Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Simon is a writer, publisher and business entrepreneur. He is the founder of Diffordsguide.com, Class Magazine and Diffords Guide to Cocktails book Series which is now in its 18th Edition. In respect of the promotion and education of cocktail culture here in the UK, there are few who can match Simon’s influence over the past 30 years.
This Episode is Sponsored by Algebra Coffee Liqueur - algebradrinks.com - get 15% off with discount code CURIOUS15 at checkout
00:00 Simon’s Origin Story: Frozen Fish, Little Tipple Miniatures, Off Licenses, Coe Vintners
12:30 Class Magazine (1997) - Theme Magazine, Writing vs. Journalism, Ambition
18:00 Cocktail Culture in UK vs US - Pubs
21:20 Class Magazine Continued - Consumer vs. Trade, Dotcom Boom & Bust
28:00 The Sauce Guide Bookazines - Photographing Cocktails in Pre-Digital Age, Sauce Guide to Drink & Drinking
38:10 Becoming Difford’s Guide - Evolution of the Guide after 18 Editions, Photography Protocols for Shooting 3,500 drinks
48:50 The Market for Cocktail Books in 2025
51:00 Researching Cocktail History
52:50 The Cocktails That Have Remained Unchanged, Daiquiri Bitters
55:40 Future of Print Magazines
56:30 Reflecting on Simon’s Career, Easy Jigger, Veg White
1:03:10 Current Trends in Bars & Cocktails: Classic Cocktails, Sensation Bars
1:10: Most Influential Bars, Brands & Bartenders of the Past 30 Years: Dick Bradsell, Danny Smith, Che, Absolut Vodka
📷 Follow me on Instagram - instagram.com/tristanstephenson
📚 I've written quite a few books on spirits and cocktails - thecuriousbartender.com
Simon is a writer, publisher and business entrepreneur. He is the founder of Diffordsguide.com, Class Magazine and Diffords Guide to Cocktails book Series which is now in its 18th Edition. In respect of the promotion and education of cocktail culture here in the UK, there are few who can match Simon’s influence over the past 30 years.
This Episode is Sponsored by Algebra Coffee Liqueur - algebradrinks.com - get 15% off with discount code CURIOUS15 at checkout
00:00 Simon’s Origin Story: Frozen Fish, Little Tipple Miniatures, Off Licenses, Coe Vintners
12:30 Class Magazine (1997) - Theme Magazine, Writing vs. Journalism, Ambition
18:00 Cocktail Culture in UK vs US - Pubs
21:20 Class Magazine Continued - Consumer vs. Trade, Dotcom Boom & Bust
28:00 The Sauce Guide Bookazines - Photographing Cocktails in Pre-Digital Age, Sauce Guide to Drink & Drinking
38:10 Becoming Difford’s Guide - Evolution of the Guide after 18 Editions, Photography Protocols for Shooting 3,500 drinks
48:50 The Market for Cocktail Books in 2025
51:00 Researching Cocktail History
52:50 The Cocktails That Have Remained Unchanged, Daiquiri Bitters
55:40 Future of Print Magazines
56:30 Reflecting on Simon’s Career, Easy Jigger, Veg White
1:03:10 Current Trends in Bars & Cocktails: Classic Cocktails, Sensation Bars
1:10: Most Influential Bars, Brands & Bartenders of the Past 30 Years: Dick Bradsell, Danny Smith, Che, Absolut Vodka
📷 Follow me on Instagram - instagram.com/tristanstephenson
📚 I've written quite a few books on spirits and cocktails - thecuriousbartender.com
