Robert Simonson

Contributing Editor

Robert Simonson writes about cocktails, spirits and bars for the New York Times. He is the author of The Old-Fashioned: The Story of the World's First Classic Cocktail (2014), A Proper Drink (2016) and 3-Ingredient Cocktails: An Opinionated Guide to the Most Enduring Drinks in the Cocktail Canon (2017).

Places

The World’s Most Iconic Bars

From the cradle of the Daiquiri to a New Orleans stalwart, these are the 10 historic bars that still inspire modern drink culture.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Caleb Krivoshey

Cocktails

In Search of the Ultimate Cosmo

We asked 10 of America's best bartenders to submit their finest recipe for the Cosmopolitan—and then blind-tasted them all to find the best of the best.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

Is It Time to Ditch the Sugar Rim?

Key to a number of historic cocktails, the garnish’s place in the modern bar is up for debate.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Kelly Puleio

Places

Pool Bar Jim Is Always on Vacation

The Hilton Head bartender has been serving “the best frozen drink you’re ever going to get” for 22 years.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Beau Kester

Places

Life After (Near) Death

Rarely do bars on the brink of death get a second chance. What happens when the outpouring of grief changes their fate?

story: Robert Simonson
illustration: Joe Gough

Places

There Is Only One True Jim Gallagher

The Irish-born bartender of Molly’s Shebeen on how to cultivate regulars, pouring 12 barrels of Guinness a week and not becoming a bartender.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Eric Medsker

Cocktails

In Search of the Ultimate Grasshopper

We asked 10 of America's best bartenders to submit their finest recipe for the Grasshopper—and then blind-tasted them all to find the best of the best.