Growing up in Nigeria, I always heard of Chapman. Apart from Zobo, Chapman is a popular drink amongst Nigerians. I had never tasted it as a child until one day I tried it at a friend’s birthday party and I fell totally in love with it. Over the years I have tried this drink and so far so good this recipe is my favorite. I remember the day I made chap man for the very first time, I used the wrong kind of bitters, oh my goodness it was awful. I think I used orange bitters or something like that; oh Chimo, I kept asking myself why the bitter orangy taste? 🙁 until I went through my ingredients only to discover that it was my mistake from using orange bitters. As in who does that? 🙂 But with cooking, one learns through mistakes innit? 🙂
The day I made this drink, I made a liter full and my ajebutters drank it all. One of the things I would love to have once again when I visit Nigeria is Chapman. I don’t think any visit is complete without it. On making my version of chapman, I added some vodka and lemon juice to my glass for a twist that was to die for.
One very fond time for Chapman is Christmas time. I do not think there is any Christmas without this drink. On one particular Nigerian Christmas at our house, my dad bought a crate of “mineral” Nigerian slang for soft drinks and in the crate was Fanta Chapman which does bear a similar resemblance to the regular one; hand made in a glass. During those times, the Fanta Chapman was always my favorite. I would drink it until my stomach would go sour and start hurting 🙂 I used to think they were the same drink; until I drank the real deal and boy was I pleasantly amazed 🙂 Hand made and home made is always better 🙂
I remember telling my mother that I made Chapman and she was so impressed. Imagine, me who never went in the kitchen. The woman no believe me sometimes; it’s so funny lwkmd 🙂
Christmas is built around these little culinary memories. These are some of the distinctive flavors I cannot forget about Christmas.
- 1000mls orange soda(Fanta maybe)
- 1500mls sprite
- 50-100ml grenadine syrup or ribena
- ⅛ cup angostura bitters
- orange slices
- slices of half a lime(optional)
- slices of half a lemon (optional)
- Lots of cucumber slices
- mint leaf (for garnishing)
- In a drink container, mix all the ingredients. Stir and add the fruit and vegetable slices. Let it cool in the refrigerator before serving. Add a few splashes of vodka and enjoy if you want an adult serving.
Hi Nma…love this chapman recipe…however what can I use in place of the orange soda?
Thank you Dammy. You could use Fanta 🙂
What would be a subtitute for angostura bitters? What is that anyway?
Hi Ayafowler. Angosutura is a kind of tonic used in mixing and flavoring drinks. it is made from the root of some types of trees. I have not seen any substitute so far. Any super market should have it. I hope this helps
I think yoyo bitters can be use if Angostura is not available….
I thank you Prince Mide. I appreciate 🙂