Three Dots and a Dash
Three Dots and a Dash: Donn Beach's WWII Victory Cocktail
Donn created the Three Dots and a Dash recipe during WWII at his original Don the Beachcomber location in Hollywood, California. The drink's name, the three dots and a dash, denote the letter V in Morse code, presumably to signify victory The Drunkard's Almanac. Donn Beach served in the American Air Force from 1942 to 1945 and created this cocktail as a tribute to the Allied forces the MINUTE BARTENDER.
The garnish cleverly represents the Morse code. The three cherries are the 'dots, and the 'dash' was, traditionally, at Don the Beachcomber's, a rectangular chunk of pineapple James Beard Foundation. Like many Don the Beachcomber cocktails, the original recipe was kept secret through coded ingredients. Jeff interviewed old bartenders of Donn the Beachcombers and set out to recreate Donn's secret recipes to the best of their knowledge Vintageamericancocktails, publishing the recovered recipe in his 2007 book Sippin' Safari.
The cocktail features multiple rums, citrus juices, honey, falernum, and allspice dram, creating a complex blend of tropical flavors with warming spices that became a tiki bar staple.
RECIPE:
½ oz aged rhum agricole
½ oz aged rum
½ oz falernum
¼ oz allspice dram
¾ oz lime juice
½ oz orange juice
½ oz honey syrup
Method:
Add all ingredients to blender with crushed ice
Flash blend until smooth
Pour into pilsner glass
Garnish with 3 cherries, pineapple wedge or mint