This is what it says on Distillerie A. Blachère's website. They have been the sole producers of this Italian syrup since the 60's. "PAC à l'eau" is what you ask for if you want to try this lemony drink. We were introduced to it just over a week ago at our friends' home and it is now our beverage of choice! Tomée and I prefer to drink ours with San Pellegrino (tastes like lemonada) whereas Yanni likes his mixed with plain old water (tastes more like lemonade).
Distillerie A. Blachère is the oldest distilllery in Provence. It began producing liqueurs in Avignon in 1835. Some of their earliest liqueurs, made from plants, herbs and wines of the region made them famous and were sometimes used for medicinal purposes. They included, "L'Elixer du Mont Ventoux, La Comptadine, and L'Origan du Comptat". In 1882, their drink "Rhum Zoulla" was used to rub the bodies of cholera sufferers. As thanks to the distillery, a famous regional composer, Germain Beraud dedicated a waltz to this life-saving drink and the city of Avignon also honoured them.
In 1960 they started producing PAC Citron, an italian syrup made of sugar and lemon. It became a hit all over Provence. It's name was created by the owner at the time, Louis Guiot, who took the first initial of each of his three children, Pierre, Annick, Christian, and Colette and put them together.
In 1993, the new owners moved the distillery to the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape where they continue to produce PAC and a number of other syrups and liqueurs.
We love PAC Citron and are definitely going to have to 'pack' some PAC for home!
Does this make us "vrais Provencaux"?
If you're interested in finding out more about PAC, visit their website: www.distillerie-a-blachere.com/ . They also have really beautiful images of their old drink posters and advertisments.
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