A bitter/sweet taste of Nevada’s Basque legacy.
The one drink known to genuinely represent the rich Basque history in Nevada is, of course, the Picon punch. This strong concoction that warms as it goes down (perfect for winter) is meant to be shared among friends and has become a symbol of camaraderie, tradition, and local culture — one that was explored in a locally produced film.
Mark Maynard, an English professor at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, and fellow student documentarians attending the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno, created Piconland: The Quest for the Perfect Picon Punch.
This short film, which premiered in 2021, explores the history and significance of the Picon punch in Northern Nevada. The film was written and directed by Maynard, with cinematography by Richard Bednarski and support from Autumn King, Makayla Hardy, and Sarah Schuon. Piconland was honored as the Best Nevada Film at the Dam Short Film Festival in February 2023, it has aired on PBS, and the filmmakers still are working to get the documentary more festival and national exposure.
“I wanted to make the film because there are so few cocktails, or really any kind of cuisine, that are so closely associated with a place,” Maynard explains. “There is, of course, the Manhattan, and the Sazerac is always associated with New Orleans. But the story of the Picon punch is the story of Nevada. It is a story of immigration, of ranching, of wild, untamed, lonely places and the people who thrive there. It is Nevada’s Basque history, its rural heartbeat, and its cosmopolitan 24-hour culture, all blended together and poured over ice into a distinctive glass. I wanted to celebrate that experience with Nevadans for whom it was a familiar icon and to share it with people far and wide who had never heard of it but should know all about it.”
Picon’s Past
When asked to identify the best Picon punch in Nevada, Maynard’s answer is unexpected.
“It’s less about the taste and more about the moment,” he says. “It’s like asking, ‘What was your favorite time hanging out with friends?’ The answer is often the last time you had a Picon punch, surrounded by good company. It’s a drink meant to be shared, making it feel less like a cocktail and more like a great experience in every glass.”
The origins of the Picon punch, as the film shares, trace back to the 19th century, when Picon Amer, a French herbal liqueur, made its way across the Atlantic. Created by Gitan Picon, an Italian soldier who served with the French army in Algeria, the drink became a staple in the Basque community. Basque immigrants brought the liqueur to the United States. In San Francisco, the first Picon punch was mixed. The cocktail contains Picon Amer, grenadine, brandy, club soda, and a lemon peel garnish.
“First of all, it’s potent but really complex,” Maynard explains. “The Picon Amer itself is herbal and on the bitter side. It’s generally sweetened with grenadine and has a little carbonation and texture. There’s brandy on top, and it’s all kind of mixed together. The lemon peel gives a pop of citrus on top, so as you’re drinking it, you get all these different flavors. When the ice melts, it blends even further, so the first and last sip are completely different cocktails.”
The Reno-Tahoe Picon punch scene spans decades. Places such as Louis’ Basque Corner and JT Basque Bar and Dining Room in Gardnerville are among the local Basque restaurants serving the flavorful libation. Maynard recommends Coney Island Bar in Sparks and Casale’s Halfway Club in Reno for a different take.
While the filmmakers are pausing future sequels for now, they are focused on AB-139, introduced in Nevada’s legislature, which is a second attempt to make it the state’s official drink.
“It’s the most Nevadan drink you can get,” Maynard notes.
No matter the outcome, the Picon punch will remain a beloved part of Nevada’s history, connecting the past with the present, one shared sip at a time.
Piconland still is in the running for a few film festivals, so the filmmakers can’t make it available widely until then. They do hope to schedule a “roadshow” tour, to show it live at different venues across Nevada. For details on upcoming showings, follow the filmmakers on Instagram at Piconland, or visit Piconland.com.
