Editing Vimto

{{Short description|British soft drink}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{infobox beverage
| name = Vimto
| image = Vimto No Added Sugar 2.jpg
| type = Soft drink
| manufacturer = [[Nichols plc]]
| distributor = Cabana
| introduced = {{start date and age|1908}}
| origin = [[England]]
| region = [[Manchester]]
| colour = [[Purple]]
| flavour = Mixed fruits
| variants = 
| related = 
| website = {{URL|vimto.co.uk}}
| logo = Vimto_logo_on_grey.svg
| logo_caption = 2021 logo on a grey background
| caption = A glass of Vimto
| image_size = 150
}}

'''Vimto''' is a British mixed fruit [[soft drink]] containing the juice of [[grape]]s, [[Raspberry|raspberries]], [[blackcurrant]]s, and black [[carrot]]s flavoured with herbs and spices.<ref name="BBC" /> Originating in [[Manchester]], northern [[England]], the recipe was invented in 1908 by John Noel Nichols of [[Blackburn]]. It was first manufactured as a [[Herbal tonic|health tonic]] in [[Squash (drink)|cordial]] form, then decades later as a [[Soft drink#Carbonated drinks|carbonated drink]]. Produced domestically by [[Nichols plc]], it is available in cans and bottles in carbonated, still, cordial (squash), and energy forms and it has also been made into a [[confectionery|sweet]], [[ice pop|ice lolly]] and other items.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vimto Range |url=https://www.vimto.co.uk/vimto-range/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Vimto |language=en-GB}}</ref> Vimto is traditionally most popular in the north of England<ref name="BBC" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-20 |title=Southern converts provide Vimto boost |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/southern-converts-provide-vimto-boost-6rk75nfz6tg |access-date=2024-05-20 |language=en |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> and is also sold globally under license, and enjoys high popularity in the [[Arab gulf countries|Persian Gulf countries]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-07-25 |title=Vimto hits purple patch in the Gulf |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-23455612 |access-date=2024-05-20 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> and in [[The Gambia]] and [[Senegal]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Ben |date=2020-09-22 |title=Purple Ronnie & How Vimto Took Over The World |url=https://www.manchestersfinest.com/news/purple-ronnie-how-vimto-took-over-the-world/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Manchester’s Finest |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==History==
Vimto was created in 1908 in [[Manchester]] by John Noel Nichols (1883–1966), a wholesaler of herbs, spices and medicines.<ref>{{Cite web | website= Manchester.ac.uk | url= http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/article/?id=7415 | title= Famous Vimto monument gets a makeover | access-date= 14 May 2015 | archive-date= 18 May 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150518101344/http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/article/?id=7415 | url-status= live }}.</ref> He saw the market opening for soft drinks due to the [[temperance movement]] and the passage of the [[Licensing Act 1904]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |first=Tim |last=Holt|date=2005|title=Demanding the Right to Drink: The two great Hyde Park demonstrations |magazine=Brewery History|volume=118| pages=26-40 |url=http://www.breweryhistory.com/journal/archive/118/bh-118-026.html |access-date=2023-03-22 |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322231948/http://www.breweryhistory.com/journal/archive/118/bh-118-026.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was originally sold under the name '''Vim Tonic''' ({{Wikt-lang|en|vim}} meaning 'vigour'), which Nichols shortened to 'Vimto' in 1912. Vimto was originally registered as a health tonic or medicine, which was then re-registered in 1913 as a [[Squash (drink)|cordial]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.vimto.co.uk/history.aspx | website = Vimto.co.uk | title = History | access-date = 23 March 2018 | archive-date = 9 April 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180409022335/http://www.vimto.co.uk/history.aspx | url-status = live }}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.hatads.org.uk/ | title = The Vimto Archive | website = Hatads.org.uk | access-date = 27 October 2015 | archive-date = 23 May 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200523094628/https://www.hatads.org.uk/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The concoction formula is a guarded [[trade secret]] with only 4 people appointed in keeping the recipe.<ref name="BFM"/>

In 1910, production moved to a warehouse at Chapel Street, [[Salford]], then to [[Old Trafford (area)|Old Trafford]] in 1927, and in 1971, to a state-of-the-art plant in [[Wythenshawe]], Manchester. In 1999, the company's head office moved to [[Newton-le-Willows]] in [[Metropolitan Borough of St Helens|St Helens]], Merseyside.

