Sirop de Picon

Picon is a product from France aperitif drink, which is one of the bitter drink, the so-called Amer Africain. Taste -giving substances are primarily oranges and orange peel, but in addition also gentian and Chinarindenbaum tree.

The drink was invented in 1837 by Gaétan Picon (born 1809), when he went to Algeria to serve there in the French army. 1872 Picon returned back to France. In addition to the three distilleries in Algiers, Constantine and Annaba, he founded another factory in Marseille.

Picon is in Alsace as an aperitif, mostly eaten together with a fresh pretzel or pretzel sticks with, and served in Northern France, Luxembourg and Belgium, but is less common in other parts of France. In Germany and Switzerland, the drink is largely forgotten. Until the 1960s the name was " relax, First Time, first Picon " in the slogan represented in commercials on radio and television.

Another preparation method is the so-called Picon beer, in which Picon placed in a beer glass and beer with a mild ( approximately 5.6% Alc. ) Is filled, so that the foam head is slightly brown. The drink may be supplemented with a dash of lemon juice or syrup. Picon Bière has 16 % vol, Picon A L' Orange 18% vol, Amer Picon 21% vol alcohol content.

• Liqueur
• Spirits brand