What is Picon?

In Alsace, there is a drink closely linked to beer. This drink is Picon , or bitter for some people. It is common in the region, but this orange-based drink does not come from Alsace. It's everywhere, in almost every home or restaurant, country festival or tavern. What if we looked at this aperitif ?

The history of Picon

Algeria: land of Picon

Algeria before independence.

Picon takes us back to the colonial era of French history, when Algeria was incorporated into the national territory and soldiers died from contaminated water and dysentery. In the Sahara Desert, thirst is a constant constraint. And these waters are generally unsanitary and kill people by carrying many diseases. Gaétan Picon was sent to Algeria in the early 1830s and discovered the fever and malaria that afflicted many soldiers.

He also contracted this disease, then tried to infuse himself with plants to cure it. He was born in Genoa in 1809, during the reign of Napoleon I, and settled in Marseille during the fall of the empire in 1815. He trained as a distiller and worked in Aix and Marseille before joining Algeria. Then he remembered that some of Grandma's antimalarial recipes included infusions of quinine and oranges. He tried his own experiment by infusing fresh and dried oranges and quinine into alcohol. The result was decisive, because he was cured.

The news spread in French circles to such an extent that he was asked to mass produce this digestive drink. Gaétan Picon did it, thus creating this new drink which is mixed with water. Titration at 21° can kill bacteria, promote digestion and quench thirst. Since 1837, Picon has marketed its digestive by calling it “ African bitter ”. A brand was born and spread beyond Algeria.

The beginnings of popularity: the London World's Fair of 1862

The London Universal Exhibition of 1862, where the Picon met with great success.

The brand enjoyed great success in 1862. A world fair was organized in London, where many foods were tested and awarded. French producers and industrialists were encouraged by the imperial government to exhibit their products.

Despite the request of the deputy governor of Philipville, Picon refused to have his bitter (bitter in the language of Shakespear) participate in the competition. Faced with this rejection, the deputy investigating judge decided to send a case of Picon to the exhibition without informing its creator. The drink won the bronze medal, which significantly increased its sales and fame.

Picon is increasing its factories in Algeria as well as in mainland France. Its drink is no longer drunk with water, but is used to make many cocktails. Moreover, on the occasion of her notoriety, she was quoted in several films, which reinforced her popularity.

The Picon in the films

In Marius , Picon is the protagonist of the four districts of the famous scene: Picon Lemon Curaçao of the house. The recipe consists of a third of each of the following elements: lemon, Picon, water, and Curaçao.

In Un Singer en Hiver , Jean-Paul Belmondo gets drunk on a Picon beer at the Tigreville bar then relives his memories of Spain. Picon beer is now the main use of this digestive juice. It adds a bitter and orange taste when mixed with dark or golden beer. It can be seen at 0:34 .

In Le Père Noël est une ordure , Zezette is played by Marie-Anne Chazell, while her lover, played by Gérard Jugnot, is a fan of Picon beer.

To make the combination with white wine more optimal, the Picon Club was launched in 1995.

The Picon from South to North

This digestive is today the most consumed in the north of France because it accompanies beer, very popular in the region. Born in the Mediterranean to initially serve the soil of Algeria, Picon would eventually become popular with bars in the North of France. This shows that food always manages to anchor itself in the region and transcend borders.

A waiter bringing a Picon-Bière.

How is Picon made?

Picon is made from gentian root, cinchona bark and especially dried orange peel , all soaked in an alcohol solution to which caramel and syrup are added.

How can you drink Picon?

Picon is generally associated with beer (some will say that it is used to mask the bad taste of some of them), hence the name Picon-beer : count 3cl of Picon for 25cl of beer . It can also be served with other types of alcohol, such as cocktails or white wine (in this case it is recommended to use the Picon Club variant).

For 25 cl of beer, you need 3 cl of Picon.

Where is Picon made?

Originally of Algerian origin, Picon has been made in Marseille since 1815 and continues to be made today.

The Picon building in Marseille

Does Picon expire?

Like pasta, alcohol can still be consumed after its expiration date , but the quality may be lower. After this date, the nutritional and sensory values ​​(odor and taste) are no longer guaranteed. So be vigilant.

What beer with picon?

Picon beer is traditionally associated with a light lager such as Plisner , but it can also be linked to dark beer . In both cases, you can add lemon syrup . If you like Guinness , it is optimal to compose an Irish Picon, including a mixture of this Irish beer and grenadine syrup. If it's the caramel flavor of the Maximator that you like, the Picon will mix perfectly with it!

Irish Picon: Guinness and Picon make an excellent tandem .

Picon, with or without?

When someone offers you a Picon and asks you “with or without”, if you answer “with”, your drink will be poured with a little lemon syrup.

A Picon “with” will be served to you with lemon syrup.

What is a Picon-beer?

A Picon-beer is simply beer mixed with Picon . The ideal dose is 3cl of Picon for 25cl of beer.

Picon advertisements

If the Picon is famous for its taste qualities, it is also popular for its... decorative qualities! Indeed, old Picon advertising visuals are particularly appreciated as wall decorations thanks to their vintage style which embellishes any type of room. At Planète Vintage, we have superb reproductions of these advertisements in the form of plaques and posters ! In addition, when you order two plaques/posters, the third is free . It’s worth celebrating, right? Why not with a Picon, exactly? 🥂