Because of the Liberal, that’s why. It all started as a hack of Torani Amer and Regan’s Orange bitters #6. But that was before Amer Picon from France. Now there is always Amer Picon in the house, a band called the Bitter Liberals, and a house cocktail.

Then came a Thanksgiving, Christa, and talk of Neroli-Petitgrain oranges growing in East Tennessee.

So yes, Amer Picon. Lets make it. Using ultra local super hot white dog. Lets make it.

December 15

December 19

SOLSTICE

Christmas Eve

And then the big day: January 5, 2017

The final ingredient mix

The final ingredient mix

Orange peel infusion jar

Orange peel infusion jar

Straining the peel infusion with a coffee filter

Straining the peel infusion with a coffee filter

Measuring the proof

Measuring the proof

A drop from 165 to 110

A drop from 165 to 110

*** 110 proof orange peel infusion

Straining the orange leaf infusion

Straining the orange leaf infusion

*** Orange leaf infusion

Caramelized orange juice with brown sugar and butter

Caramelized orange juice with brown sugar and butter

*** Caramelized orange juice

Gentian

Gentian

*** Gentian

Quina

Quina

*** Quina

20170105_202514

Very close but needs some sugar, so simple syrup of demerara.

Demarara

Demarara

Blend, taste, adjust, work. (Two half batches combined was our methodology.)

Notes and the final recipe.

Notes and the final recipe.

Proof is in the Liberal.

A Liberal with homemade Amer Picon

A Liberal with homemade Amer Picon

Success!