Quick facts
| Founded | 1908 by John Noel Nichols in Manchester |
|---|---|
| Country | UK (Manchester) |
| Made by | Nichols plc (still independent, still UK family-owned) |
| Dietary status | Vegan-suitable (most products); halal-certified cordial in some markets; check pack |
About Vimto
Vimto was created in 1908 in Manchester by John Noel Nichols as "Vim Tonic", originally marketed as a herbal health tonic with a recipe combining grape, raspberry and blackcurrant juices plus 23 spices and herbs. The name was shortened to Vimto in 1912. Nichols plc remains a UK-listed independent business and the Vimto recipe has stayed substantially unchanged for over a century. The brand has particularly strong cultural penetration in the Middle East, where Vimto cordial is associated with Ramadan iftar traditions across much of the region. The confectionery range licenses the Vimto flavour profile to various manufacturers including Swizzels, who make the Vimto chew bars.
The Vimto range we stock
Six Vimto products covering the confectionery range and the original cordial.
| Product | Profile |
|---|---|
| Vimto Bonbons 165g | Chewy bonbon sweets dusted in icing sugar. The Vimto fruit-and-spice flavour throughout |
| Vimto Fizzy Bottles 130g | Sour-coated bottle-shape gummies in Vimto flavour |
| Vimto Chew Bars (multipack) | Soft chewy Vimto-flavoured bars in single-bar format. Made by Swizzels under licence |
| Vimto Original Cordial 725ml | The classic concentrated cordial. Dilute with water for the original drink |
| Vimto Remix Cordial 725ml | Mixed-fruit reformulation with strawberry, raspberry and orange notes added |
| Vimto Lollies 4-pack | Ice lollies in Vimto flavour for summer occasions |
Ingredients and allergens
Standard Vimto Bonbons contain sugar, glucose syrup, palm oil, modified maize starch, water, gelling agent (pectin), acids (citric acid, malic acid), flavourings, and fruit concentrates (grape, raspberry, blackcurrant). Most Vimto confectionery products are gelatine-free and vegan-suitable, though some variants contain dairy in the chewy bar versions. Vimto cordial is vegan-suitable and the Middle East market versions are formally halal certified. The recipe contains no nuts or wheat as direct ingredients but may be produced in facilities that handle these. Always check the back of each individual pack for the most accurate allergen and dietary information.
Who Vimto is for
British heritage soft drink fans: Vimto is one of the longest-running British soft drink brands still under family ownership. The flavour profile is genuinely distinctive (not a Coca-Cola or lemonade derivative) and has its own dedicated fanbase that spans generations.
Ramadan and Middle East cultural shoppers: Vimto cordial is the traditional iftar drink across much of the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Yemen and Bahrain. Demand spikes during Ramadan.
Pick-and-mix sweet shoppers: the bonbons and fizzy bottles work well in mixed sweet selections. Pair with our wider retro sweets range for varied British sweet selections.
Cordial drinkers: the original Vimto cordial dilutes economically and has a long shelf life, making it cost-effective for households that drink squash regularly. The Remix variant offers a sweeter, more accessible profile for shoppers who find the original too herbal.
Buy Vimto online in the UK
Build your basket from across the Vimto range and our wider drinks and retro sweets selections to qualify for free UK delivery over £20. Vimto pairs especially well with our other British heritage sweet brands. Order before our daily cut-off for same-day dispatch.
Vimto: frequently asked questions
What flavour is Vimto?
Vimto's distinctive flavour combines grape, raspberry and blackcurrant fruit juices with a proprietary blend of 23 spices and herbs. The result is a complex fruit-and-spice profile that doesn't map cleanly onto any single fruit, which is part of why the brand has been so hard for competitors to replicate. The exact 23-spice blend has remained a closely-guarded trade secret since the 1908 launch.
Is Vimto halal?
Vimto Cordial is formally halal certified in Middle East markets and the recipe contains no alcohol or pork-derived ingredients. The cordial sold in the UK uses the same recipe as the Middle East halal-certified version, though the formal certification mark may not appear on UK packaging. Vimto Bonbons and other confectionery items vary in certification status, so always check the back of the specific pack for halal certification before purchase.
Is Vimto vegan?
Vimto Cordial is vegan-suitable. The bonbons and fizzy bottles are also typically vegan-suitable, using pectin or modified starch for texture rather than gelatine. The chewy bars contain some dairy-derived ingredients in certain formulations so are not always vegan. Always check the back of the specific pack you're buying since formulations can vary between manufacturers (Swizzels, Cadbury and others have licensed the Vimto brand for different products over the years).
Why is Vimto so popular in the Middle East?
Vimto has been exported to the Middle East since the 1920s and developed deep cultural roots, particularly as the traditional drink for breaking the daily fast during Ramadan (iftar). Saudi Arabia is one of the largest Vimto markets globally and the brand is heavily associated with Ramadan family gatherings. The non-alcoholic, halal-friendly nature of the drink combined with the distinctive fruit-and-spice flavour made it a strong cultural fit. Demand peaks dramatically during Ramadan each year.