In this thoughtful and wide-ranging episode, Shawn Soole sits down with acclaimed drinks writer and historian Robert Simonson, whose byline has graced The New York Times, Imbibe, Punch, and more. Together, they explore his deep dive into cocktail culture-unraveling the story behind the Old-Fashioned, charting the Martini’s evolution, and uncovering the history of the cocktail renaissance through his acclaimed books.
What You’ll Learn
• How Robert transitioned from theater writing to becoming a voice in cocktail history
• The story behind thriving, sometimes forgotten cocktails-like the Martini and Old-Fashioned-and why they endure
• A Proper Drink, his deeply sourced exploration of the cocktail revival
• Lessons from writing canonical references like 3‑Ingredient Cocktails and The Old‑Fashioned
• Live Q&A: writing in hospitality, documenting cocktail culture, and keeping the narrative alive for future generations
Timestamp Highlights
00 : 02 : 30 – Robert’s shift from theater to bars: a writer’s unexpected path into drinks
00 : 14 : 00 – Unearthing the Old-Fashioned: research, recipes, and historical relevance
00 : 28 : 00 – The Martini’s many faces: its evolution, myths, and modern rediscovery
00 : 42 : 00 – Diving into A Proper Drink: sourcing the truth behind the cocktail renaissance
00 : 58 : 00+ – Q\&A: writing tips, research rigor, and preserving drink culture through storytelling
Who It’s For
Bartenders, beverage directors, hospitality writers, and cocktail enthusiasts who believe great stories-especially ones stirred or shaken-matter just as much as the drinks themselves.
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