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

Jim Hewes Serves Mint Juleps to D.C.’s Political Elite

Having worked the iconic Round Robin Bar for six administrations, the longtime barman knows when to step back and listen.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Eric Medsker

Cocktails

Bar Review: A Sports Bar for the One Percent

Mordecai, located across from one of baseball’s most famous parks, has assembled one of the country’s most ambitious collections of rare spirits. But who is it for, exactly?

story: Robert Simonson
photos: Lyndon French

Cocktails

In Search of the Ultimate Margarita

We asked 15 of America's best bartenders to submit their finest recipe for the Margarita—then blind-tasted them all to find the best of the best.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

Dave Arnold and Don Lee Haven’t Run Out of Tricks

Two of the cocktail world’s most progressive thinkers have joined forces to open New York’s most anticipated bar in years.

story: Robert Simonson
photos: Eric Medsker

Beer

Meet Schlabst, Milwaukee’s Black and Tan

This half-and-half combination of Schlitz and Pabst has been celebrated with T-shirts, anniversary parties and even its own Twitter account.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Pabst Brewing Co.

Cocktails

What Happened to the Bar Tab?

Why “Put it on my tab,” once a bond between bar and loyal customer, has gone extinct.

story: Robert Simonson
illustration: Nick Hensley Wagner

Cocktails

Paddy Ford Wants to Get to Know You

If Smith & Wollensky’s longtime barman doesn’t know your name, “you came from someplace else.”

story: Robert Simonson
photos: Eric Medsker

Cocktails

In Search of the Ultimate Mint Julep

We asked 15 of America's best bartenders to submit their finest recipe for the Mint Julep—then blind-tasted them all to find the best of the best.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

Why Can’t Hollywood Get Drinking Right?

When it comes to its portrayal of drinks and drinking culture, Hollywood is woefully out of touch.

story: Robert Simonson
illustration: Nick Hensley Wagner

Cocktails

Bar Review: The Trouble With the “Hyper-Local” Cocktail

A Rake’s Bar dedicates itself wholly to regional ingredients, forgoing the likes of simple syrup and citrus. But are the drinks any good?

story: Robert Simonson
photos: Reema Desai