What We're Drinking with Dan Dunn

Ghosts, goblins, jack-o'-lanterns, and booze. Halloween has come a long way in 2,000 years, but one thing hasn't changed: people have been celebrating with spirits—both supernatural and alcoholic—for centuries. In this special Halloween edition of History at Work and in the Making, Dan traces the holiday's fascinating history, from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain to the Irish immigrants who brought their traditions to America. Along the way, we discover why people started wearing costumes, how trick-or-treating evolved from medieval customs involving food and ale, why jack-o'-lanterns were originally carved from turnips, and what bobbing for apples once had to do with finding a spouse.

Plus, the origins of Halloween mischief, the surprising role of hard cider, and how a holiday devoted to warding off evil spirits became one of America's favorite excuses to enjoy the good ones. Pour yourself something delicious and settle in for a spirited journey through Halloween history. Presented by Warbringer Mesquite Smoked Southwest Bourbon. Learn more at warbringerbourbon.com. Because good stories deserve good pours.

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Dan welcomes actor Dulé Hill, entertainment industry veteran Tom Caltabiano, and Brad Japhe for an episode that pairs exceptional Scotch whisky with a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the state of modern entertainment.

As the foursome explore an impressive lineup of whiskies from Glenglassaugh, The Glenlivet, Rosebank, Glen Scotia, and Laphroaig, they dig into the seismic changes reshaping Hollywood, from the shifting economics of television and film to the challenges facing creative talent in an industry that seems increasingly unsure of what audiences actually want. Along the way, they share stories, insights, and plenty of laughs, with a special appearance by Martingale Cognac adding a little French sophistication to an otherwise Scottish affair.

It's an entertaining collision of show business and the spirits business, featuring great whisky, strong opinions, and an unfiltered look at an entertainment industry in the midst of a major identity crisis.

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Liqueurs don't always get the respect they deserve. We're here to change that. Just in time for National Liqueur Day, Dan Dunn and acclaimed spirits writer Brad Japhe explore one of the drinking world's most colorful, versatile, and deliciously misunderstood categories. It's a spirited journey through centuries of history, fascinating origin stories, closely guarded recipes, and the people who turned humble botanical concoctions into some of the world's most beloved drinks. Along the way, Dan and Brad celebrate an all-star lineup featuring Disaronno, Tia Maria, Averna, Fernet-Branca, Aperol, Campari, Sarti Rosa, Domaine de Canton, Hpnotiq, and PAMA.

From Italian aperitivo culture and the enduring appeal of amaro to the surprising stories behind iconic bottles, this episode is a full-throated celebration of the sweeter, bitterer, and occasionally weirder side of the spirits world. Consider it our love letter to liqueur. Sealed with a kiss. Served with a twist.

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It’s cocktail hour, and Anna Vocino is here to make sure there’s something good to eat with whatever’s in your glass. The actress, comedian, bestselling cookbook author and founder of Eat Happy Kitchen joins Dan to talk about her new book, Eat Happy Cocktail Hour: Deliciously Gluten Free and Low Carb Sips, Dips, and Bites and the art of eating and drinking well without sucking all the fun out of it.

Also on the show, Dan revisits an article he wrote years ago about the ruination of one of Venice Beach’s most iconic streets and discovers, somewhat depressingly, that the damn thing may be even more relevant today than when he wrote it. And finally: Ever wonder what it would be like to have drinks with Yoda? Of course you have. Well, wonder no more.

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This week, Dan sits down with acclaimed bartender Kenta Goto and award-winning drinks writer Noah Rothbaum to talk about their new book, The Goto Bartender’s Guide, a look at Japanese cocktail culture through the drinks, techniques, traditions, and philosophy that have shaped Goto’s singular approach to bartending and hospitality.

Also on the show: a fresh round of Drinks of the Week, with Dan cracking into wine, vodka, and rye whiskey. And in the latest History at Work and in the Making, we go back to a time when putting ice in a cocktail wasn’t just a given—and trace the unlikely history of how frozen water became one of the most important ingredients behind the bar.

