pepper-upper

pepper-upper or pep·per up·per [pep-er-uhp-er] Word Origin noun Informal.

1. something, as a food, beverage, or pill, that provides a quick but temporary period of energy and alertness.
2. something added to food to relieve blandness.
3. an experience that increases enthusiasm or zeal, as a pep talk.

Origin of pepper-upper 1935–40; pep up + -er1, suffixed pleonastically to both v. and particle