From the 1990s to 2003, Vimto print advertisements used the cartoon character [[Giles Andreae#Purple Ronnie|Purple Ronnie]], along with slightly rude poems by [[Giles Andreae]], the creator of Purple Ronnie. In 2003, Purple Ronnie was dropped, and a new creative direction was adopted, revolving around the benefits of 'Shlurpling the Purple'. This, in turn, led to the launch in 2006 of Billy and his Dad's Pants–a modern-day [[morality]] story in which, despite turning up at the swimming pool with his Dad's [[Underpants|pants]] in the middle of his rolled-up towel, Billy wins out with ingenuity and humour. The theme tune 'Dad's Pants' become something of a cult classic, and was based on the [[Loudon Wainwright III]] song "[[Dead Skunk]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/everyones-singing-about-dads-pants-1040478|title=Everyone’s singing about dad’s pants|work=[[Manchester Evening News]]|date=10 August 2006|accessdate=8 April 2024}}</ref>

[[File:At Manchester 2018 024.jpg|thumb|Vimto monument on Granby Row at the [[University of Manchester]]|left]]An oak sculpture entitled "A Monument to Vimto" was created by Kerry Morrison and installed on Granby Row–the location of the original Vimto premises–in central Manchester in 1992. The statue was restored and repainted in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/buildings/statues.html |title= Manchester Statues & Monuments |publisher= Papillon Graphics' Virtual Encyclopaedia of Greater Manchester |access-date= 29 May 2009 |archive-date= 12 May 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120512071554/http://manchester2002-uk.com/buildings/statues.html |url-status= usurped }}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2008/08/15/150808_vimto_100_feature.shtml |publisher=[[BBC Manchester]] |title=The centre of a purple world |date=15 August 2008 |access-date=26 May 2009|archive-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219060140/http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2008/08/15/150808_vimto_100_feature.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2021 Vimto introduced a new logo design across the range.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Éilis |date=20 January 2021 |title=Vimto unveils new logo design |url=https://www.talkingretail.com/products-news/soft-drinks/vimto-unveils-new-logo-design-20-01-2021/ |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Talking Retail |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/soft-drinks/vimto-pays-tribute-to-heritage-with-brand-revamp/652299.article#:~:text=The%20new%20look%20maintains%20the,shelf%20standout%E2%80%9D%2C%20said%20Vimto.|title=Vimto pays tribute to heritage with brand revamp|first=Abbie |last=Dawson|work=[[The Grocer]]|date=20 January 2021|accessdate=20 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306001423/https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/soft-drinks/vimto-pays-tribute-to-heritage-with-brand-revamp/652299.article|archive-date=6 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Manufacture==
Vimto is currently produced by [[Refresco]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.refresco.com/en/about-us/our-history/|title=Our history &#124; Refresco|website=Refresco.com|access-date=20 November 2021|archive-date=20 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120192814/https://www.refresco.com/en/about-us/our-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> (formerly Cott Corporation) in both [[Leicestershire]] and [[Yorkshire|Lancashire]] on behalf of Vimto Soft Drinks, a division of [[Nichols plc]].{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} Nichols moved out of manufacturing in 2003 when it closed its final production site in [[Golborne]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wigantoday.net/news/celebrating_a_hundred_years_in_the_life_of_1_186923 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222201508/http://www.wigantoday.net/news/celebrating_a_hundred_years_in_the_life_of_1_186923 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 February 2013 |title=celebrating a hundred years in the life of... |work=Wigan Today |publisher=Johnston Publishing |date=2008-05-29 |access-date=2010-10-02 }}</ref> 

Vimto is also manufactured under licence in [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Yemen]], [[The Gambia]], and [[Ghana]]. A ''[[The Sunday Times|Sunday Times]]'' article in 2007 claimed it to be the most popular drink during the holy month of [[Ramadan]] in some Arab countries.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/vimto-peps-up-ramadan-faithful-hf25f9zvbxc|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times]]|date=14 October 2007|title=Vimto peps up Ramadan faithful|last=Hashash|first=Sara|access-date=2009-08-05 | location=London}}</ref> The drink in its original incarnation is still maintained as a health tonic among West Africans and is marketed as such there.<ref name="BFM">{{cite interview|title=Vimto Makes a Spalsh in Malaysia|url=https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/vimto-makes-a-splash-in-msia|publisher=[[BFM 89.9]]|date=6 Mar 2025|interviewer=Keith Kam|first=Matt|last=Nichols}}</ref>

The drink was also made under licence in the United Kingdom by [[A.G. Barr]] in 1996.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

In 2014, the recipe for Fizzy Vimto was changed to include artificial sweeteners, [[Acesulfame potassium|Acesulfame K]] and [[Sucralose]].{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

[[Ellis Wilkinson Mineral Water Manufacturer|Ellis Wilkinson Mineral Water]] facilitated the production of drinks for Vimto in their early days of trading.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

===Company===
A subsidiary of Nichols plc, Cabana is the distribution arm of the company, and operates via a UK-wide network of distributors that are, in the main, independent. In [[Scotland]] and [[Sussex]], the distributor is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cabana (Scotland–Cariel, and Sussex–Beacon Drinks now closed). 

Vimto is currently available in 65 countries and the number of countries in which it is on sale is growing.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.vimtointernational.com/map/ |title=competitions |access-date=3 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819021229/http://www.vimtointernational.com/map/ |archive-date=19 August 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Variations (UK market) ==
[[File:Vimto - 26131200534.jpg|thumb|Vimto still bottles for sale in 2016]]
[[File:Vimto can.jpg|thumb|Fizzy Vimto can, circa 2011]]
Both a [[squash (drink)|still, dilutable version]] ("Vimto Cordial") and a [[Carbonation|carbonated]] premixed version ("Fizzy Vimto") are available in the UK. While Vimto has its origins in [[Northern England]], it can now be found both nationally and internationally. The cordial version is more widely sold and is available in concentrate and ready-to-drink varieties. The cordial version was widely known for being suitable for [[Veganism|vegans]] until Vimto  added [[vitamin D]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vimto.co.uk/faqs/is-vimto-vegetarian-and-what-about-us-vegans/|url-status=live|title=Is Vimto Suitable For Vegetarians and Vegans?|publisher=Vimto|date=4 February 2023|archive-date=4 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204125014/https://www.vimto.co.uk/faqs/is-vimto-vegetarian-and-what-about-us-vegans/}}</ref> which is derived from sheep's wool,<ref name="Holick05">{{cite journal | vauthors = Holick MF | title = The vitamin D epidemic and its health consequences | journal = The Journal of Nutrition | volume = 135 | issue = 11 | pages = 2739S–2748S | date = November 2005 | pmid = 16251641 | doi = 10.1093/jn/135.11.2739S | url = http://jn.nutrition.org/content/135/11/2739S.full.pdf| doi-access = free}}</ref> in April 2021.

Vimto is also available in a [[Slushy|slush]] variety alongside many other different Vimto confectionery products, such as Vimto bars, lollipops, Rip Rolls, candy sprays, and [[Jelly Babies]].{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Vimto is also available in the form of an energy drink, Vimto Energy, made with natural caffeine and real fruit juice.

