Most of our readers mustl have come across the name Dave Wondrich over the last couple of months. His latest work Imbibe! has won him high accolade among the bar aficionados of this planet.

I've met Dave on a number of events this year. When I bumped into him again at the Bols Genever launch recently, I asked him to sign a copy of Imbibe! for "Mixology's smartest reader".

So whoever answers the question at the end of the interview correctly, will receive the signed copy. Please post your answers into the comment section. First come, first served!

David, please introduce yourself to our readers. What is your background and when did you first get in touch with "bar"?

I'm a former rock & roll musician and professor of English Literature who fell into a job writing about cocktails and their history for Esquire magazine. The more I studied the topic, the more I liked it. I'm particularly interested, even obsessed, with the history of bartending.

In 2005, I got together with American cocktail and spirits authorities Dale DeGroff, Paul Pacult, Steve Olson, Doug Frost and Andy Seymour to found Beverage Alcohol Resource, or BAR, an organization dedicated to helping bartenders, brand ambassadors, spirits manufacturers and other interested parties achieve an integrated, comprehensive knowledge of the world of spirits and mixology as a whole.

What were the most astonishing facts you found in researching the life of Jerry Thomas?

The most astonishing things I found were the interviews with him, where we can hear his actual voice. Also astonishing, I must add, is how unconvincing the stories he told of how he invented his drinks were.

Which are your favourite cocktail bars?

I love all of the great new cocktail bars here in New York: Pegu Club, Clover Club, Milk & Honey, PDT and Death & Co. Harry's Bar in Paris is another favorite. But I would give anything to have just one drink at the old Hoffman House, the fanciest bar ever in New York history. Unfortunately, it closed in 1915.

What's your favourite drink?

I'm very partial to an Improved Holland Gin Cocktail.

One of our readers will win the signed copy of your book by answering a smart question. What do you want to know from our readers?

When did the first "American Bar" open in Germany, and where was it?