What We're Drinking with Dan Dunn

This is an  encore presentation  of “The 3-Minute Bartender,” because Dan is currently on vacation celebrating his birthday—and by vacation, we mean drinking professionally in a different zip code. In about the time it takes to jot down a grocery list or purge your social media feed, he’ll tell you everything you need to know about  The Last Word, a classic, gin-based Prohibition-era cocktail that...

On this episode of  What We're Drinking , Dan unloads on the worst spirit he's ever tasted, calling it nothing short of “Chernobyl in a bottle.” We also debut a brand-new segment,  History at Work , kicking things off with a deep dive into Rum Row, the floating lifeline that kept Americans buzzed during the buzzkill that was Prohibition. And in  Drinks of the Week , we’re shouting out Kleos , the...

In this festive installment of 3-Minute Bartender, we’re trading stars and stripes for a splash of green with a bold, Irish-inspired cocktail: the Shamrock Sour . Sure, it sounds like a St. Paddy’s Day special, but Dan makes the case for celebrating America’s birthday with a nod to the 33 million proud Irish-Americans who helped build (and booze up) this country. Dan mixes up a modern riff on the...

It’s a very special caffeinated edition of the show, as Dan turns his attention to his other liquid obsession: coffee. Joining him is none other than Maynard James Keenan . Yes, that Maynard—vocalist for bands you’ve definitely cranked up loud, and also the man behind Caduceus Cellars, Merkin Vineyards… and now, Queen Bee Vinyl Cafe , a kickass coffee roaster in Arizona. But wait, there’s more: Da...

On this installment of the Nobel Prize–snubbed (but emotionally validated) “3-Minute Bartender,” Dan dives headfirst into the Chuflay , Bolivia’s national cocktail and perhaps the only drink in history that sounds like a command to swat insects. That’s right, it’s Chuflay (pronounced “shoo-fly”). Our intrepid host was first introduced to this oddly named but downright delightful drink by none othe...

On this episode of  What We’re Drinking , Dan is joined by JoJo Fletcher and Mallory Patton , the dynamic duo behind Saint Spritz , a ready-to-drink cocktail brand that’s clean, crisp, and free of Red 40, artificial sweeteners, and all the other crap we’ve been pretending not to notice in our drinks. You might also recognize JoJo from her time on  The Bachelor  and  The Bachelorette , where she br...

It’s officially summer, and that means one thing: it’s time to drink like it. In this sun-soaked episode of  What We’re Drinking , Dan is joined by world-renowned spirits savant Brad Japhe for a spirited showdown of the season’s most essential cocktails. Recorded on-location at the culinary wonderland that is Hatchet Hall in Culver City, this episode is part tasting session, part expert masterclas...

It’s the big 3-0-0 on  What We’re Drinking with Dan Dunn , and we’re popping metaphorical (and literal) bottles to celebrate! Joining Dan for this milestone episode is cocktail royalty  Dale DeGroff , the godfather of the modern bartending movement, who mixes up wisdom and wit in equal measure. Also pulling up a barstool: ace horse racing handicapper  Pete Fornatale , who shares some Belmont Stake...

On this episode of What We’re Drinking , Dan welcomes back an old friend and true titan of the tipple: James Beard Award-winning bartender Charles Joly . If you’ve ever watched the Oscars or the Emmys and wondered who’s responsible for keeping Hollywood’s elite well-lubricated, look no further—Charles has been crafting cocktails for the stars on the industry’s biggest nights for years. Beyond red...

He’s baaaack! Actor, director, and spirits entrepreneur Matthew Lillard returns for a long-overdue second round, exactly one year after his first visit, because clearly, we’re creatures of habit (and good taste). This time around, Matthew dives even deeper into his wildly entertaining acting career—from Scream to Scooby-Doo to Five Nights at Freddy's and beyond—and gives us the latest on his fast-...

On this episode, we’re boldly going where no podcast has gone before... but first, Dan kicks things off with his hotly debated, no-holds-barred list of the  Top 5 Drinking Cities of 2025 . Did your hometown make the cut? Is it time to move? Tune in and find out. Then, it's warp speed into whiskey as we beam up a special segment featuring two out-of-this-world Star Trek-inspired expressions—crafted...

Dan is joined by actor Wyatt Russell and producer Rich Peete , who swing by Baby Blues BBQ in Venice Beach to talk about their fast-growing line of ready-to-drink cocktails, Lake Hour — a delicious tribute to summertime, friendship and carefree afternoons that often turn into epic nights. Wyatt dishes on what it was like growing up with Hollywood royalty Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn for parents, w...

