---
title: "Three Dots and a Dash Recipe: Ingredients & Method | Dilay 1949"
url: https://dilay1949spicedrum.com/spiced-rum-cocktails/three-dots-and-a-dash
description: "Make Three Dots and a Dash with measured ingredients, a complete method and practical serving tips. Credited source version, ingredient distinctions and UK alcohol units."
lang: en
---

# Three Dots and a Dash

Serves 1 · 5 minutes · Footed glass or tall tumbler

Last updated 1 November 2026

◆ THE RECIPE ◆

Image: Illustration of a Three Dots and a Dash cocktail (https://dilay1949spicedrum.com/assets/three-dots-and-a-dash-recipe-DALxK002.jpg)

This IBA specification combines Martinique agricole and aged blended rum with falernum, allspice, lime, orange and honey syrup. The three cherries and rectangular pineapple garnish echo the drink’s name; the distinct syrups and liqueurs matter more than elaborate glassware.

## Ingredients

- — 45ml Martinique rhum agricole (50% ABV assumed)
- — 15ml aged blended rum (40% ABV assumed)
- — 7.5ml falernum liqueur (11% ABV assumed)
- — 7.5ml St Elizabeth Allspice Dram (22% ABV assumed)
- — 15ml fresh lime juice
- — 15ml fresh orange juice
- — 15ml honey syrup (1:1 honey to water by weight; house concentration)
- — 2ml Angostura bitters (44.7% ABV assumed; house measure for two dashes)
- — 340g crushed ice, plus more to finish
- — Three cocktail cherries and a rectangular pineapple piece, to garnish

## Method

1. Measure all eight liquids into an ice-rated blender. Honey comes from the separately added syrup; check falernum and other labels for allergens.
2. Add the crushed ice and flash-blend briefly until combined, not a fully melted liquid. Stop the motor before opening.
3. Pour the contents into a footed glass or tall tumbler and top with fresh crushed ice as space permits.
4. Garnish with three cherries and a rectangular piece of pineapple. Serve without adding another rum measure.

## The classic vs the spiced version

The liquid proportions follow the IBA, with explicit house bitters volume and honey-syrup concentration. Replace only the 15ml blended aged rum with 15ml Dilay for a small spiced adaptation. Keep the Martinique agricole component: Dilay is not agricole rum and cannot be described as reproducing it.

## Tips for getting it right

- — The IBA states 12 ounces of crushed ice; 340g is our rounded weight interpretation. Ice texture and blender power change dilution.
- — The IBA does not specify honey-syrup concentration. Our 1:1 by-weight choice is explicit; richer syrup makes a different balance.
- — Use alcoholic falernum and allspice dram, not non-alcoholic syrups, for this specification. Falernum may contain almond.
- — The 50% agricole is an assumption for units, not an ABV stated by the IBA. Check your actual bottle.

## Related serves

Related recipe: Navy Grog (https://dilay1949spicedrum.com/spiced-rum-cocktails/navy-grog)

Related recipe: Jet Pilot (https://dilay1949spicedrum.com/spiced-rum-cocktails/jet-pilot)

## Frequently asked questions

### Does all the alcohol come from rum?

No. Both rums, falernum, allspice dram and bitters contribute. The stated-strength calculation counts all five.

### Is honey already in the rum?

The measured honey here comes from the separately added honey syrup. It is not a claim about ingredients in either rum or in Dilay.

Dilay 1949 is our own spiced rum, for sipping as well as mixing. Any substitution described above is a maker’s adaptation, not part of the credited specification.

BUY DILAY 1949 PANJABI SPICED RUM (https://shop.dilay1949spicedrum.com/)

## Recipe references

- IBA: Three Dots and a Dash: https://iba-world.com/iba-cocktail/three-dots-and-a-dash/

Our method and spiced adaptations are described separately from the referenced classic specifications.

Approx. 3.19 UK units per serving from the measured alcoholic ingredients. Where a source gives US fluid ounces, our rounded conversion uses 30ml per ounce. Stated strengths are calculation assumptions, not verified specifications for every bottle. Bitters use an explicit house measure of 1ml per dash, not a universal dash conversion. Check all labels; dilution does not remove alcohol.

Please drink responsibly. 18+. Visit https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/ for the facts.

← ALL COCKTAIL RECIPES: https://dilay1949spicedrum.com/spiced-rum-cocktails
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