The cocktail renaissance according to the New York Times' Robert Simonson
This week:
- Feature interview with cocktail writer and author Robert Simonson
- Free Pour Five with Kansas City bartender Ryan Maybee
Robert Simonson writes about cocktails. A lot. Since first stumbling across Tales of the Cocktail in 2006, just as the cocktail renaissance was beginning to gather steam, he’s cemented himself as a senior drinks scribe for publications like the New York Times, Imbibe, Punch and Muck Rack. He’s also got three book titles about the industry to his name: The Old Fashioned, A Proper Drink and 3-Ingredient Cocktails, some of which chronicle the history of the drinks in question and some of which focus more on the recipes themselves. In September, he’ll be releasing a fourth book about fine libations: The Martini.
"Our man in the liquor-soaked trenches" - New York Times
And in our Free Pour segment, we head to Kansas City to speak to one of the most decorated bartenders and hospitality professionals you can find. Ryan Maybee owns cocktail haunt Manifesto, The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange and now a distillery, J. Rieger & Co.
Listen to the episode on the player above or a podcast app such as Apple Podcasts . Make sure to subscribe on your app so that every episode of Living Proof is delivered straight to your device!
You can follow Robert and Ryan on Instagram @robertosimonson, @roundtablerye. Ryan's also on Twitter @roundtablerye
Key points
04:00 From theatre writing to a spirits specialist
08:55 The cocktail revolution – “the last piece in the puzzle”
13:30 The Old-Fashioned
17:30 A Proper Drink
23:00 The Martini
26:50 The Sazerac
32:00 The Free Pour segment with Ryan Maybee
Resources, bars and products mentioned
PDT
The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange
Manifesto KC