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

Drink a Harvey Wallbanger to Help Houston

Houston bartender Bobby Heugel is looking to use this oft-maligned classic to raise money for victims of Hurricane Harvey.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Julie Soefer

Cocktails

Bar Review: An Iconic New Orleans Bartender Returns to His Post

In "Bar Review," Robert Simonson considers Paul Gustings' return to the historic Tujague's—and what it means to be a great bartender.

story: Robert Simonson
photos: Randy P. Schmidt

Beer

A Drinking Tour of Coney Island

Despite efforts to redevelop the iconic boardwalk, Coney Island remains a bastion of simple, unpretentious drinking.

story: Robert Simonson
photos: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

Can the Martini-on-the-Rocks Make a Comeback?

In the years following World War II, ordering a Martini or Manhattan on the rocks was a standard affair. For some drinkers, it still is.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Daniel Krieger

Cocktails

Bar Review: Bobby Heugel’s Houston Empire Expands

Tongue-Cut Sparrow and Better Luck Tomorrow may be Bobby Heugel’s most important bars since Anvil.

story: Robert Simonson
photos: Kirsten Gilliam

Cocktails

Bar Review: Can the New Chumley’s Live Up to Its Iconic Past?

In Robert Simonson's "Bar Review," he offers a look at some of today’s most notable new venues. Here, he considers Chumley's, a historic speakeasy turned elite—and expensive—restaurant.

story: Robert Simonson
photos: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

How a Motley Crew of Bartenders Transformed Chicago’s Drink Scene

With an opening team of mostly amateur bartenders, The Violet Hour defied odds to reshape Chicago’s drinking scene.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Eden Laurin

Cocktails

Bar Review: The Reimagining of New York’s Four Seasons Bar

In Robert Simonson's "Bar Review," he offers a look at some of today’s most notable new venues. Here, he considers The Bar, the Major Food Group's renovation of the iconic…

story: Robert Simonson
photos: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

In Search of the Ultimate Daiquiri

We asked 20 of today's top bartenders to submit their finest recipe for the Daiquiri—then blind-tasted them all to find the best of the best.

story: Robert Simonson
photos: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

Does a Bar Have to Go Global to Stay Relevant?

The pop-up cocktail bar has gone from occasional incident to top-tier requisite. Robert Simonson on the roots of this trend—and why it shows no sign of slowing.

story: Robert Simonson
photo: Simone Galucci