Picon Punch

Picon Punch, served in the traditional custom glass used in Northern Nevada. Santa Fe Hotel, Reno, Nevada
Picon Punch

Picon Punch, or simply Picon, is a cocktail made with Amer Picon or other orange Amaro liqueur, a splash of soda water, grenadine, a lemon twist, and some brandy. The drink is identified as Basque, but is not common in the Basque region in the Pyrénées. Basque immigrants in the U.S. however have embraced the drink, where it is popular in Basque restaurants and bars in the western USA, particularly southern Idaho, northern and central California, and northern Nevada.

Description

Bottles of Amer Picon liqueur

Picon Punch is traditionally made with Amer Picon, an orange liqueur from Marseille, France. It is not readily available in the United States. As a result bars in the USA use a substitute liquor; the most popular is Torani Amer.

In Northern Nevada, the Picon Punch is served with ice in a custom stemmed glass produced by the Louie Picon Glass Company of Sparks. In other regions, the drink is made in a highball or Collins glass filled with ice. At the J.T. Basque Bar and Dining Room in Gardnerville, it is served in a short 4 oz. glass.

History

Picon Punch originated in Europe and remains popular among Basque immigrants in the United States. As of 2005, the drink was almost never made in Basque Country.

In 2024, there were shortages of Torani Amer resulting from supply chain interruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and a production change, which required recertification by California authorities. During this time, there were shortages in Nevada with several bars and restaurants unable to make Picon Punch or using a different substitute liquor. Rumors appeared about the long term viability of the drink as Torani downplayed the liquor to focus on their flavored syrup business. In 2025, Torani transferred the recipe for Torani Amer to Ferino Distillery in Reno, Nevada.

In 2025, a bill was approved by the Nevada State Legislature designating Picon Punch the official state cocktail.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Zubiri, N. (2006). A Travel Guide to Basque America: Families, Feasts, and Festivals. Basque (Paperback). University of Nevada Press. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-87417-632-2.
  2. 1 2 Gold, J. (2000). Counter Intelligence: Where to Eat in the Real Los Angeles. St. Martin's Press. p. 219. ISBN 978-0-312-27634-8.
  3. ↑ Douglass, W.A.; Bilbao, J. (2005). Amerikanuak: Basques in the New World. Basque (Paperback). University of Nevada Press. p. 377. ISBN 978-0-87417-625-4.
  4. 1 2 Douglass, William A.; Bilbao, Jon (1975). Amerikanuak : Basques in the New World. Internet Archive. Reno : University of Nevada Press. ISBN 978-0-87417-043-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
  5. ↑ Haigh, T. (2009). Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails: From the Alamagoozlum to the Zombie 100 Rediscovered Recipes and the Stories Behind Them. Quarry Books. p. 231. ISBN 978-1-61673-475-6.
  6. ↑ Grier, J.; Reamer, D.; Beaumont, S. (2015). Cocktails on Tap: The Art of Mixing Spirits and Beer. ABRAMS. p. 68. ISBN 978-1-61312-779-7.
  7. ↑ "Louis' Basque Corner in Reno". Holm Family Cookbook. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  8. ↑ "J.T. Basque in Gardnerville, NV".
  9. ↑ Douglass, William A.; Bilbao, Jon (1975). Amerikanuak : Basques in the New World. Internet Archive. Reno : University of Nevada Press. ISBN 978-0-87417-043-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
  10. ↑ Maynard, Mark (August 6, 2024). "Picon Panic: Key ingredient for iconic Nevada cocktail unavailable until mid-August at the earliest". This is Reno. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Reno distillery to produce Amer liqueur, key ingredient of Nevada's iconic Picon Punch".
  12. ↑ "Torani and Ferino Distillery partner to preserve Amer Liqueur". Northern Nevada Business Weekly. February 3, 2025. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  13. 1 2 2 News Nevada Digital Team (June 12, 2025). "Governor Lombardo signs bill allowing off property alcohol sales or delivery, naming state drink". 2 News. Retrieved June 25, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

Further reading