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Dan takes a look at how the Trump administration’s tariffs are hitting the drinks business, from distilleries, wineries and importers to bars, restaurants and, ultimately, the people picking up the tab. Who’s getting squeezed, how much money is at stake, and what could all of this mean for the price of your next bottle or cocktail?

The episode also includes Dan’s tribute to his friend Bryan “Bald Bryan” Bishop, the beloved longtime co-host of The Adam Carolla Show, who passed away last week after an extraordinary 18-year battle with cancer. Dan got to know Bryan during his years as the Carolla show’s resident booze expert, and remembers a genuinely good man who will be deeply missed.

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To celebrate Mexican Independence Day, Dan takes the show on the road—or at least down the street—for a special live episode recorded in front of an audience on the rooftop of Casa de Ocho, Tequila Ocho’s pop-up in the heart of Venice Beach. Joining Dan is his old friend Zane Lamprey, comedian, author, world traveler, and legendary host of the seminal drinking shows Three Sheets and Drinking Made Easy, along with Philip Khandehrish, longtime tequila expert and Brand Ambassador for Tequila Ocho and Heaven Hill Brands.

Philip gives Dan and Zane the full Ocho education, from the late, great Tomás Estes and master distiller Carlos Camarena to single-estate agave, vintage harvests, terroir, and what makes Ocho one of the most distinctive tequilas on the planet. Along the way, Dan and Zane look back at the early days of covering drinking culture, how wildly the booze business has changed since then, and share probably far more information about themselves than anyone in attendance actually asked for. Tequila was involved. These things happen.

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Dan has been away on a much-needed vacation, so this week we’re reaching into the vault for an encore presentation of one of our most-listened-to episodes of 2024. 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 Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, not to mention the man behind Caduceus Cellars, Merkin Vineyards and Queen B Vinyl Cafe, his Arizona coffee-roasting venture.

Dan also serves up hot takes on two of his go-to java brands, La Colombe and Free Rein. Along the way, there’s a story about Bruce Springsteen, a heartfelt tribute to a Van Halen cover band, and enough coffee talk to keep you wired until Dan returns with a brand-new episode.

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Whiskey legend Fred Minnick joins Dan and Brad Japhe to celebrate his upcoming induction into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame and, naturally, they mark the occasion by opening some very good bottles. The lineup includes Old Fitzgerald 7-Year Bottled in Bond, Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel, Jefferson’s Ocean and Founder’s Reserve 20 Year, Four Roses Single Barrel, and Booker’s Milkshake Batch.

Fred also discusses his powerful new book, Bottom Shelf: How a Forgotten Brand of Bourbon Saved One Man’s Life, which blends memoir with the fascinating history of Old Crow. It’s the story of Fred’s return from the Iraq War, his decades-long obsession with whiskey, and how taste, history, and one largely forgotten bourbon helped him find purpose and ultimately build one of the most influential careers in American whiskey.

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In this special stand-alone edition of History at Work and in the Making, Dan digs into the surprisingly rowdy origins of America’s end-of-summer holiday, Labor Day, from brutal 19th-century working conditions and the disputed father of Labor Day to the first parade in 1882, where thousands of workers celebrated afterward with lager kegs mounted “in every conceivable place.”

Plus: the Pullman Strike, Grover Cleveland’s suspiciously well-timed peace offering to organized labor, and how a holiday born from the fight for workers’ rights became synonymous with barbecues, cold beer, long weekends, and inexplicably cheap mattresses. Presented by Warbringer Mesquite Smoked Southwest Bourbon.

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Dan is going back to school. Sort of. Inspired by his childhood love of Sesame Street, he works his way through The ABCs of Drinking, assigning each letter of the alphabet a word from the wonderful world of adult beverages.

From Alcohol, Booze, and Cocktail to Glencairns, Hair of the Dog, Quaffing, and Zima, Dan blends drinking history and trivia with personal stories and the kind of questionable wisdom you won’t find in any textbook. Along the way, he explains how a thesaurus helped launch his career, defends one of Tom Cruise’s most critically reviled movies, considers how moonshine went from outlaw whiskey to something you can buy with rewards points, and wonders why humanity has invented so many damn words for drinking.

