Picon is a bittersweet orange-flavored French liqueur, officially classified as a bitter, which is commonly paired with beer. It was created in 1932 by Gaétan Picon, who was an apprentice at a distillery before he was stationed in Algeria.
Like many other French soldiers, he was exposed to malaria, and soon after he invented Picon—a combination of neutral alcohol, caramel, and various herbs and spices such as orange zest, gentian root, and cinchona bark (known to yield quinine which was an effective treatment against malaria).
Triple sec is a French term for clear, orange-flavored liqueurs. They are traditionally distilled from a macerate of dried orange peels and a neutral spirit. The origin of triple sec is undoubtedly French, though it is disputed who was the first to use and market the term, as well as the true meaning of the name triple sec, which translates as triple dry.
Combier distillery from Saumur claims that their triple sec is the earliest version, first made in 1834, though some name Cointreau as the original producer. Regardless, the two companies are still the biggest competitors and the most important triple sec brands.
VARIATIONS OF Triple Sec
Hailing from Padua, this Italian liqueur was invented in 1919 by the Barbieri brothers. It has been produced following the original secret infusion that combines bitter and sweet oranges, rhubarb, herbs, and alcohol. It is characterized by its combination of bitter, fruity, and floral flavors and a low alcohol content of only 11% ABV. Aperol was initially invented as an apéritif, preferably served over ice, but it also pairs incredibly well with citrus or fruit juices, and soda.
The most popular combination is undoubtedly Aperol Spritz—the fashionable, light apéritif that combines Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of soda water.
This classic triple sec was created by the Cointreau brothers, who managed to distill sweet and bitter orange peels to create a slightly sweet, fresh liqueur with incredibly concentrated flavor. The brand was first registered as triple sec in 1885, and since then it has remained one of the best-selling, premium options. Cointreau is mainly used as the essential ingredient in various cocktails such as the classics Sidecar, Margarita, or Cosmopolitan.
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