Picon Punch

By Lee Jackson ↣ Published on: October 22, 2023

Picon Punch is a lively, citrus-forward long drink that balances bright orange bitterness with a sweet, fruity finish. Built with the classic French bitter aperitif Picon Amer, it combines brandy, grenadine and soda water to create a refreshing cocktail that’s easy to enjoy. Santé!

What could be more refreshing than a Picon Punch? I discovered Picon Amer while traveling last year and it quickly became a favourite. Picon’s bittersweet orange character and subtle herbal notes make it ideal for long drinks like this one.

I prefer long cocktails because they stretch out the drink and make a refreshing, easy-to-sip experience. A short, strong cocktail can be over before you know it; Picon Punch keeps things balanced and enjoyable.

On its own, Picon can be assertive. Combined with grenadine for sweetness, a measure of brandy or cognac for warmth and depth, and topped with soda, it softens into a lively, well-rounded cocktail with a pleasant bitter-sweet finish.

Note: Picon Amer is widely available in Europe, but it has been restricted in the US. Fortunately, there are several good American-made alternatives that recreate its flavour profile, so you can still enjoy classic recipes like this one.

What’s Ahead?

What is Picon?

Picon is a classic French aperitif known for its bittersweet orange character and amber colour. Created in the 19th century, it blends bitter orange peel, gentian root and caramel to produce a complex flavour that is bitter, herbal and slightly sweet.

Picon is versatile: it’s used to flavour white wine and beer in France (a splash in beer is a revelation). The drink has strong ties to Basque culture, and it’s in that community that the Picon Punch became popular and was introduced to the United States.

Banned in the USA?

In the 1960s the FDA halted commercial importation of Picon Amer to the U.S. because one of its traditional ingredients contains a compound similar to those in calamus root. While Picon remains common across Europe, it is not widely available in the U.S. market.

Picon Alternatives

Fortunately, U.S. drinkers can still approximate the Picon flavour through several American-made alternatives. Small distilleries, especially those rooted in Basque communities (like parts of Nevada), produce amar-style liqueurs that emulate Picon’s orange-bitter profile. These substitutions work well in classic recipes.

Why it works?

It’s refreshing — Picon Punch brings together bright bitter orange notes with sweet grenadine, a warming measure of brandy or cognac, and effervescence from soda water. That mix softens the bitterness and creates a balanced, thirst-quenching cocktail with herbal depth similar to other amers.

Stuff You’ll Need

Making a Picon Punch is straightforward. The following ingredients create a balanced bitter-sweet cocktail without overpowering heat from the spirits.

• Picon or substitute — if Picon Amer is unavailable in your country, choose an amer-style substitute designed to mimic its bitter orange profile.
• Brandy or Cognac — adds fruity, caramel warmth.
• Grenadine — provides sweetness and a bright, pinkish hue.
• Soda water — to top and lighten the drink.
• Lemon — a twist of peel for garnish; a small squeeze of juice is optional.
• Ice — serve in a tall highball with plenty of ice for a chilled, refreshing result.

Mix the ingredients in a highball glass and top with soda. Some bartenders float the brandy on top, but a fully stirred or gently mixed version is equally enjoyable. The full, scaled recipe with quantities appears below.

Ready to get your Pic-on? More Picon uses.

If you enjoy Picon Punch, try experimenting—Picon Amer works in many simple drinks. Here are a few classic and delicious ideas:

• Picon Bière — add a small measure (about half a shot) to a cold lager or beer for a shandy-like refresher.
• Picon & Wine — stir a tablespoon into a glass of dry white or a sparkling wine for an aromatic twist.
• Picon Negroni — replace Campari with Picon in a Negroni using equal parts Picon Amer, dry vermouth and gin.
• Sanctuary — mix 2 oz sweet white wine, 1 oz Picon Amer and 0.5 oz Cointreau for a light, fruity sip.

More cocktail recipes

If you liked this Picon Punch recipe, try more cocktails from this site for varied, seasonal and classic suggestions.

• Hugo Spritz Cocktail
• Campari Cocktail (The Pink Fizz)
• Bangkok G&T (Gin Cocktail with Thai Basil)
• Pamplemousse Cocktail
• The Sculaccione Cocktail
• Lucien Gaudin Cocktail

Any Questions? (FAQ)

Have a question about the Picon Punch recipe? Leave a comment and I’ll respond.

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