Three Dots and a DashCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Three Dots and a Dash is a classic tiki cocktail that channels the mid-century boom in rum-forward, tropical drinks. You’ll find it built in the spirit of escapist Polynesian-bar culture, where layered rums, spice, and citrus create something bigger than the sum of its parts. While its exact origin details aren’t universally pinned to a single moment, it sits firmly in the canon of drinks designed to taste like a vacation—bold, aromatic, and unapologetically festive.
On the palate, gold rum brings a rounded sweetness while Jamaican rum adds a deeper, funkier backbone. Lime juice snaps everything into focus, and orange juice softens that edge with gentle fruit sweetness. Honey syrup gives a smooth, lingering richness, while falernum adds spiced, lightly sweet complexity that dovetails with the allspice dram’s warm clove-like punch. A dash of aromatic bitters tightens the finish and keeps the sweetness in check.
Served in a pint glass, this is the kind of drink you reach for when you want something lively, fragrant, and full-bodied. You’ll enjoy it at parties, summer get-togethers, or any night you’re craving tiki energy without a one-note sugar rush—especially if you like your citrus cocktails with real spice and rum character.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Pint glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Gold rum and Jamaican rum lead with warm molasses depth, while allspice dram, falernum, and aromatic bitters stack clove-like spice over bright orange juice and lime juice, rounded by honey syrup’s floral sweetness. It works because the lime’s snap and bitters’ dryness keep the honey and orange from turning syrupy, making it ideal for spice lovers who want a bold, rum-forward tropical pour.
Method
How to make a Three Dots and a Dash
- Gold rum 30ml, Jamaican rum 15ml, Allspice dram 7.5ml, Aromatic bitters 1 dash, Falernum 7.5ml, Orange juice 15ml, Lime juice 15ml, Honey syrup 15ml
-
- Start by combining all the ingredients in a blender, adding a 6oz scoop of crushed ice
-
- Blend everything quickly, just until combined, for a technique known as "flash blending
-
- " Pour the blended mix into a Tiki mug or a pilsner glass, whichever you prefer
-
- Add a bit more crushed ice on top to keep it extra chilly
-
- Finally, serve your frosty beverage with eco-friendly, sustainable straws to enjoy responsibly
Power tips
Elevate the Three Dots and a Dash with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Use freshly squeezed lime and orange juice for the most vibrant and natural flavors.
- Opt for a premium aged rum to add complexity and richness to the drink.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail
· Tiki ·Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the origin of the name 'Three Dots and a Dash'?
The name 'Three Dots and a Dash' originates from Morse code, where it translates to the letter 'V'. This was used during World War II to symbolize victory. The cocktail itself is a classic Tiki drink, embodying the spirit of celebration and the exotic flair of Polynesian culture.
What does the '18.72%' alcohol content mean in practical terms?
An alcohol content of 18.72% means that the cocktail is moderately strong. For reference, most table wines hover around 12% to 15% alcohol by volume (ABV), so 'Three Dots and a Dash' is stronger than wine but not as potent as straight spirits, which typically are 40% ABV or higher. It is ideal for sipping and enjoying the complex flavors without the immediate punch of a stronger drink.
Can the rums in 'Three Dots and a Dash' be substituted with other types of rum?
Yes, the rums can be substituted, but doing so might alter the intended flavor profile of the cocktail. The original recipe calls for gold rum and Jamaican rum to balance sweetness, body, and depth. If substitutions are made, aim to match these characteristics as closely as possible. For instance, using a different dark rum instead of Jamaican rum might work, but the cocktail could lose some of its unique flavors.
What is the significance of using both lime and orange juice?
Using both lime and orange juice in 'Three Dots and a Dash' brings a balanced acidity and sweetness to the cocktail, enhancing its tropical character. Lime juice adds sharpness and brightness, while orange juice contributes a sweeter, more rounded citrus note. This combination helps to create a more complex and layered flavor profile, adding depth to the overall taste.
How should the 'Three Dots and a Dash' cocktail be garnished?
Traditionally, 'Three Dots and a Dash' is garnished with a combination that reflects its Tiki spirit, such as a maraschino cherry, a slice of orange, and a sprig of mint. For a more authentic presentation, adding a fun garnish like an umbrella, edible flowers, or even a small skewer with a cherry and a pineapple cube can enhance the exotic appeal and visually signify its Polynesian inspiration.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Dive into this unique mix of rum and Cognac.
Scorpion
Cognac, Gold rum, Orange juice, Lemon juice, Orgeat syrup
Discover this rich blend of cognac and bitters.
The Bâton Rouge
Cognac, Gold rum, Red vermouth, Aromatic bitters, Peychaud's Aromatic Bitters
Experience this vibrant mix of rum and citrus.
Hemingway Special Daiquiri (Papa Doble)
Gold rum, Pink grapefruit juice, Lime juice, Sugar / simple syrup, Maraschino cherry
Dive into this tropical mix of rum and pineapple.
Going for Gold
Gold rum, Pineapple juice, Lime juice, Double Dutch Ginger Beer
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments