Drinks guide · Yado Market
Vimto is the purple fruit drink created in Manchester in 1908 and now sold in about 65 countries, from Ghana and Senegal to Saudi Arabia, where it is the classic Ramadan drink.1,2 Here's what Vimto is, what it tastes like, cordial vs sparkling, how to mix it and where to buy Vimto in Chicago.
Quick answer: what is Vimto?
At a glance
- Price6 cans $8.99 · cordial $14.99
- Sizes6 x 11.2 oz cans · cordial bottle
- FlavorGrape, raspberry, blackcurrant + spices
- ServeIce cold, or cordial mixed with water
- Get itPickup at 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or U.S. shipping
The story
What Is Vimto?
Vimto is a purple fruit drink made with grape, raspberry and blackcurrant juices plus a secret mix of herbs and spices.1 John Noel Nichols, a Manchester wholesaler of herbs and spices, created it in 1908 and first sold it as "Vim Tonic". The name was shortened to Vimto in 1912.1,2
It started as a tonic sold in temperance bars, places that served soft drinks instead of alcohol,2 and became a cordial in 1913.1 Today it is sold in about 65 countries as a cordial (a syrup you mix with water), a still drink and a fizzy drink.1
Vimto is loved far beyond England. It reached the Gulf in 19282, it is made under licence in Ghana, and it has been popular in The Gambia and Senegal since the 1980s.1 That's why our customers from West Africa, the Caribbean, East Africa and the Middle East all ask for it.
Taste
What Does Vimto Taste Like?
Vimto tastes like dark berries and grape, sweet and a little tart, with a warm, spiced finish from the herbs and spices that set it apart from plain grape soda.1 The sparkling version is lighter and fizzy; the cordial is richer, and you choose how strong to make it.
No caffeine and no alcohol: Vimto was first sold as a drink without either.2 Fruit drinks are usually caffeine-free, unlike colas.3 Recipes differ by country (the UK fizzy version added sweeteners in 20141), so read the label on the pack you buy.
Compare
Vimto Cordial vs Vimto Sparkling
A concentrate: add water (still or sparkling) and ice. One bottle makes many glasses, and you pick the strength.
Best for: Ramadan iftar, big jugs, punches, families
Shop cordial · $14.99 →Six 11.2 oz cans of fizzy Vimto. Open, pour over ice, done.
Best for: lunch boxes, parties, a quick cold drink
Shop 6-pack · $8.99 →| Cordial | Sparkling cans | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Concentrated syrup | Ready-to-drink fizzy drink |
| How to serve | Dilute with water as the label says | Chill and pour |
| Fizz | Only if you mix it with sparkling water | Yes |
| Price at Yado | $14.99 a bottle | $8.99 for 6 cans (about $1.50 a can) |
| Best for | Iftar jugs, punch, mocktails | Grab-and-go, parties |
Shop the guide
Buy Vimto at Yado Market
Pick up at 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or order for U.S. shipping. Stocking up for Ramadan or a party? Add cocktail de fruits, zobo leaves and rose water.
How to
How to Make Vimto Cordial
- Read the label: it gives the ratio of cordial to water for that bottle.
- Pour the cordial into a glass or jug first.
- Top up with cold still water, or sparkling water for a fizzy drink.
- Stir, taste, and add a little more cordial or water until it's how you like it.
- Add plenty of ice. Keep the opened bottle as the label says (usually in a cool place or the fridge).
Tip for big jugs
Mix a test glass first, note how much cordial you used, then scale up for the jug so every glass tastes the same.
Ramadan
Why Vimto Is a Ramadan Favorite
Vimto reached the Arabian Peninsula in 1928, brought by Saudi traders who found it in India.2 Over the decades it became the drink for breaking the fast: dates and water first, then a cold glass of Vimto at the iftar table.2 About 35 million bottles are sold each year in the Gulf states,2 and some shops limit how many bottles a customer can buy during Ramadan.2
Muslim families in Chicago from Senegal, The Gambia, Somalia, Nigeria and the Gulf keep that habit. We stock up on the cordial before Ramadan each year, so come early.
Vimto iftar cooler
- Vimto cordial (as the label says for about 2 liters)
- 1.5 liters cold water and 500 ml sparkling water
- 1 lemon, sliced, and a handful of mint
- A few drops of rose water (optional)
- Plenty of ice
- Mix the cordial with the still water in a large jug.
- Add lemon, mint and rose water.
- Just before iftar, add ice and the sparkling water.
- Serve after dates and water.
Ideas
5 More Ways to Enjoy Vimto
Nutrition
What Is in a Can of Vimto?
Vimto is a fruit-flavored soft drink made with grape, raspberry and blackcurrant juice. The maker lists the original sparkling Vimto at about 18 calories per 100 ml, so one 330 ml can is about 59 calories.4
The cordial is much stronger, so its numbers depend on how much water you add. Recipes change by country: check the label on your can or bottle for exact numbers.
Where to Buy Vimto Near Me in Chicago
Get Vimto cordial and Vimto sparkling cans at Yado African & Caribbean Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, IL. Order online for pickup, or have it shipped anywhere in the U.S.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What flavor is Vimto?
A mix of grape, raspberry and blackcurrant with herbs and spices.1
Where is Vimto from?
Manchester, England, where John Noel Nichols created it in 1908.1
Does Vimto have caffeine?
Vimto was first sold as a drink without caffeine or alcohol.2 Check the label of the pack you buy.
Is Vimto halal?
Vimto contains no alcohol and is a favorite drink for Ramadan iftar.2 For halal certification, check the logo on the bottle or can you buy.
How do you make Vimto cordial?
Dilute it with cold still or sparkling water as the label says, stir, taste and add ice.
Why do people drink Vimto in Ramadan?
It has been part of iftar in the Gulf for decades: dates and water first, then Vimto.1,2
Can you drink Vimto hot?
Yes. Mix the cordial with hot water instead of cold.
Where can I buy Vimto near me in Chicago?
At Yado African & Caribbean Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or online with U.S. shipping.
Sources
- Vimto, Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org
- Vimto in Ramadan, Atlas Obscura. www.atlasobscura.com
- Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more, Mayo Clinic. www.mayoclinic.org
- Vimto Original Fizzy, product page and nutrition, Nichols plc (Vimto). www.vimto.co.uk
