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 classic whiskey sour using Egan’s Irish Whiskey —his go-to—plus lemon, simple syrup, a touch of gree...
Jul 01, 2025•6 min
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: Dan also serves up hot takes on two of his go-to java brands, La Colombe and Free Rein . Along the way...
Jun 24, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 303
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 other than Academy Award–winning director Steven Soderbergh . You know, the guy behind Ocean’s 11 , Magi...
Jun 17, 2025•7 min
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 bravely attempted to find love in a house full of shirtless narcissists while being constantly interrupted...
Jun 10, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 302
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 masterclass, and all vibe. Dan and Brad dive glass-first into a lineup of warm-weather winners, including the s...
Jun 03, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 301
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 Stakes picks, pours, and possibly a few ponies we should avoid like an over-oaked Chardonnay. Making guest a...
May 27, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 300
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 carpets and gold statues, Charles is also the visionary behind Crafthouse Cocktails , one of the fir...
May 20, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 299
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-growing spirits brand, Find Familiar Spirits, and its latest release Quest’s End Druid. Dan and Matt...
May 13, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 298
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 through an intergalactic collaboration between Howard Jackowitz and Craig Spurrier of Spirits That R...
May 06, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 297
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, while Rich shares wild stories from their lakeside adventures that helped inspire the brand. They als...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 296
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 sounds like a science experiment but is actually a clever way to soften acidity and elevate texture. We’l...
Apr 24, 2025•8 min
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 Rodney Strong, Davis Bynum, Hickinbotham, Ex Post Facto, Penner-Ash, Robert Lloyd, and Paula Kornell. ...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 295
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-listers probably wish had stayed buried. Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20...
Apr 15, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 294
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 tequila drink. And in "Drinks of the Week ," Dan dives into two standout bottles: Evil Bean Cold Brew Cof...
Apr 08, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 293
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 version that really sings? Sean Muldoon’s riff from The Dead Rabbit, where a touch of syrup, bitters...
Apr 03, 2025•7 min
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 his Vampire Diaries co-star Paul Wesley. From the joys and challenges of building a spirits brand, to behind-...
Apr 01, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 292
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 dive into the world of overly upbeat headlines, spinning some truly ridiculous PR-friendly takes on bad ne...
Mar 18, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 291
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 selections from Egan’s, Natterjack, Bushmills, and Two Stacks , offering expert insight, colorful bante...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 290
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, and just the right amount of brain-dead. Which brings us to the 2025 installment of The Liam Neeson D...
Mar 04, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 289
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 a slick combo of vanilla vodka, passion fruit purée, passion fruit liqueur, lime juice, and a shot of...
Feb 25, 2025•7 min
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 Finger Beer (which sounds either deeply religious or wildly inappropriate), and Pucker —a liqueur that’s ...
Feb 18, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 288
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 Irish-American whiskey brand he co-founded with his Sunny cohorts Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day. They sip...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 287
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 in the right hands, it’s a masterpiece. And here’s the cherry on top—bartending legend Dale DeGroff h...
Feb 04, 2025•8 min
As he approaches the finish line on his latest book—a full-length novel, no less—Dan reflects on the rollercoaster ride of being a published author. The highs, the lows, and the myths people often get wrong—he lays it all bare. Plus, an in-depth dive into everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Hot Toddy but didn’t know how to ask. And don’t miss the exciting details about a live podcast recording featuring Glen Howerton of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, happening January 29th in Ven...
Jan 28, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 286
This episode dives into Cristalino, a fast-growing and unique tequila category celebrated for its combination of aged complexity and crystal-clear appearance. First introduced in Mexico in 2008 with Maestro Dobel Diamante, crafted by 11th-generation tequila maker and visionary Juan Domingo Beckmann, Cristalino has become a game-changer. It's growing three times faster than the overall tequila market and is projected to make up 7% of U.S. tequila sales by 2027. Dan, Katia, and Brad are joined by ...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 285
Dan reflects on the profound heartbreak of the recent Los Angeles fires, which left a trail of devastation across the city he calls home. He also speaks from the heart about the recent passing of his beloved dog, Buna, whose absence has left a void in his life. Buna was more than a companion—she was a source of joy, comfort, and unwavering loyalty. In the midst of unimaginable loss, his memories of her serve as a bittersweet reminder of resilience and the enduring power of love, even in the face...
Jan 14, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 284
We're kicking off 2025 in style with one of our most lively and enlightening episodes yet! The spotlight is on Japanese whisky, and Dan's got an all-star lineup of guests: world-renowned spirits guru Brad Japhe, Emmy-winning writer and comedian Tom Caltabiano, and Emmy-winning actor Dulé Hill—yes, the guy from The West Wing and Psych (and plenty of other gems). The whiskies they're savoring? Only the finest: Hibiki Harmony, Nikka from the Barrel, Mars Iwai Komagatake, Kanosuke, and Chichibu. But...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 59 min•Season 1Ep. 283
It’s the end of the year. The magical season where every critic, pundit, and unemployed know-it-all crawls out of their hole to slap you in the face with lists. Oh, the lists . “Best of this.” “Most compelling that.” Like you’ve been wandering through 2024 in some kind of cultural fog, just praying for some random chump to come along and tell you which Taylor Swift song defined your existence. What have you been doing all year? Living under a rock? Completely unaware of the Top Ten Ways to Make ...
Dec 17, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 282
Eggnog: the boozy holiday sweater you drink. A festive concoction born from the unholy union of eggs, cream, sugar, and whatever bottle of booze your uncle reaches for first. Traditionally spiked with rum, brandy, or bourbon (or all three if you’re aiming for a sleigh ride straight to DrunkyTown), this yuletide classic feels like a dessert, a drink, and a dare all at once. Our Sponsors: * Check out Diet Smoke and use my code WWDPOD20 for a great deal: https://www.dietsmoke.com Advertising Inquir...
Dec 10, 2024•6 min
The Paper Plane is a drink so perfectly balanced, it could moonlight as a tightrope walker. Born in 2008 at the hands of NYC bar legend Sam Ross , this beauty is an equal-parts wonder: bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and fresh lemon juice, shaken into a frothy symphony of citrusy, bittersweet perfection. It’s light enough for summer, complex enough for winter, and just strong enough to make your in-laws semi-tolerable this holiday season. Served up in a coupe, it’s as sleek and stylish as its nam...
Dec 03, 2024•9 min
