A spirited chat with cocktail writer Robert Simonson

Best known for his work for the “New York Times,” Wisconsin native and cocktail writer Robert Simonson has established himself among the nation’s best beverage writers. In addition to his work for numerous prominent publications, he is also the author of four books: “The Martini Cocktail” (2019), the 2018 James Beard Foundation nominee “3-Ingredient Cocktails” (2017), “A Proper Drink” (2016) and “The Old-Fashioned” (2014). 

On this week’s podcast, we chat with Simonson about a host of topics from his experience growing up in Wisconsin and his career as a theater critic to his transition to writing about cocktails, spirits, bars and bartenders. Along the way, Simonson shares stories about his career, insights about cocktails (including both martinis and Wisconsin old fashioneds) and his thoughts on trends in the beverage world. During the podcast, we also convince Simonson to take his very first taste of White Claw and offer his expert opinion on the wildly popular beverage.