I’m Noah Rothbaum, Chief Correspondent of the Daily Beast, and This Is How I Work.
Noah Rothbaum is the right person to talk to when you need a drink. He is the founding editor of Liquor.com, has written books on the alcohol business, and leads the new food and drink vertical at The Daily Beast as Chief Cocktail Correspondent.
His first book , The Liquor Business, explored how the distillery industry works and how entrepreneurs and large corporations have changed the way small distilleries deliver their products to your store shelves. Then, in The Art of American Whiskey, Rothbaum looked at the bottles themselves – how the whiskey is packaged and labeled, from the apocryphal XXX jug to the “medicinal” spirits during the ban and nostalgic aesthetics that seem almost inherent in whiskey.
He now works for The Daily Beast to investigate the ongoing evolution of cocktail and food culture. We spoke to Rothbaum to find out a little about how he works and what he drinks.
Location: New York, NY. Current appearance: The Daily Beast’s chief cocktail correspondent. One word that best describes how you work: methodical. Modern mobile device: the old iPhone. I have a new one in a box on the shelf. I just need to take the time to back up my current model and go to the store to transfer my account. Current computer: I have a MacBook Pro at work and a MacBook Air at home.
What apps, software or tools can’t you live without?
Besides the usual software (Word, Safari, etc.), I enjoy using the Look Inside feature on Amazon. Often times, even if I have a paper copy of a book I’m interested in, searching on Amazon is the best way to find the section, recipe, or quote I’m looking for.
How is your workplace arranged? Coffee shop with laptop and headphones? Home office with a standing desk?
Daily Beast headquarters desk with large monitor, external keyboard and mouse. I have a bookcase with doors and a lock that I use as a liquor cabinet to keep all my samples. If I need inspiration, my desk overlooks the Hudson River and New Jersey. If I turn around, I can see the Statue of Liberty on a clear day. Helps to put things in perspective.
What’s your best time-saving shortcut or life hack?
While it sounds odd, I almost compulsively make lists in my phone’s notebook. I also love to write stories or presentations about it, especially if I ride the subway. I find it easier to write like this than at my desk with all the typical office distractions.
What’s your favorite to-do list manager?
As I mentioned above, I love using the notepad feature on my phone to make lists, but I also use good old Post-it notes. There are several things in life that are more enjoyable than crossing things off your to-do list, turning a sticker into a ball, and throwing it in the bin.
Besides your phone and computer, what device or tool can’t you live without and why?
My Chef’n FreshForce hand juicer produces more lime or lemon juice than any other hand juicer I have ever found. Also, I love the Towolo silicone ice trays, which make big giant cubes. And the Cocktail Kingdom’s Yarai mixing glass and the bronze- colored Hoffman bar spoon make me feel like the best bartender in the world.
What do you want to drink at the end of the day? Top shelf stuff or something simple?
Ha! This can be a very rare single malt whiskey, a glass of local sparkling wine, or small batches of bourbon. It often depends on what I wrote about that day.
Are you more of a craft brewer or a lover of cheap beer?
While I appreciate hoppy or bitter beers, on a warm summer day, all I need is something refreshing. This includes everything from Sorachi Ace from Brooklyn Brewery to Italian Peroni and Doc’s Draft strong apple cider .
Out of curiosity, could writing about food and drink ever be able to enjoy cooking outside of work?
If I had, say, tasted whiskey for storytelling all day, I’d rather have cocktails, wine, or beer tonight. But to be honest, it can sometimes be difficult to chill out with a drink at night when I’ve been thinking and writing about booze all day.
What are some of your best everyday activities?
My head is like a steel trap: I remember everything.
What do you listen to while you work? Have a favorite playlist? Maybe we can talk on the radio? Or do you prefer silence?
Most of the days I broadcast The Current (89.3) Minneapolis radio station. It’s a truly eclectic mix of old and new, indie and mainstream. Sometimes I stream WWOZ from New Orleans.
What are you reading now? A novel, a comic strip, a website, a magazine?
I try to read every New Yorker from cover to cover. Some weeks I am more successful than others. I am also reading the new edition of A Box of Shadows by George Plympton, Another Piece of My Heart by Richard Goldstein, and The Irresistible by Emily Bingham. I always like to read at least two different books.
How do you replenish?
Constant running and occasional short trips.
What is your sleep routine? Are you a night owl or get up early?
By nature, I worked until 2-3 am and then slept until 9:30 or 10. Alas, my little son and my office have a different schedule. I usually sleep by 11:30 pm, although as you know, sometimes I fall asleep on the couch in front of the TV and stumble around 1:30. Typically, I try to flip through a few pages of a New Yorker book or article before leaving. Although we have a fancy Tivoli radio / alarm clock , we usually use the alarm function on my wife’s phone.
Fill in the blank: I would like _________ to answer these same questions.
Hunter S. Thompson
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received ?
Measure Twice, Cut Once – Norm Abram, This Old House .