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).

Cocktails

In Search of the Ultimate Boulevardier

We asked 11 of America's best bartenders to submit their finest recipe for the Boulevardier—and then blind-tasted them all to find the best of the best.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Lizzie Munro

Places

Milk & Honey, New Year’s Eve 1999

Twenty years after it changed cocktails forever, friends and former staff remember the bar’s exhilarating early days.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Georgette Moger

Cocktails

The Cocktail and Spirits Stories That Will Shape 2020

From bartender-branded liqueurs to New York’s newest rising drinks destination, the cocktail and spirits trends that will make a difference in 2020.

story: Robert Simonson
illustration: Rymie

Places

Tom Riley Is the Definition of Old School

The Donohue’s bartender has been mixing Martinis for New York City regulars, including Drew Barrymore and Gay Talese, for 49 years.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Eric Medsker

Cocktails

In Search of the Ultimate Rob Roy

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

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

The Top 10 Cocktails of 2019

Contributing editor Robert Simonson shares the best cocktails he drank this year.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

In Search of the Ultimate Bamboo

We asked 11 of America's best bartenders to submit their finest recipe for the Bamboo—and then blind-tasted them all to find the best of the best.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Daniel Krieger

Cocktails

At the “21” Club, Tara Wright Is in Charge

She’s the first woman to hold the position of bartender at the historic boy’s club, but that’s not the only thing she’s modernized.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Eric Medsker

Cocktails

Is the 50/50 Even a Martini?

By some accounts, the equal parts ratio is the original incarnation of the famously austere cocktail. By others, it’s not a Martini at all.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

In Search of the Ultimate Sidecar

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

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Lizzie Munro