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hand crafted established 2005
The Original Pick-Me-Up
Bob has assisted D. R. Harris with the re-introduction of their famous ‘morning reviver’, The Original Pick-Me-Up, in a reimagined form as a cocktail bitters. The previous version of Pick-Me-Up which was served as a hangover cure at 29 St. James’s Street from the 1860s up until the early 2000s was a tonic and as such this bitters follows a very similar formula.
While we have stayed close to the original formula which primarily included gentian, cloves and cardamon, this new version has a whole host of additional ingredients included to increase efficacy but also to improve the taste.
The previous incarnation of Pick-Me-Up was favoured far-and-wide for its effectiveness, however, it was not prized for its taste or aroma. With the help of Bob this version goes some way to addressing these shortcomings.
In fact, The Original Pick-Me-Up Cocktail Bitters taste so good and have such a unique flavour profile that they act as an excellent addition to many of your favourite cocktails and soft drinks. Alongside these, you can easily recreate the original Pick-Me-Up as was served in the shop. Quite simply:
- 10-15 dashes Original Pick-Me-Up Cocktail Bitters
- 60ml Water
- 1 × Effervescent vitamin tablet of your choice
Once the tablet has been dissolved and the draught has been drunk any signs of jadedness will dissipate and all will be right with the world.
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A Brief History
For over 100 years, and until recently, D.R. Harris’s Original Pick-Me-Up was a well known and popular tonic for the bibulous and roisterous folk of St. James’s. Available as a draught to be taken at the counter or as a concentrate for home use. In D. R. Harris’s 230th year we are proud to revive the famous morning reviver, elaborating on the original recipe with new and efficacious ingredients including ginger, milk thistle, ginseng, lemon peel, calamus root and Regents Park honey.
1860s – Where it all Started
As with nearly any pharmacy or apothecary at the time, D. R. Harris produced a number of reviving tonics and draughts to improve one’s health and constitution. Pick-Me-Ups would have been a common sight in many chemists of the day, but Harris’s, introduced in the 1860’s, has always been known as ‘The Original’.
The Original Recipe
The original recipe of the Pick-Me-Up may have been altered slightly over the years as certain ingredients came in and out of favour. The mainstays were always gentian, cardamon and clove which are prominent in our new version. Gentian is a bitter root famous for its medicinal qualities which aid digestion, stimulate appetite, and help with the effects of heartburn. Cardamon is also well known for its positive effects on digestion and cloves are high in antioxidants and thought to improve liver health.
100 Years Later
Harris’s Original Pick-Me-Up gained a reputation as a hangover cure and was frequently lauded for its restorative abilities. The somewhat jaded clientele of St. James’s would stand at the counter and be served the ‘rapid restorative’ in custom made glasses. It continued to be served in the St. James’s Street shop up until the early 2000s when it became apparent that a license would be needed to continue producing, selling, and serving the preparation.
Bob’s palette has produced a bitters which is true to the historic version of The Original Pick-Me-Up but with a flavour profile that makes it acomplex and valuable addition to a wide range of cocktails and soft drinks.
The New Formulation
The formulation has remained true to the previous version and still contains prominent notes of gentian, cardamon and clove. In 1980, the then proprietor of D. R. Harris, Trevor Harris, wrote of Pick-Me-Up, “Smells vile and tastes a lot worse. Must be taken well diluted. At the shop we make up glasses of this preparation and dispense to regular clients before they can attempt their day’s work. Many good things are said about the efficacy of this preparation, but not about the flavour.” With the help of Bob’s expert guidance, a host of ingredients have been added which not only make Pick-Me-Up more effective, but also genuinely delicious.
Bitters have a similar origin to tonics such as The Original Pick-Me-Up and were originally formulated by apothecaries infusing medicinal herbs and barks into distilled alcohol to take advantage of their digestive properties. This new, all-natural preparation uses high quality ingredients chosen for their effectiveness in combating the worst effects of over-indulgence whilst producing a complex and appetising flavour.
A closer look at some of our ingredients
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Lemon peel
A source of vitamin C
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Cardamon
Aids digestion and reduces feelings of nausea
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Regents Park Honey
Rich in antioxidants and a healthier alternative to sugar
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Ginger Root
Reduces nausea, fights pain as an anti-inflammatory
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Ginseng Root
Reduces inflammation and increases energy
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Liquorice Root
Soothes the stomach and aids digestion
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Cloves
High in antioxidants and thought to aid liver repair
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Benzoin
Uplifts mood and relaxes
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Milk Thistle
Promotes liver health
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Cassia Bark
Contains antioxidants and helps to regulate blood sugar
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Gentian
Aids digestion and stimulates appetite
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Bergamot
A natural mood booster and antidepressant
It’s great to see a modern-day alchemist (Bob) developing the 100-year-old recipe of a fellow alchemist to keep these traditional tonic bitters alive.
Simon Difford, Difford’s Guide
