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

Bar Review: A Tiki Master Goes for Broke

Brian Miller and Major Food Group’s king-size tiki bar, The Polynesian, aims to be the best in the world.

story: Robert Simonson
photos: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

In Search of the Ultimate Gimlet

We asked 14 of America's best bartenders to submit their finest recipe for the Gimlet—and then blind-tasted them all to find the best of the best.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

Gin Gets the Rosé Treatment

The public’s unquenchable thirst for rosé has given rise to a new kind of pink gin.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

Jeannie Talierco’s Been Serving “Loonies” for Decades

The Hank’s Saloon bartender has been there since before it was called Hank’s.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Eric Medsker

Cocktails

In Search of the Ultimate Gin and Tonic

We asked 15 of America's best bartenders to submit their finest recipe for the G&T—and then blind-tasted them all to find the best of the best.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Lizzie Munro

Places

How Bar Dice Became a Wisconsin Institution

In the Badger State, a lucky roll can still win you a free, ice-cold PBR.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Anya Kopischke

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