What We're Drinking with Dan Dunn

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301. Cocktails of the Summer 2025 Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

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 smooth elegance of Suntory Whisky Toki, the rich American classic Michter’s US*1 Bourbon, the magic of Don Fulano Tequila, the crisp surprise of Fonseca Siroco White Port, the zesty botanicals of Condesa Prickly Pear & Orange Blossom Gin, and the agave powerhouse Tequila Fortaleza.

Expect big flavors, big opinions, and more than a few laughs as Dan and Brad wax poetic about what makes each of these spirits a front-runner for cocktail dominance this summer. Cocktails of the Summer 2025 is your go-to guide for drinking well when it’s hot as hell.

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300. Our 300th Episode Especiale! May 27, 2025

Show notes

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 appearances are actor Colin Donnell, who proves that leading men can also lead great toasts, and Dan’s brother Sean, who’s been around since before episode one—so technically, he’s an OG cast member.

Dan takes a walk (or maybe a slightly wobbly stagger) down memory lane, revisiting some of the show’s most memorable moments from the past six years. There’s laughter, there’s reflection, there’s gratitude—lots of it—as Dan raises a glass to the listeners who’ve made this all possible.

Here’s to 300 episodes of stories, spirits, and spirited storytelling… and to at least 300 more. Cheers!

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299. Charles Joly is Seeing Stars May 20, 2025

Show notes

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 first premium ready-to-drink brands to prove that convenience and quality can happily co-exist in a bottle. Dan and Charles dive into the evolution of the modern cocktail renaissance, the delicate art of making drinks under pressure (while paparazzi lurk nearby), and where the adult beverage world is headed next.

Plus, Dan serves up a scorching take on the latest "green" gimmick to hit your feed: the Matcha Martini. Spoiler alert—he’s not a fan. Cheers to great drinks, great stories, and great company.

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298. Matthew Lillard Returns! May 13, 2025

Show notes

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 talk shop, swap stories, and sip the good stuff. If you liked him the first time (and how could you not?), you’re going to love him all over again. Lillard’s got charisma, range, and... whiskey. Cheers to that.

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297. Star Trek-themed Stellum Whiskey May 06, 2025

Show notes

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 Rock and our longtime friends at Barrell Craft Spirits. These limited-edition beauties are housed in bottles modeled after the legendary (and formerly illegal) Romulan Ale—and yes, they’re every bit as intriguing as they sound.

And hey, if you want to try them yourself, Dan’s got a discount code for you (psst... it's ROMULAN), but you'll have to listen for the deets. Engage!

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296. Rich Peete & Wyatt Russell Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

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 also get into Wyatt’s starring role in Marvel’s highly anticipated Thunderbolts, and Rich’s latest producing project, the critically-acclaimed new film The Legend of Ochi. It's boats, beers, and behind-the-scenes madness... the kind of episode you’ll want to shotgun a Lake Hour to.

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3-Minute Bartender: Clarified New York Sour Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

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’ll talk about the origins of the drink (hint: despite the name, it likely didn’t come from New York) and why floating red wine on top somehow works like magic. If you’re into drinks that look good, taste better, and leave your friends wondering how the hell you pulled it off, this one’s for you.

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295. Spring Wine Wonderooski '25 Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

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. It’s a celebration of great wine, good memories, and all the exciting adventures ahead.

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294. Rodolphe Lameyse Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

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.

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293. Caroline Pardilla Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

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 Coffee Liqueur, a bold new entry into the espresso martini game, and Mezcal Mezul, a smooth, smoky gem that’s perfect for mezcal rookies and vets alike. Tune in, pour one up, and let’s get into it.

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