A narrative history of the craft cocktail renaissance, written by a New York Times cocktail writer and one of the foremost experts on the subject.
ROBERT SIMONSON is a cocktail and drinks writer for the New York Times, a six-timeTales of the Cocktail Spirited Award nominee, and the author of The Old-Fashioned. One of the leading authorities on spirits and cocktail culture in the United States, he also writes for Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Imbibe, Edible Manhattan, Edible Brooklyn, Saveur, Eater, PUNCH, and more.
“A smart, engaging, and fine chronicle of how far we’ve come as a
drinking nation. Best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand.”
—Christopher Buckley, author of Thank You for Smoking and Wry
Martinis
“This spirited study of the craft cocktail renaissance sheds light
on a determined culture that is every bit as colorful—and at least
as intoxicating—as that of food and wine. Cheers to Robert Simonson
for this riveting and thirst-inspiring accomplishment.”
—Danny Meyer, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group and founder of
Shake Shack
“A candid and entertaining look at the tastemakers, bars, and
spirits that have made your drinks so damn good over the last
twenty years. Robert Simonson is a brilliant writer and an intrepid
reporter, with a quick wit and a gift for language. This book is a
fascinating chronicle of failed business deals, unlikely successes,
and dedication to craft that has changed how America drinks—for the
better.”
—Amy Stewart, author of The Drunken Botanist
"[A] brilliant new book […] anyone, anywhere calling themselves a
bartender should feel duty-bound to read."
—Alexander Barlow, DRiNK Magazine
“Over the last dozen years, much of the action in American culinary
arts has transpired behind the bar. Robert Simonson captures this
extended historical moment, when we moved toward a more thoughtful
approach to drinking and, by extension, living.”
–Brett Anderson, restaurant critic for the Times-Picayune
“If you want to understand why you’re drinking a cocktail called
‘Are You
Figsperienced?’ and not, say, yet another Fuzzy Navel, Robert
Simonson’s wide-
ranging, deftly characterized A Proper Drink is an essential place
to start.”
—David Wondrich, author of Imbibe! and Punch
“Simonson does an admirable job of getting his arms around an
ever-morphing subject, showing how a single bar or bartender can
have a butterfly effect in an industry that’s constantly evolving.
No matter which side of the bar readers are on, they’re sure to
work up a powerful thirst.”
—Publishers Weekly
"From prominent drinks writer Robert Simonson comes an answer to
the question all cocktail lovers have asked themselves: How did we
end up with a craft cocktail revival, anyway? Simonson dives head
first into this question and interviews over 200 movers, shakers
(forgive me), and doers in the 25-year march to better cocktails.
While this book leans more toward cultural history than a barman's
how-to, Simonson does offer a list of 40 cocktails that epitomize
the craft movement as we now know it."
—Hillary Dixler, Eater
"Simonson adds to his already impressive collection of books (and
an app) with this explainer of the current booming craft cocktail
scene, which starts with T.G.I. Friday’s and ends with current hubs
like Pegu Club and Smuggler’s Cove."
—Abby Reisner, Tasting Table
"[...] what sets the season apart is the number of new books that
already feel iconic—from Robert Simonson’s expertly reported
narrative history of the cocktail renaissance, A Proper Drink
[...] Perhaps the best narrative book on cocktails and their
attendant culture since William Grimes’ forward-looking 1993
book, Straight Up or On the Rocks, this is firstly, drinks
aside, simply a great story—an exhaustively researched tale of how
we got from sour mix to the neo-speakeasy, all propped up by
Simonson’s obvious narrative gifts."
—PUNCH
"With insight and often unflinching candor, Simonson weaves a
boozy tale of the revived cultural phenomenon. And should you find
yourself thirsty along the way, a few dozen recipes are included
for good measure."
—Penelope Bass, Imbibe
"... for an excellent, extensively detailed explanation
[of 'the explosion of well-stirred booze in the modern
American bar'], I highly recommend Robert Simonson's book, A Proper
Drink."
—Kevin Alexander, Thrillist
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