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.

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.

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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The Original Pick-Me-Up bottle placed on vintage handwritten recipe book
The Original Pick-Me-Up bottle with tray of glasses and lemon slices
Vintage handwritten recipe book for The Original Pick-Me-Up

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


  • illustration of lemon peel

    Lemon peel

    A source of vitamin C

  • illustration of cardamon pods

    Cardamon

    Aids digestion and reduces feelings of nausea

  • illustration of honeycomb and bee

    Regents Park Honey

    Rich in antioxidants and a healthier alternative to sugar

  • illustration of ginger root

    Ginger Root

    Reduces nausea, fights pain as an anti-inflammatory

  • illustration of ginseng root

    Ginseng Root

    Reduces inflammation and increases energy

  • illustration of liquorice root

    Liquorice Root

    Soothes the stomach and aids digestion

  • illustration of cloves

    Cloves

    High in antioxidants and thought to aid liver repair

  • illustration of benzoin resin

    Benzoin

    Uplifts mood and relaxes

  • illustration of milk thistle

    Milk Thistle

    Promotes liver health

  • illustration of cassia bark

    Cassia Bark

    Contains antioxidants and helps to regulate blood sugar

  • illustration of gentian flower

    Gentian

    Aids digestion and stimulates appetite

  • illustration of bergsmot

    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

The Original Pick-Me-Up bottle alongside a cocktail and orange pieces
The Original Pick-Me-Up bottle positioned in front of vintage bottles
The Original Pick-Me-Up bottle alongside a cocktail, spices and pineapple pieces