David Wondrich on the Past, Present & Future of the Cocktail *V*

The Restaurant Guys podcast features a conversation with David Wondrich, a cocktail historian and expert, about the evolution and state of cocktails. Wondrich emphasizes the importance of historical context in understanding and appreciating cocktails, noting a decline in quality due to shortcuts and the loss of tradition after Prohibition. The discussion explores the shift from classic cocktails to fruit juice-flavored vodkas, with Wondrich advocating for spirit-forward drinks. The conversation touches on the proper size and garnishes for cocktails, with the guest emphasizing that garnishes should be integral to the drink's flavor. Wondrich also shares the history of the Margarita, tracing its origins to 19th-century "daisy" cocktails.