Have you ever wondered about the origins of the famous drink VIMTO? Or how long has it been around?

It all started exactly a hundred years ago in 1908 in Manchester, England.  At the age of 24, Noel Nichols started a small business by selling herbs and medicines to shops. You may wonder what does medicine have to do with VIMTO? Don’t be surprised when you know that it started out as a medicine. Nichols invented a combination of three fruit juices: grape, black currant and raspberry – along with a mysterious blend of 23 fruit essences, herbs and spices and called it “Vim Tonic”. It was to be a medicine or tonic that gives you “vim” which means “power” or “energy”.

Later on, it became known as “Vimto” as we call it nowadays and was registered as a trademark in 1912. Surely enough, it gained popularity at such a fast rate and became known overseas.  It was first introduced overseas in India in the early 1920’s when a friend of Nichols, Richard Goodsir, took a few samples with him and in 1924, it was registered as a trademark in India. Vimto’s popularity didn’t stop there, but spread out to Burma, and Sri Lanka. After India, Vimto reached the Middle East through Indian clerks who found employment there. An Indian employee introduced Vimto to the Abdullah Aujan and Brothers firm and in 1928 large quantities were being exported to them for distribution.

Soon enough, Vimto spread in all the Gulf countries, including Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and UAE. It also gained popularity in Pakistan due to its non-alcoholic nature.  By 1930, Vimto was known in over 30 foreign countries, from Peru to Albania and Liberia. By 1960, loads of Vimto were being transported particularly to the Middle East to the new ports in Kuwait.  It was especially preferred there during Ramadan because of its restorative effect after fasting.

In 1975, Vimto was produced as a canned carbonated drink in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. Vimto found its way to America moreover gained a huge popularity since it is caffeine-free, contains Vitamin C and is low in calories. Later on, Vimto was introduced in Gambia and Senegal in Africa where it was well received and enjoyed as well.  Vimto reached Australia in the early 90’s and continued its trip as it travelled to more African countries.  As Vimto reached its 100^th birthday this year, it continues to grow and introduce more new products by adding apple, orange, lemon and other flavors to its drinks and is still popular as ever here in Saudi Arabia where it is considered a favorite drink during Ramadan. You can visit www.Vimto.co.uk to learn about shlurpling Vimto which is a fun way of drinking it.