The Chapman drink, often hailed as Nigeria’s favorite non-alcoholic cocktail, is a vibrant and refreshing beverage traditionally made with a blend of orange soda (such as Fanta), lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7-Up), grenadine syrup or blackcurrant concentrate, a few dashes of Angostura bitters, and garnished with slices of citrus fruits and cucumber. This concoction results in a sweet, tangy, and effervescent drink that is both visually appealing and thirst-quenching.
The origins of the Chapman drink trace back to the Ikoyi Club in Lagos, Nigeria, where it is believed to have been created by a bartender for a favored patron named Chapman. Over time, this delightful mocktail has become a staple at Nigerian gatherings, enjoyed by many for its unique flavor and refreshing qualities.
To prepare a Chapman drink at home, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 liter chilled sparkling orange juice
- 1 liter chilled sparkling lemonade
- 1 liter chilled sparkling limeade
- 0.25 liter chilled blackcurrant juice concentrate
- A couple of dashes of Angostura bitters (about 3 tablespoons)
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
- 1 grapefruit, sliced into rounds
- Half a cucumber, sliced into rounds
Instructions:
- In a large jug, combine the blackcurrant juice concentrate, sparkling orange juice, sparkling lemonade, and sparkling limeade.
- Add the dashes of Angostura bitters to the mixture.
- Gently stir in the sliced fruits and cucumber.
- Serve the drink over ice in tall glasses, ensuring each glass receives some of the fruit slices for garnish.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you’ll love my zobo drink recipe, too!