On this episode of  3-Minute Bartender , we’re diving into the Clarified New York Sour, a cocktail that takes a beloved classic and gives it a polished, velvety upgrade. That’s right, it’s your old whiskey sour, if it went to finishing school, got a skincare routine, and started quoting David Sedaris at parties. We’ll walk through the milk clarification process step by step, demystifying what soun...

Spring is here, and so is our latest roundup of seasonal standouts:  Spring Wines Wonderooski '25 ! This episode is extra special, as it marks what could be the final in-studio appearance of our longtime wine expert — and dear friend — Claire Coppi, before she heads off to start a new chapter in Idaho. We toast Claire in style with an unforgettable lineup of whites, rosés, reds, and bubbles from R...

Dan’s guest is Rodolphe Lameyse , CEO of Vinexposium and the driving force behind Vinexpo America 2025—the premier wine and spirits trade event in North America. They dig into shifting Millennial and Gen Z drinking habits, and the uphill battle the adult beverage industry faces amid economic chaos fueled by the Trump administration. Plus, Dan rewinds to some early horror movie roles Hollywood A-li...

On this episode of  What We’re Drinking , Dan kicks things off with another round of  “It’s Driving Me to Drink,” unleashing a well-deserved rant about one of the most obnoxious TV commercials ever made (you’ve definitely seen it… and hated it). Then it’s  Margarita Time  with special guest  Caroline Pardilla , the cocktail queen behind the brand-new book that’s all about the world’s most beloved...

On this episode of  3-Minute Bartender , we tip our caps, and our glasses, to the Tipperary , a criminally underrated Irish cocktail that deserves a standing ovation (or at least a respectful slow clap). Born in 1916 from the mind of Hugo Ensslin—yes, the same mad genius who gave us the Aviation—the original recipe called for equal parts Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth, and green Chartreuse. But the...

Recorded live at the iconic  Townhouse in Venice Beach  in front of a sold-out crowd, this special episode of  What We’re Drinking with Dan Dunn  features actor, environmentalist, and bourbon evangelist  Ian Somerhalder  — best known for his roles in  Vampire Diaries  and  Lost . Ian joins Dan on stage to talk all things  Brother’s Bond Bourbon , the wildly popular whiskey brand he co-founded with...

In this special episode of  What We’re Drinking , Dan Dunn raises a glass to  Women’s History Month  with  Dr. Nicola Nice , sociologist, spirits industry trailblazer, and author of  The Cocktail Parlor . They discuss the overlooked role of women in cocktail culture, the evolution of home bartending, and the importance of representation in the drinks world. Also on the show, Dan takes a humorous d...

Sláinte! In this festive St. Patrick’s Day episode, Dan raises a glass (or several) to the Emerald Isle’s finest export, Irish whiskey. Recorded at The Corner Door in Culver City, Dan is joined by legendary booze adventurer  Zane Lamprey (former host of  Three Sheets ) and esteemed spirits writer  Brad Japhe  for an in-depth exploration of some of Ireland’s best drams. Together, they sip and savor...

In Dan’s time so far on this spinning hell rock, he’s uncovered two key coping mechanisms for dealing with life’s relentless, inexplicable bullshit: strong drink and Liam Neeson, ideally in tandem. There’s a comforting, almost medicinal predictability to a Liam Neeson movie, kind of like a well-loved bottle of whiskey. Give it a few hours, and you know you’ll be left feeling warm, slightly numb, a...

Welcome to  3-Minute Bartender , the podcast for people who love cocktails but have the attention span of a goldfish on Red Bull. Today, we’re diving into the  Pornstar Martini, a drink so scandalously named, it’s practically clickbait in a coupe glass. This passion fruit-fueled beauty was created in the early 2000s by Douglas Ankrah, a London bartender who clearly knew how to get a reaction. It’s...

This week, Dan takes a deep dive into the bizarre, the baffling, and the downright ridiculous world of alcohol branding. Ever perused a liquor store shelf and thought, “Who the hell greenlit  that  name?” Well, you’re not alone. Dan’s rounding up some of the most questionable monikers in booze history, including  Fat Bastard Wine (perfect for your next passive-aggressive dinner party),  Bishop’s F...

Recorded in front of a packed house at the legendary Townhouse in Venice Beach, this special live episode of  What We’re Drinking  features none other than Glenn Howerton —actor, writer, and the man responsible for making sociopathic narcissism look downright charming as Dennis Reynolds on  It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Glenn joins Dan and co-host Brad Japhe to talk about  Four Walls , the Ir...

This episode of 3-Minute Bartender celebrates one of the most fascinating—and criminally underrated—cocktails of the early 20th century: the  Blood and Sand . Named after a 1922 silent film about bullfighting, this drink is proof that sometimes the weirdest combinations create the biggest magic. Scotch, sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur, and orange juice might sound like a boozy identity crisis, but...