presentation make it a great conversation starter for celebrations and special cocktail hours.
  • Summer Party
  • Tiki Night
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Celebration

Pairing suggestions

The cocktail's spicy-sweet profile pairs beautifully with classic American Chinese or Polynesian-style appetizers found on a Pu Pu platter. It also complements the flavors of grilled meats, especially those with a sweet or spicy glaze, and fried seafood like coconut shrimp.
  • Pu Pu Platter
  • Spicy Asian appetizers like spring rolls or dumplings
  • Grilled pork or chicken with a tropical glaze
  • Coconut shrimp

Three Dots and a Dash: A Taste of Tiki Victory

The Three Dots and a Dash is a titan of the tiki cocktail world, offering a complex and rewarding drinking experience. Created by the legendary Donn Beach during WWII, its name is a nod to the Morse code for "Victory." With a potent blend of rums, warm spices from allspice and falernum, and fresh tropical fruits, it's a perfectly balanced drink that is both strong and refreshing. The iconic garnish is not just decorative but tells the story of its patriotic origins, making it a true classic with a soul.

Similar Cocktails

Zombie

Another complex Donn Beach creation that is typically stronger, featuring three or more rums (including overproof), and different spices like cinnamon syrup and Pernod.

You May Also Like

Limoncello Spritz

A bright, bubbly, and citrus-forward cocktail that combines sweet limoncello with crisp prosecco and a splash of soda water.

Painkiller

A tropical tiki cocktail blending dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut, garnished with fresh nutmeg.

Chilcano

A supremely refreshing and simple Peruvian highball made with pisco, lime juice, ginger ale, and bitters.

Blue Motorcycle

A potent and visually striking blue cocktail that's a citrus-forward variation of the Long Island Iced Tea.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Golden Glove

A sophisticated and spirit-forward cocktail balancing the smokiness of Scotch with the funk of Jamaican rum, nutty sherry, and bright orange.

Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail

A vibrant and refreshing gin cocktail that beautifully balances the sweet-tartness of blood orange with the floral notes of elderflower liqueur.

Death in the Afternoon

A potent and aromatic cocktail made with absinthe and Champagne, famously invented by Ernest Hemingway.

Averna Limonata

A refreshingly simple Italian highball that perfectly balances the bittersweet herbal notes of Amaro Averna with bright, zesty lemon soda.