Not Quite Picon Bière

By Rebekah Peppler

Updated June 10, 2024

Not Quite Picon Bière
Christopher Simpson for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
5 minutes
Rating
4(264)
Notes
Read community notes

Walk by any sidewalk bar or tabac in France, and the chalkboard menu is bound to include Picon Bière: a combination of Amer Picon — a sweetened, lightly bitter, burnt orange-flavored apéritif — and a long pour of light, often cheap beer. While Amer Picon is widely consumed all over France, the bottle is not available in the United States. Instead, approximate the French staple by combining a sweet, citrus-leaning amaro, orange liqueur, and a pilsner or light lager. Serve it in a Collins glass or build it directly in the beer bottle or can by taking a few big sips and pouring in the rest of the ingredients directly.

Featured in: Beer Truly Is the Champagne of Cocktails

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink
  • 1ounce amaro, such as China-China Amer, Averna or Amaro Nonino
  • ¼ounce orange liqueur
  • 6 to 8ounces pilsner or lager, chilled
  • Lemon or orange wedge, for garnish
Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a Collins or highball glass, combine the amaro and orange liqueur. Top with chilled beer, stir gently, and finish with a citrus wedge.

Ratings

4 out of 5
264 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

Andrew

now thats the kind of niche anecdote that saves the comment sections from the likes of "replaced the amaro with cognac, and the pilsner with mikes hard lemonade - not a fan of this recipe"

Dena

I remember drinking this late at night in a public square in Nancy, during the historic French heat wave.

Peebles

I brought a bottle home returning from teaching English in northeastern France and enthusiastically made Picon-Bière for all my friends. Then I ran out.

Eli

I make this with Miller High Life. The extra carbonation goes really good with this flavor. The perfect mix of high and low class!

PMK

This is delightful. The cans of Corona languishing in my fridge have now found a higher, more delicious purpose. I only regret that this means I’ll go thru my beloved Amaro Nonino more quickly…

Dave Ballard

You might as well make a picon punch. It’s the official cocktail of the real Nevada. Just be careful, they sneak up on you.

Eli

I make this with Miller High Life. The extra carbonation goes really good with this flavor. The perfect mix of high and low class!

Saul

this is delicious, I used Modelo Mexican beer which is close to lager and even my wife who doesn't really like beer said it was delicious and she also fell in love with China-China

KensCooking

My best friend went to France and I told him to buy me a bottle of Picon. He went to a bunch of liquor stores before finally finding it in a supermarche checkout. A gift I received gratefully. Then I drank it all. Now it's gone. I am sad.

Dena

I remember drinking this late at night in a public square in Nancy, during the historic French heat wave.

Andrew

now thats the kind of niche anecdote that saves the comment sections from the likes of "replaced the amaro with cognac, and the pilsner with mikes hard lemonade - not a fan of this recipe"

Peebles

I brought a bottle home returning from teaching English in northeastern France and enthusiastically made Picon-Bière for all my friends. Then I ran out.

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