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Dan’s supposed to be on vacation. Supposed to be. But apparently staying away from a microphone is harder than it looks.

In this short-and-slightly-unhinged episode, he suffers a bout of cranial leakage, ranting about the scourge of party invite apps before taking a strange stroll down memory lane and wondering whether it might be time to resurrect Revenge Fantasies, the very short-lived podcast he once co-hosted devoted to, well, fantasizing about revenge.

It’s quick. It’s loose. It’s what happens when Dan goes on vacation and fails miserably at actually going on vacation.

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Dan is on vacation this week, presumably somewhere making a bartender regret asking, “What can I get you?” So we’re dipping into the archives for a Best of edition of 3-Minute Bartender, featuring one of the world’s most provocatively named cocktails: the Pornstar Martini.

Dan traces the drink back to legendary London bartender Douglas Ankrah, explains how the Maverick Martini got its much more memorable name, and shows you how to make the modern classic with vanilla vodka, passion fruit liqueur, passion fruit purée, vanilla sugar, and the all-important sidecar of Champagne. Plus, variations including the Pornstar Royale, Spicy Pornstar, Pornstar Spritz, and Darkstar Martini. And, because apparently the cocktail’s name wasn’t enough, a couple of deeply regrettable adult-film jokes to finish things off.

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This week we welcome one of the most influential figures in the rum world: Ian Burrell, founder of UK RumFest, the world's first international rum festival, and the man known throughout the spirits industry as the Global Rum Ambassador. For nearly two decades, Ian has been on a mission to elevate rum's reputation, introducing millions of people to the depth, diversity, and history of one of the world's most misunderstood spirits.

Most recently, Ian teamed up with master blender Cairbry Hill and The Rolling Stones to co-create Crossfire Hurricane Rum, a premium Jamaican rum inspired by the band's deep connection to Jamaica and the island's legendary rum-making tradition. We talk about the fascinating story behind the collaboration, Jamaica's enormous influence on music and rum, where the category is headed, and, of course, we taste some exceptional juice along the way.

Plus, in this week's Booze News, we raise a glass to an 82-year-old Minnesota woman who refused to accept a ban on alcohol at her retirement community... and won. If there's a more inspiring story about aging gracefully (with a cocktail in hand), we haven't heard it.

So pour yourself something rum-licious and join us for another spirited conversation on What We're Drinking with Dan Dunn.

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This week Dan welcomes acclaimed screenwriter and novelist Cliff Dorfman, whose riveting new crime novel, Crime Family, is already turning heads. Cliff shares behind-the-scenes stories from his time writing on Entourage, co-writing the acclaimed film Warrior, and making the leap from Hollywood to the world of crime fiction. Along the way, the conversation dives into storytelling, organized crime, the realities of the entertainment business, and the creative process, all while sipping tropical frozen cocktails made with Malibu Rum, bananas, strawberries, and orange juice.

Also on this episode, Dan serves up another installment of "History at Work and in the Making," presented by Warbringer Bourbon. This time, he explores the fascinating history of Bottled in Bond—why the designation was created, what standards a whiskey must meet to earn it, and how the Bottled-in-Bond Act forever changed the American whiskey industry.

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National Tequila Day calls for something special, and this year we're celebrating with one of the category's most knowledgeable ambassadors. Joining Dan is Jaime Salas, Head of Legacy & Advocacy for Proximo Spirits' agave portfolio in the U.S., for a deep dive into all things tequila, from the traditions and craftsmanship behind Mexico's most iconic spirit to the innovations shaping its future.

The conversation shines a spotlight on the latest release from Maestro Dobel, a brand long known for pushing the boundaries of tequila while honoring centuries of tequila-making tradition. Whether you're a seasoned agave aficionado or just looking for an excuse to pour yourself a margarita, this episode is packed with stories, insights, tasting notes, and plenty of reasons to raise a glass. Salud!

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It started as a birthday celebration. It turned into the biggest episode in What We're Drinking history.

