Overview: Picon Punch, a traditional Basque-American cocktail, has been designated as Nevada’s official drink in 2025. The resurgence relies on Ferino Distillery producing Amer following a Torani shortage in 2024. This revival highlights the enduring connection between European ingredients and immigrant culture.
The Full Story
Picon Punch is a traditional Basque-American cocktail that was named Nevada’s official drink in 2025. Historically, Picon Amer found a fanbase in its native France due to an absinthe shortage before spreading to America as a medicinal tincture among 19th-century Basque immigrants. In America, Picon Punch became (and remains) a fixture of Basque immigrant culture, showcasing European ingredients and offering a connection between bar patrons with similar roots.
The contemporary mixology wave has placed special focus on resurrecting forgotten old-school cocktails, and aptly, this Basque-American drink has been enjoying a resurgence. The cocktail is prepared by layering grenadine, Picon Amer, soda water, and brandy in an Irish coffee glass. A lemon or orange twist is a customary garnish.
Production & Profile
Picon Amer is a bitter French liqueur with a 21% ABV, characterized by notes of gentian root, orange peel, and cinchona bark. The cocktail is prepared by layering grenadine, Picon Amer, soda water, and brandy in an Irish coffee glass. A lemon or orange twist serves as the customary garnish.
Brand & Industry History
Historically, Picon Amer found a fanbase in its native France due to an absinthe shortage before spreading to America as a medicinal tincture among 19th-century Basque immigrants. By 1900, a printed recipe for the cocktail appeared in William Boothby’s “American Bartender.” Today, the contemporary mixology wave has placed special focus on resurrecting forgotten old-school cocktails.
What This Means
In response to a 2024 shortage of Torani-brand Amer, Torani reached out to Nevada’s Ferino Distillery to offer its confidential recipe and global rights for free. This move supports the regional bevy while maintaining the cocktail’s identity despite the name change to Ferino Amer.
Consumer Takeaway
For homemixologists looking to try the cocktail for themselves, Amaro Montenegro and Amaro Abano serve as herbal substitutes due to Amer’s spotty availability in the U.S. The drink offers a lightly effervescent mouthfeel from the carbonation yet a satiny body from the brandy.
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