What We're Drinking with Dan Dunn

Latest Episodes:

The Rolling Stones Are Rockin' Rum EP|353 Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

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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"Crime Family" author Cliff Dorfman EP|352 Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

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 2026 EP|351 Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

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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Dan's Birthday Boozapalooza EP|350 Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

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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National Piña Colada Day Shindig Ep|348 Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

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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Sensational Summer Wines EP|347 Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

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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Greatest Movie Drinking Scenes EP|346 Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

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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3-Minute Bartender: Aperol Spritz Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

This week on 3-Minute Bartender, Dan raises a bright-orange toast to one of the world's most popular, and most polarizing, cocktails: the Aperol Spritz. Often dismissed as a frivolous poolside sipper, the Spritz actually boasts a history dating back more than a century, with roots stretching from Austrian soldiers in northern Italy to the sun-drenched piazzas of modern-day Venice.

Along the way, Dan shares the recipe, explores a few popular variations, and makes the case that sometimes a cocktail doesn't need to be high-proof, barrel-aged, smoked, or garnished with a small herb garden to be worth drinking. Whether you're a longtime fan or an unapologetic Spritz skeptic, this episode might just convince you to embrace your softer side.

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World Gin Day Celebration EP|345 Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

This week we raise a glass to World Gin Day with a guest who lives and breathes the category: Diana Gettinger, National Brand Ambassador for Cygnet Gin. Together, Dan and Diana dive into the current state of gin, exploring how the spirit has evolved from its London Dry roots into one of the most dynamic and innovative categories in the world of booze. Is the gin boom still booming? What trends are shaping the future? And why does gin remain the bartender's favorite spirit?

Naturally, the conversation also turns to Cygnet, the ultra-premium Welsh gin brand founded by internationally acclaimed singer Katherine Jenkins. Dan and Diana discuss what sets Cygnet apart in an increasingly crowded spirits landscape, the challenges and opportunities facing gin in 2026, and why Wales has quietly become one of the most exciting places in the spirits world. They also swap stories from behind the bar, debate the perfect gin and tonic, and offer a few suggestions for celebrating World Gin Day properly.

Whether you're a lifelong gin devotee, a curious cocktail enthusiast, or someone who still thinks gin tastes like a Christmas tree, this episode might just change your mind. Pour yourself a G&T, settle in, and join us for a spirited celebration of one of the world's great distillates.

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3-Minute Bartender: Kicka$$ Cab Sangria Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

This installment of 3-Minute Bartender takes on one of summer's most beloved wine cocktails: sangria. Dan traces the drink's origins back to Spain and Portugal, where mixing wine with fruit, spices, and other ingredients wasn't so much a culinary innovation as a survival strategy. Along the way, he offers a brief history lesson, explains how sangria exploded in popularity after the 1964 World's Fair in New York, and shares several strong opinions, including a spirited rant about white sangria and the kind of people who clap when airplanes land.

From there, Dan demonstrates how to make his preferred version of red sangria, built around Prescription Cabernet Sauvignon, brandy, Cointreau (or Grand Marnier), citrus juices, crème de cassis, fresh fruit, and a cinnamon stick. He explains why the wine matters, offers tips for adjusting sweetness and strength, suggests a more Spanish-inspired cava variation, and makes the case that properly boozy sangria fruit should never, under any circumstances, be discarded.

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