Fitzpatrick's Botanical Herbalists has been making soft drinks for the people of Rossendale and the Lancashire regions since 1899.
Over the past 15 years its popularity has soared with interest from around the UK but also from as far away as Australia, USA and UAE to name but a few. We now offer a nationwide next day delivery service to anywhere on the UK mainland.
To buy our product today simply visit our online store, or to stock our delicious range of cordials then please contact us today.
Mr Fitzpatrick's - The Story
The winter wind chills your bones as it gusts down the main street of Rawtenstall, in the county of Lancashire, in North West England. It can make you feel as battered as the cod in the chip shop. In the former mill towns that cling to the Pennine mountains, they have a term for the bluster: "It's proper parky" they say. Then they add, "Cheer up, have a Mr Fitzpatrick's tonic, and tha'll ail nowt and all will be well with the world".
During the Industrial Revolution, the region experienced a massive population influx. The easy availability of ale and gin led to widespread alcoholism and in response the Temperance Movement began in the Lancashire town of Preston in 1835. Prohibition was never legislated here, but non-alcoholic bars sprang up to promote abstinence from the 'demon drink'. The Fitzpatricks, an Irish family of herbalists, started their business in 1899. At their peak they had around 30 shops. Interest in 'taking the pledge' faded after World War II and today our shop is the only sole survivor.
The tiny Victorian bar still looks much as it ever did: ceramic tap barrels, shelves lined with jars of medicinal herbs, roots and extracts. Although open for business as usual, it is largely a heritage site today.
However, all is not lost, there has been a huge resurgence in interest and so the Mr Fitzpatricks legacy still lives on and these botanical pick me ups are still produced in Lancashire from the original archive recipes in much the same way as they always were.
Mr Fitzpatricks cordials are as much a part of our heritage as Bury Black Puddings or oven bottom barms.