No. 31

Robert Simonson Gets in The Mix

The Banter

The Guys discuss the pros and cons of “Best of” lists and how they would rank some colorful local watering holes.

The Conversation

The Restaurant Guys welcome acclaimed writer Robert Simonson, a cocktail enthusiast and expert. They devise a dream team of restaurant reviewers, bond over a love of hot dogs and discuss an exclusive gin that might be worth its price.

Want something to sip while you listen to this week's episode?

See below for The Guys’ newest mashup cocktail:

The Presidential Stormy Porn Star Martini

A mash up of three cocktails

★ El Presidente (Rum, Curacao)

★ Dark and Stormy (Black Seal Rum, Ginger)

★ Pornstar Martini (Passion Fruit, Vanilla Vodka)

Ingredients

1 oz Goslings Black Seal Bermuda Rum

.75 oz Chinoa Passion Fruit Liqueur

.75 oz Pierre Ferrand Orange Curacao

.5 oz Stolichnaya Vanilla Vodka

.25 oz Poire Williams (Purkhart)

.5 oz Ginger Syrup (same as for Penicillin - see sub recipe below)

Combine all above ingredients in mixing glass.

Stir over ice until completely chilled. Strain into coup.

Dash Regan's Orange Bitters

Dash DeGroff Bitters (Sub Angostura Bitters if necessary)

Garnish:

Flag of Candied Ginger and Cherry

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THIS EPISODE IS

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ROBERT SIMONSON

Robert Simonson writes about cocktails, spirits, bars, and bartenders for the New York Times and is the creator and author of the Substack newsletter The Mix With Robert Simonson.

His books include The Old-Fashioned (2014), the first single-drink cocktail book of its kind; A Proper Drink (2016), the first (and so far only) history of the modern cocktail revival; 3-Ingredient Cocktails (2017), which was nominated for a 2018 James Beard Award; The Martini Cocktail (2019), which was nominated for a 2020 James Beard Award and IACP Award and won that year's Spirited Award for best new cocktail book; and Mezcal and Tequila Cocktails (2021), which was nominated for an IACP Award. He was also a primary contributor to The Essential New York Times Book of Cocktails (both the 2015 and 2022 editions).

Simonson won the 2019 Spirited Award for Best Cocktail and Spirits Writer, and his work, which has also appeared in Vinepair, Punch, Imbibe, Saveur, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, New York magazine, and Lucky Peach. He is the co-author, with Martin Doudoroff, of two cocktail apps, Modern Classics of the Cocktail Renaissance and The Martini Cocktail.

THE INSIDE TRACK

The Guys have known Robert for a long time and have hosted a couple of book signings to share Robert’s knowledge and expertise with others. After much research, Robert has deemed The Guys’ restaurant Stage Left Steak the oldest continuously running craft cocktail bar.

“Cocktails come with an attached culture and I don't think I would have spent so many years writing about cocktails if that culture wasn't so fascinating...”

Robert Simonson on The Restaurant Guys Podcast 2024

Ted Lange: Your Love Boat Bartender

The Restaurant Guys interview beloved television bartender Ted Lange who played Isaac on The Love Boat. He discusses his ground-breaking character and the impact it had on television.

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