Picon (apéritif)

Picon (apéritif)

File:Picon.jpg

A bottle of Picon

Picon is a caramel-coloured, flavoured bitters drunk as an apéritif, which traditionally accompanies beer in the east and north of France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. It is made from a base of fresh oranges, which are dried and mixed with a solution of alcohol. Picon also contains gentian and quinquina in equal measures. Each litre of finished product contains 6 grams of orange peel.

History

Picon was invented in 1837 by Gaétan Picon, a French soldier stationed in Algeria, as a treatment for malaria. The original recipe, known as Picon Bière, is still in production today, but has been joined by two other varieties: Picon Club and Picon Vin Blanc.

Varieties

• Picon Bière: This is the original recipe of Picon, and is designed to be served with beer. It has a strong orange flavour and a bitter finish.

• Picon Club: Introduced in the 1950s, Picon Club is a sweeter, less bitter version of Picon Bière. It is designed to be served with white wine or water.

• Picon Vin Blanc: This is a version of Picon that is designed to be served with white wine. It has a lighter, more floral flavour than the other varieties.

In popular culture

Picon has a strong cultural presence in the regions where it is traditionally consumed. It is often associated with the working class, and is a common sight in bars and cafés.

See also

• List of bitters
• List of French liqueurs and spirits
• List of apéritifs and digestifs

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