Amer Picon

Amer Picon is a bittersweet French digestif with a unique orange flavor. The proprietary blend dates back to 1837 and was reformulated in the 1970's into a weaker form, reduced from 39% alc/volume to 21%. Along with orange, Amer Picon is made with quinine, cinchona, and genetian.

Amer Picon makes a frequent appearance in the original recipes for many classic cocktails, the Liberal Cocktail and Picon Punch included. It was widely available when many of the first bartending books were written and is very difficult to find now, leaving those wanting those cocktails looking for alternatives (see below for more information).

As of the writing of this article (August 2011) Amer Picon is not available for sale in the United States, and from what I can gather, Canada and much of the world outside of Europe. One reader mentions finding it in travels to Tokyo. Tales abound of people using their travels or friends' travels to acquire the elusive aperitif.

Shopping for Amer Picon online is also a daunting task. Very few websites have it available, though one that I can recommend is The Whisky Exchange. They do receive many inquiries for Amer Picon and will ship most places - U.S. included, not Canada - though I would check before ordering as shipping regulations fluctuate.

If you have a reliable source or an update on this information, please email me at cocktails.guide@about.com.

So, this is such a great ingredient for classic cocktails and everyone wants it but cannot get it, what to do? Amer Picon is now what absinthe was before it became legal again; that elusive ingredient that enthusiasts are going to seek out, substitute, or make themselves. These are our options and we've already talked about the extremely limited availability, so let's go to the alternatives.

Make Your Own:
Attempts have been made at creating an in-house reproduction of Amer Picon and the majority have failed. The one that has been tested and approved by classic cocktail experts as being closest to the original formula (well-guarded bottles remain in private collections) is that developed by Mixologist Jamie Boudreau. His recipe is dubbed "Amer Boudreau" and details of his quest to perfect it along with the recipe can be found in this 2007 blog on SpiritsandCocktails.com.

Commercial Substitutions:
In that same post, Boudreau points out the aspects of common substitutes for Amer Picon and how they differ. No bitter on the market lives up to the taste of Amer Picon, it is a proprietary formula so that is only natural. However, these are some of the options available. The discerning drinker who is familiar with either formula of Amer Picon will notice the difference.

• Amer Torani - US produced 'replica', not highly recommended substitute though decent and commonly available and used
• Amaro CioCiaro - recommended substitute
• Ramazotti - website, suitable substitute (base of Boudreau's recipe)
• Amer Montenegro
• Amer Nonino