For Dan Dunn's Birthday Boozapalooza—and the landmark 350th episode—Dan is joined by WWD's Official Roving Correspondent, Brad Japhe, along with an all-star lineup of friends from some of the most respected names in the spirits world. Dropping by to raise a glass are Joe Beatrice (Barrell Craft Spirits), Jennifer Lane Oakley (Del Maguey Mezcal), Alexandre and Debbie Gabriel (Maison Ferrand), Haley Traub (Absolut Vodka), Jasmin Goldstein (Martell Cognac), Lillie Pierson (Michter's), and Guillermo Sauza (Fortaleza Tequila).

Together, they toast Dan's birthday, celebrate 350 episodes of What We're Drinking, swap stories, share laughs, talk about what's new with their brands, and reflect on the friendships that have grown alongside the show over the past seven years. It's a star-studded, booze-filled celebration unlike anything we've ever done, and a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who's helped make What We're Drinking what it is today.

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On this tropical edition of What We're Drinking with Dan Dunn, we're raising a frosty glass to one of the most beloved and misunderstood cocktails of all time: the mighty piña colada.

Joining Dan for the festivities is Haley Traub, National Mixologist for Pernod Ricard and one of the most respected bartenders in America, whose résumé includes legendary New York cocktail institutions Attaboy and Dutch Kills. Together, they dive into the history of Puerto Rico's national drink, debate its origin story, and explore why the piña colada has endured for more than seven decades while countless cocktail trends have come and gone.

Along the way, Dan offers an impassioned defense of Rupert Holmes' immortal Escape (The Piña Colada Song), arguing that it belongs in the pantheon of great songwriting, despite its decidedly questionable moral framework. There's also a spirited round of "Piña Colada Song Lyric or Line from a Bad Romance Novel," because frankly, the line between the two is thinner than you'd think.

Haley shares her expert take on what separates a good piña colada from a great one, whether the drink has finally shed its unfair reputation as a "guilty pleasure," why tropical cocktails thrive during stressful times, and what today's drinking trends reveal about our collective desire for escapism. They also discuss the evolution of Malibu, the resurgence of frozen cocktails, the future of rum, and the cocktail trends Haley wishes she'd never see again.

Whether you prefer your piña colada blended, shaken, or served with a side of infidelity, this episode is your perfect summertime escape.

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Summer is officially in session, which means it's time for the 43rd Annual What We're Drinking with Dan Dunn Summer Wine Special. Dan is joined by the podcast's Official Roving Correspondent, Brad Japhe, for a spirited, and occasionally absurd, deep dive into what actually makes a great summer wine. Spoiler alert: it's not just rosé and Sauvignon Blanc.

This year's lineup features four exceptional bottles that prove summer wine is more about attitude than color. Dan and Brad explore the beautifully balanced 2023 Alma Rosa Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay, including the remarkable journey of winemaker Samra Morris from wartime Bosnia to California's Central Coast. They also spotlight the winery's inspiring commitment to mental health advocacy.

Next up is the delightfully unconventional 2025 Bouchaine Alsatian Blend, a masterclass in the art of blending aromatic white varieties, followed by the stunning 2024 Auteur Campbell Ranch Pinot Noir, a cool-climate Pinot that makes a compelling case for lightly chilled reds in the summertime. And finally, the majestic 2023 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon.

Along the way, Dan and Brad discuss why acidity matters, why bubbles improve nearly every situation, why "room temperature" red wine service is one of America's great beverage misconceptions, and why the best summer wine is ultimately the bottle that's empty before anyone remembers to ask what it was. Expect wine education, tasting notes, history, a few political asides, and the kind of adjective-heavy banter that only two professional drinkers can deliver. Pour yourself something cold and join us for our annual celebration of sensational summer wines.

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In this cinematic celebration of booze-soaked movie magic, Dan raises a glass to some of the greatest drinking scenes ever captured on film. From iconic barroom moments and legendary party sequences to unexpected liquid-fueled masterpieces, he explores how alcohol has helped create some of cinema's most memorable scenes, whether they're hilarious, heartfelt, chaotic, or downright absurd. Along the way, he revisits classics like Animal House and Jaws, marvels at the infectious drinking-and-dancing spectacle of The Greatest Showman, and reflects on why certain on-screen toasts have become permanently embedded in pop culture. Grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a spirited trip through Hollywood history.

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