Vimto is also available in a summer flavour, containing ingredients such as [[Orange (fruit)|orange]] and [[apple]], both of which are [[squash (drink)|cordial]] products. Vimto was the UK's fastest-growing soft drinks brand by value in 2006 (as measured by [[Nielsen Corporation]]).{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

An alcoholic [[cocktail]] known as the [[Cheeky Vimto]] or "Crazy Vimto" is also drunk in the UK. However, Vimto is not an ingredient of this beverage, and the name comes from its resemblance to the original product; instead, it contains [[Port wine|port]] and [[WKD Original Vodka|Blue WKD]]. There is also a variant of this cocktail called "Dirty Vimto" that replaces the port with [[Buckfast Tonic Wine]].{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}
[[File:Vimto chewy sweets.jpg|left|thumb|Vimto flavoured chewy sweets]]
Vimto is also often made as a hot beverage by simply adding boiling water to the concentrate,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.talkingretail.com/products-news/grocery/vimto-goes-hot-17-09-2012/|title=Vimto goes hot!|website=Talkingretail.com|date=17 September 2012|access-date=16 February 2020|archive-date=16 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216211617/https://www.talkingretail.com/products-news/grocery/vimto-goes-hot-17-09-2012/|url-status=live}}</ref> and is popular in this form throughout the north of England. Vimto is often made with hot water, especially during the winter months. It is also taken to sporting events in vacuum flasks by spectators as a warming drink to fend off the winter chill.

Various alternate-flavoured variants of Vimto were introduced over the years; cherry- and strawberry-flavoured variants, known as "Cherry Vimto" and "Strawberry Vimto", have become part of the range. In 2016, a new variant, "Vimto Remix", was introduced. This range consists of various alternate flavour mixes that were introduced each year – mango, strawberry and pineapple in 2016, raspberry, orange, and passionfruit in 2017, watermelon, strawberry, and peach in 2018 and strawberry, orange and lime in 2019. The "Remix" name was eventually dropped after the drink was rebranded in 2021, while new flavour mixes continue to be introduced.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Homemade variations include a Vimto Milkshake made by adding milk instead of water to the cordial, and a Vimto Milkshake Special involving the same with vanilla ice-cream added.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

In June 2023, Vimto launched an [[energy drink]], called Vimto Energy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-02 |title=Vimto Energy |url=https://www.vimto.co.uk/vimto-range/product/vimto-energy/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Vimto |language=en-GB}}</ref> It is currently available as a normal version with sugar and a sugar free (zero) version.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vimto Energy Drinks |url=https://www.vimto.co.uk/vimto-range/energy/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Vimto |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Foreign markets==
[[File:Vimto UAE.jpg|thumb|Glass bottles of Vimto for sale in the UAE]]
In the [[Arabian Peninsula]], Vimto ({{Langx|ar|ڤيمتو}}) has had over 80 years of dominance as the beverage of choice for the [[iftar]] or sunset feast during the [[Islam]]ic holy fasting month of [[Ramadan]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-12 |title=Why do people drink Vimto at Ramadan? {{!}} Esquire Middle East – The Region’s Best Men’s Magazine |url=https://www.esquireme.com/culture/why-arabs-drink-vimto-ramadan-iftar-facts |access-date=2025-03-10 |language=en-US}}</ref> As of 2013, Aujan, the local bottler in Saudi Arabia, has been producing over 20 million bottles per year for the [[Gulf Cooperation Council|GCC]] market.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-23455612| work=BBC Magazine| location=London| title=Vimto hits purple patch in the Gulf| first=Simon| last=Atkinson| date=2013-07-26| access-date=2016-02-23| archive-date=26 January 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126013411/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-23455612| url-status=live}}</ref>
An article in ''The Sunday Times'' mentioned some 15 million bottles were sold during the one-month season in 2007.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/article73467.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625102621/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/article73467.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=25 June 2016 | newspaper=[[The Times]] | location=London | title=Vimto peps up Ramadan faithful | first=Sara | last=Hashash | date=2007-10-14 | access-date=2016-06-19}}</ref>[[File:Vimto.jpg|thumb|alt=a bottle of Vimto with a straw placed on a table near a swimming pool on a sunny day|A bottled Vimto produced locally for the Gambian market|left|400x400px]]In Saudi Arabia, Vimto is manufactured under licence by the Aujan Industrial Company and has a 90% market share in the cordial concentrated drinks market.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ameinfo.com/|title=AME Info: Middle East & Gulf News|website=Ameinfo.com|access-date=20 November 2021|archive-date=20 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120000950/https://www.ameinfo.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> Every year, the company launches aggressive marketing campaigns on [[List of Arabic-language television channels|Arab satellite TV channels]] that in recent years have become very popular, and achieved cult status with [[viral marketing]] videos exchanged on the Internet.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Vimto was introduced in [[India]] in 1924 during the colonial period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vimto's Heritage {{!}} Our Journey Since 1908 So Far |url=https://www.vimto.co.uk/our-heritage/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Vimto |language=en-GB}}</ref> Vimto was introduced to [[The Gambia]] and [[Senegal]] in the 1980s, where it remains popular.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220818010011/http://www.vimtotrade.co.uk/content/files/100facts.pdf] </ref>

