Vimto

Made by: Nichols plc (under licence)

Origin: UK








Vimto is a fruit flavoured soft drink that originated in Manchester in 1908. It was formulated by a spice and medicine merchant under the name of 'Vim Tonic', and sold as a health tonic.

Sparkling Vimto is an intense crimson red colour, clear and bright. There is a purple hue that develops towards the rim of the glass.

The nose is aromatic and laden with fruit syrups (strawberry, cherry and blackcurrant). These are smothered in a rich vanilla essence (think of cream soda), and there is a suggestion of Parma Violet sweets. An odd note catches briefly in the throat, not unlike ammonia.

The light, sweet flavours on the palate are broadly consistent with the nose: Red and black fruit syrups, vanilla cream and Parma Violets again. Vimto has a short, sweet finish that echoes of vanilla in the aftertaste.

Packaging claims: Mixed fruit juice drink made with the delicious secret Vimto flavour, a tantalising mix of secret herbs and spices, for the most amazing taste experience you'll ever have

Ingredients: Carbonated water, sucrose, mixed fruit juices from concentrate 3% (grape, blackberry, raspberry), Vimto flavour (including natural extracts of fruits, herbs, barley malt and spices), citric acid, colour (anthocyanins), preservatives (potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, antioxidant (ascorbic acid)

Price: Should be about £0.70-£0.80 for a 330ml can, widely available

Sabor Tropical

Made by: Baloru SA (under licence)

Origin: Ecuador

Imported into the UK: (tbc- sample bought in Spain)





This sparkling drink from Ecuador is a vibrant pink colour. It is clear and bright, and there is a purple hue that develops towards the rim of the glass.

The nose brings together an unusual combination of aromas: Parma Violet sweets and cream soda (a blend of strawberry syrup and vanilla essence). The combined effect is uncannily familiar: Vimto, along with cherry-flavoured 'Tunes' cough sweets.

There is undoubted sweet-toothed appeal on the palate, where candied flavours of cream soda and bubblegum provide the entertainment. A blackcurrant note (think of dilute Ribena) finds its way in there, before the drink ends in a short, sweet finish.

Packaging claims: Flavour of Ecuador, pure National flavour, the original since 1952, carbonated soft drink with extracts

Ingredients: Water, sugar, citric acid (E330), preservative: Sodium benzoate (E211), flavours 0.21% (tropical and strawberry), colour (E129)

Price: Should be about €0.80/ £0.70 for a 330ml can. Availability in the UK tbc

Cecil Mixed Fruit Drink

Made by: CBL Fruits & Beverages (Pvt) Ltd

Origin: Sri Lanka

Imported into the UK: Serendib Global Foods UK




This fruit juice drink's pale burnt-orange colour fades to a yellow rim in the glass, and it contains a fine sediment of pureed fruit in suspension. The nose is dominated by a rich, heady, sweet aroma of tinned pineapples in syrup, with ripe mango in support and masking a dusty, warm background (think of a wooden chopping board).

On the palate sweet, lazy flavours of tinned fruit cocktail take over, followed by pineapple rings, and leaving behind a milky sweet, almost cloying sensation on the short finish. The fruit puree adds a slight texture in the mouth.

[Difficult to say what the bevvy of 'E numbers' added to this drink's note, however they didn't go unnoticed!]

Packaging claims: None

Ingredients: Water, sugar, pineapple juice, mango juice, paw paw juice, E466, E330, E223, E012, E122, E124

Price: Should be about £0.90 for a 190ml glass bottle, from specialist retailers

Elephant Necto

Made by: Ceylon Cold Stores Ltd

Origin: Sri Lanka

Imported into the UK by: Universal Suppliers Ltd





Elephant Necto is a pale red, gently carbonated drink with a vibrant purple hue. Nosing this there is a pleasant, sweet aroma of blackcurrants, strawberries, a waft of fairground candy floss and the powdery scent of an effervescent drink tablet.

The palate follows on with attractive flavours of blackcurrant fool, strawberry, whipped cream and vanilla (think of a cream soda). There is an almost cordial or syrup-like quality to the fruit, but the drink remains light and fresh to taste, with the finish falling firmly on the sweeter side without being cloying.

Packaging claims: None

Ingredients: Carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, essence Necto, preservatives E211, colours E214, E122, E133

Price: Should be about £0.60 for a 325ml can, from specialist retailers