Picon Amer

Product of: Belgium

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View 23 cocktails with Amer Picon

Amer Picon is made with fresh and dried orange peel macerated in neutral alcohol and then distilled. Dried gentian roots and quinquina are macerated separately. The distillate and infusion are then blended together along with sugar and caramel.

'Amer' is French for bitter and this bittersweet, orange and gentian aperitif was created in 1837 in Philippeville, Algeria by Gaetan Picon, a French cavalry sergeant serving in Algeria. Like other French aperitifs created at the time (including Dubonnet Red and St Raphaël), Amer Picon includes quinine and owed part of its popularity to its perceived health benefits, particularly amongst the military keen to ward off malaria whilst on campaigns in North Africa, hence its nickname 'African Amer'.

Traditionally served over ice with a dash of Grenadine, soda and a slice of orange or with lemon syrup and topped with soda water. However, now more commonly used in cocktails.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 17/02/2013

Appearance:

Clear, tawny amber with glints of burnished bronze.

Aroma:

Zesty orange and quinine with faint mocha coffee.

Taste:

Bittersweet, lightly syrupy, bitter orange zest, quinine, orange juice, boiled cabbage and mocha coffee.

Aftertaste:

Long lingering orange zest with quinine complexity.