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Robert Simonson, author of seven cocktail books including "A Proper Drink: The Untold Story of How a Band of Bartenders Saved the Civilized Drinking World," joins to discuss how the modern cocktail revival actually happened.
This conversation explores how dead crafts come back to life through individuals rather than institutions, why certain innovations spread while others stay local, and the challenge of documenting history while participants are still alive. Simonson spent 18 months interviewing over 200 people across multiple continents to map how a small group of obsessives rebuilt an entire profession from scratch. The discussion reveals patterns about how quality movements emerge, scale, and risk being forgotten by the next generation.
Timestamps
Timestamps
- 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
- 00:26 Discussing 'A Proper Drink'
- 02:47 The Cocktail Renaissance
- 05:07 Global Influence and Cross-Pollination
- 12:23 Modern Classic Cocktails
- 23:22 Local Influences on Cocktails
- 32:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Chris Maffeo hosted this episode, brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS.
MAFFEO DRINKS is a leading drinks business podcast, listened to in 120 countries with 130+ episodes. How the industry actually works, from the bar to the boardroom.
Wanna know what the conversation above means for your team? It's in the paid section.
MAFFEO DRINKS is a leading drinks business podcast, listened to in 120 countries with 130+ episodes. How the industry actually works, from the bar to the boardroom.
Wanna know what the conversation above means for your team? It's in the paid section.
You get access to Maffeo Confidential (Private Podcast), this analysis, and the full catalog of 130+ episodes, each one translating industry conversation into the commercial decisions underneath it. Find out more at maffeodrinks.com or on Substack.
