The Chapman drink, also just called Chapman, is Nigeria's favorite mocktail made with fizzy fruity flavors! Let me teach you how to make a round of this iconic West African beverage for you and your friends in just a few minutes.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my zobo drink recipe, too!
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What is Chapman drink?
Nigerian hotelier, Samuel Alamutu first created the Chapman soft drink at home for his wife before serving it at the Ikoyi Club on Lagos Island in the 1960s. With the modern-day nation being birthed in 60s, Chapman is closely associated with Nigeria's history as an established and independent country.
Growing up as a third culture kid in Houston, Texas, I didn't know anything about Chapman. But when I visited Lagos as an adult, my cousin, Bimbo, put me onto it along with a variety of Nigerian small chops.
❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Quick and Easy - You only need five minutes to mix up this simple Chapman cocktail drink at home. No fancy tools or techniques necessary!
Bubbly and Refreshing - You'll taste bright citrus and deep berry notes lightened up with effervescence and made a bit more complex by bitters--so it's filled with flavor but not too sweet.
There is no shortage of flavorful food and drink recipes in Nigerian cuisine and I have a few family favorites you should check out next: authentic jollof rice, seafood okro soup, soaked garri cereal, tiger nut milk (kunu aya), and Agege bread!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Sprite and Fanta (bottle or can) for the most authentic vibes or the lemon-lime and orange flavored sodas of your choosing. You can even use prebiotic orange soda and prebiotic lemon-lime soda!
Grenadine Syrup or Berry Cordial is part of the original Chapman drink ingredients but I like to use blackcurrant juice (Ribena) or hibiscus syrup. Use whichever you prefer.
Citrus Fruits like lemon, lime, and orange for garnish. These are optional but highly encouraged!
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Angostura Bitters are part of the traditional Chapman preparation but technically contain a very tiny amount of alcohol content so if you want to avoid that, try alcohol-free aromatic bitters instead or just make it without.
Soda Flavors - Although the origin story for this recipe include orange and lemon lime sodas, there are DIY variations that use ginger ale and other options--make it you own!
Spike with Liquor - You can make Chapman with alcohol if you want. I recommend gin, rum or vodka.
Garnishes - Fresh mint and cucumber are also common Chapman garnish ideas and you can add them along with the citrus fruit or instead or do something else entirely.
How to Make Chapman Drink at Home
- Step 1: Pour the orange soda, lemon lime soda, black currant juice, and bitters into a vessel.
- Step 2: Stir until combined then serve!
Pro Tip #1
Make sure all of your ingredients (except for the bitters) are chilled for the best taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because this drink is so quick to make and relies on carbonated ingredients, I don't recommend making it in advance or else it will go flat.
How to Serve
Serving a drink to a Nigerian person without ice is a no-no. This Chapman mocktail is best enjoyed ice cold, which is why I recommend using chilled ingredients and piling your glass with ice cubes.
Garnish with cucumber slices and citrus fruit, fresh mint, and whatever else you want to add for full presentation points. And a dimpled stein mug is the traditional glass for the Chapman. Don't forget a straw!
For restaurant or lounge vibes at home, serve Chapman with small chops like dodo, puff puff, and shrimp suya.
More Favorite Nigerian Drink Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
I hope you'll enjoy this Nigerian Chapman drink recipe soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Nigerian Chapman Drink
Equipment
- 1 knife
- 1 carafe or pitcher
- 1 dimpled stein mug optional
Ingredients
- 12 ounces orange soda
- 12 ounces lemon lime soda
- 8 ounces blackcurrant juice
- 2 ounces lime juice
- 3 teaspoons angostura bitters
- ice
- 1 cucumber optional garnish
- 1 lemon optional garnish
- fresh mint optional garnish
Instructions
- Slice cucumber and lemon then set aside.
- Add orange soda, lemon-lime soda, blackcurrant juice, lime juice, and bitters to carafe and stir until combined.
- Pour liquid into mug filled with ice then garnish with a slice each of cucumber and lemon plus a sprig of mint and serve.
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