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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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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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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Dan kicks things off with a caffeinated love letter to coffee, and specifically to the exceptional blends coming out of Queen Bee Vinyl Café, the coffee company run by his friend Maynard James Keenan. Dan explains why Maynard's coffee venture is much more than a celebrity side hustle and shares a few of his favorite roasts.

Then it's time for another installment of History At Work and In The Making. This month's chapter, Stars Behind Bars, shines a spotlight on famous actors, musicians, comedians, and other celebrities who spent time tending bar before they hit the big time.

Later, Dan sits down with Daniel Djang, co-founder of Art Beyond the Glass, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit that brings together the hospitality and creative communities to raise money for charitable causes. They discuss this year's upcoming event, the surprising overlap between bartenders and artists, and why so many creative people find a home behind the bar.

And because no episode featuring Art Beyond the Glass would be complete without a little art, Dan closes the show by reciting one of the most beloved drinking poems ever written: Drinking Alone by Moonlight by the legendary 8th-century Chinese poet Li Bai.

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