Picon (apéritif)

Picon is a caramel-coloured, flavoured bitters[1] drunk as an apéritif, which traditionally accompanies beer in the east and north of France.

But, failing to convince the manufacturer to take part, the sub-prefect stubbornly took it upon himself (without telling Mr. Picon) to ship a case of African Amer to London.

[2] The product ended up crowned with a bronze medal in the bitter aperitif category, greatly adding to Gaétan Picon's eventual fortune.

It is primarily served in American Basque regions such as Boise, Idaho; Bakersfield, California; and throughout Northern Nevada.

The unavailability of Picon in America has led to two drinks regularly used as substitutes: Torani Amer (available primarily in California) and Amer Boudreau, a DIY drink created by Seattle-based mixologist, bartender and author Jamie Boudreau to the specifications of the pre-1970 recipe for Picon.