In 2011, Vimto once again became widely available throughout the [[Republic of Ireland]], through [[Tesco]] and the local version of [[Iceland (supermarket)|Iceland]] shops.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

In [[Pakistan]], Vimto is produced under licence by Mehran Bottlers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-10|title=Mehran Bottlers Ltd: A taste of Pakistan|url=https://www.littlegatepublishing.com/2019/05/mehran_bottlers/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510090346/http://www.littlegatepublishing.com/2019/05/mehran_bottlers/|archive-date=2019-05-10|access-date=2022-01-15|website=Littlegate Publishing|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In [[Nepal]], Vimto is manufactured under licence by Himganga Beverage Pvt Ltd.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

In [[Cyprus]], Vimto is manufactured under license by Kean. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Vimto - Kean |url=https://kean.com.cy/kean-drink-products-el/vimto/?lang=el}}</ref>

In Ghana, Vimto is manufactured under licence by Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana Ltd.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201306251671.html|title=Ghana: Coca-Cola Launches Vimto Soft Drink in Kumasi|website=Allafrica.com|access-date=20 November 2021|archive-date=10 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810100206/http://allafrica.com/stories/201306251671.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

It officially broke into the [[Malaysia]]n market in 2024; though Malaysian consumers have already been acquainted with the brand years prior through the Middle Eastern version in specialty stores (''kedai Arab''<!--local name for these stores-->) unofficially provided by AM Avenue Trading, also a local distributor of [[Barbican (drink)|Barbican]].<ref name="BFM"/>

{{-}}

== Logos ==
<gallery>
File:Vimto quotes vintage logo.jpg|A variant of the vintage Vimto logo that was used earlier in the 20th century
File:Vimto vintage logo.png|Vintage Vimto logo that was used until the 1980s
File:Vimtologo.png|Older Vimto logo until 2014 (in Britain)
File:Vimto logo.svg|Current logo since 2021 (in Britain)
File:Vimto Arabic logo.png|Current Vimto logo for the Arab market
File:Vimto Can.jpg|Old style Vimto logo still produced on some products internationally
</gallery>
== 2024 product recall ==
On 5 April 2024, [[Nichols plc]] recalled 500ml bottles of Vimto due to a packaging error.

The bottle stated there was no added sugar, but the bottle contains sugar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Product Recall Notice - Vimto |url=https://www.vimto.co.uk/product-recall-notice-vimto-original-500ml/ }}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|England|Drink}}
* [[Ribena]]
* [[Sosyo]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.vimto.co.uk Vimto UK web site]
* [https://www.vimto.com Vimto international web site]
* [http://www.bsf.org.uk/arc_2003.html#VS03 British Society of Flavourists lecture about Vimto]{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060621071824/https://www.bsf.org.uk/arc_2003.html#VS03 |date=2006-06-21 }}

[[Category:1908 establishments in England]]
[[Category:British soft drink brands]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1908]]
[[Category:Soft drinks]]
[[Category:Energy drinks]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Manchester]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Manchester]]