Vimto

Vimto is a British mixed fruit soft drink containing the juice of grapes, raspberries, blackcurrants, and black carrots flavoured with herbs and spices. Originating in Manchester, Northern England, the recipe was invented in 1908 by John Noel Nichols of Blackburn. It was first manufactured as a health tonic in cordial form, then decades later as a 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 sweet, ice lolly and other items. Vimto is traditionally most popular in the north of England and is also sold globally under licence, and enjoys high popularity in the Gulf Arab states and in The Gambia and Senegal.

== History == Vimto was created in 1908 in Manchester by John Noel Nichols (1883–1966), a wholesaler of herbs, spices and medicines. He saw the market opening for soft drinks due to the temperance movement and the passage of the Licensing Act 1904. It was originally sold under the name Vim Tonic ( 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 cordial. The concoction formula is a guarded trade secret with only 4 people appointed in keeping the recipe.