Our History

Vimto has been doing things differently since 1908. And since then, our deliciously refreshing taste has been quenching thirsts in over 60 countries worldwide. Take a look at how it all started and what we’ve been up to along the way.

1883

John Noel Nichols

Starting out as a health tonic made to give people ‘Vim & Vigour’, it was first called ‘Vimtonic’. This new drink was one of a number of products John delivered to shops, cafes and temperance bars. The unique blend of herbs and spices that contribute to the distinctive taste were sourced from around the world. It was in 1912 that it became known as ‘Vimto’. There are only a few people in the world who know the secret recipe today!

Vimto is born

Well, not quite as we know it today! It started as ‘Vimtonic’ — a herbal tonic made to give people ‘Vim & Vigour’. This new tonic drink was one of a number of products John delivered to small outlets, cafes and temperance bars. The unique blend of herbs and spices that contribute to the distinctive taste were sourced from around the world. Later, it became known as ‘Vimto’, and there are only a very small number of people in the world who know the secret recipe today!

Moving day

As the love for the brand continued to grow, the factory and wholesale warehouse in Granby Row in central Manchester became too small. Vimto packed its bags and moved to Chapel Street in nearby Salford.

Vimto’s first holiday

The first place abroad where the Vimto trademark was registered was in British Guiana (now Guyana) and so the company’s International division began. This was soon followed by it being bottled in India, where it was initially embraced by the troops from the North West Regiments who were posted there. It soon became very popular more widely throughout the region.

Introducing Fizzy Vimto and a new label

The same unmistakable Vimto taste sensation but now bursting with bubbles in a bottle became available. Vimto was going from strength to strength and now could be enjoyed when out and about or playing sports.

Exporting internationally

After John’s friend, Richard Goodsir, took a few Vimto bottles to India for the local bottling firm to sample, the British Troops from the North West Regiments immediately welcomed the taste as a memory of home! But it wasn’t just the British Troops who welcomed Vimto into India, as it quickly became a local favourite and went on to become the first international country to receive Vimto concentrate for local production!

A global taste sensation

Vimto was fast becoming a global taste sensation being available in over thirty countries! From Peru to Albania and Liberia. In the Middle East the popularity of Vimto was spreading into the Arab States such as Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi! Vimto’s refreshingly different taste was now being enjoyed worldwide!

Who said ads had to be serious?

To connect with the young and the glamorous, Vimto in it’s unique style made cheeky ads. Although advertising was restricted during this time, small newspaper adverts for Vimto appeared regularly throughout the war, as well as humorous Vimto showcards, created by the renowned cartoonist Herbert Stanley Terry!

Look mum, I’m on TV!

Vimto had always been advertised in cinemas using slides but in 1956, it appeared on TV for the first time using film and sound. Back then TV adverts were only in black and white and were quite simple. However, the message of the thirst-quenching qualities for everyone, still came across.

A super new look

It was time for a Vimto revamp in both packaging and style. It was put in cans for the first time and red, white and blue became the new colours making it a brand that is proud to be British.

The USA

Over the pond we go, Vimto has made it to America! Vimto is now sold in over 3,000 ethnic outlets across North America, particularly loved by people who have moved there from Africa and the  Middle East.

Moving on up

Further brand growth meant relocating again to an even larger premise in the form of a new factory in Wythenshawe, South Manchester, where in 1993, a new Vimto bottling line was installed.

Max the mascot

In addition to the British heritage colours of red, white and blue on our products, Max the British Bulldog also became part of our branding. A real bulldog even appeared in a few TV adverts, where he was the star of the show.

Vimto – but diet!

Diet Vimto was introduced for the first time and promoted by the Roly Polys dance act in an award-winning TV advert. The humour of seaside postcards was also invoked.

A feature for life

The Monument to Vimto was unveiled behind the University of Manchester in Granby Row to celebrate our Manchester roots. The sculpture, made from a stained oak tree, depicts a bottle of Vimto surrounded by some of the fruits and spices used in its production. It was created using a chain saw by the sculptor, Kerry Morrison.

Purple Ronnie!

We ramp up Vimto’s personality and cheekiness with Purple Ronnie, our famous spokesperson. He became synonymous with the brand and featured on the packaging and adverts for 7 years across the whole range, putting a smile on the faces of all our customers.

DISCO? VIMTO!

Matt Lucas gifts our ears with a Vimto version of the famous DISCO song for our newest advert. V-I-M-T-O …catchy or what? We can hear you singing it to yourselves now.

Dad’s pants!

A cheeky advert involving some giant pants graced our TV screens, and once again captures the nation’s hearts and minds. The catchy tune could often be heard across the school playgrounds of the UK.

100 years!

We celebrated our 100th birthday! What a better way to celebrate a century than the launch of an old-fashioned bottle of and a contemporary Vimto Cluedo board game.

A cheeky bunch

Appealing to our younger audience, our characters get even bolder, with the launch of the ‘Seriously Mixed Up Fruit’ marketing campaign. Who knew fruit could be so much fun?

A new croaksperson

Vimto is back on TV with a new frontman – the Vimtoad. Voiced by stand-up comedian Justin Moorhouse, the ad sees the Vimtoad leap into a shopper’s trolley, sticking out his tongue, before she agrees to try a glass of Vimto. Such a loveable rogue our Vimtoad.

Chilled out

New frozen Vimto launches for the first time, delivering the ultimate taste experience. It doesn’t get more refreshing(ly) different than this!

Water with a twist

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Vimto expands into water with new Vim2o (see what we did there – clever, hey!) .

I See Vimto in You

Vimto breaks new ground with a multiple award winning, anti-advertising campaign. Afterall, we are renowned for doing things differently, so why not an advertising first too? Come on let us know, did YOU close your eyes?

Our iconic new look

Vimto reveal’s it’s new iconic design across the whole range. This bold new design retains all of the brand’s personality and heritage, whilst still being refreshingly different and unmistakably Vimto!

Find Your Different

As the refreshingly different soft drink, we believe the world is better with more different in it, so through the launch of our new marketing campaign ‘Find Your Different’, we celebrate difference. We say it doesn’t matter if you don’t know what your thing is yet, the journey of discovery is all part of the fun. So give everything a go and Find Your Different.

A first for Vimto

2023 sees the launch of not only THE only energy drink that’s refreshingly different and unmistakably Vimto. Vimto Energy.

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