Nigerian Chapman Cocktail
Votes: 2
Rating: 3.5
You:
Rate this recipe!
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I just learned about Chapman – a bright, bubbly festival for your mouth. This is a Nigerian drink made for parties – supposedly invented by a Nigerian bartender named Chapman and, although I wasn’t able to find any solid facts on the history, I like the idea that there is a real live person behind the drink. There are as many variations as there are bubbles in Chapman. The general idea is to mix orange soda (traditional would be fanta) with a lemon/lime soda (like sprite). I went with natural izze sodas and later made a version with san pelligrino. Both tasted bright and zesty. Perhaps the most fun part of the drink is its rosy color, which can be added with either black current syrup or non-alcoholic grenadine. Grenadine will make the drink bright pink, while cassis will color the Chapman dusty rose. For a bit of beauty and juicy flavor – add a handful of sliced fruit – I used sweet orange and lime moons, although I’ve seen versions with banana slices, cucumber, or even pineapple pieces. The finishing touch is a splash of angostura bitters, which lends a nice woodsy flavor. From what I’ve read, while the soda flavors can change up a bit (all orange or all lime, for example), a Chapman is not a Chapman without the bitters.
Servings Prep Time
1.25 gallons 15 minutes
Servings Prep Time
1.25 gallons 15 minutes
Nigerian Chapman Cocktail
Votes: 2
Rating: 3.5
You:
Rate this recipe!
Print Recipe
I just learned about Chapman – a bright, bubbly festival for your mouth. This is a Nigerian drink made for parties – supposedly invented by a Nigerian bartender named Chapman and, although I wasn’t able to find any solid facts on the history, I like the idea that there is a real live person behind the drink. There are as many variations as there are bubbles in Chapman. The general idea is to mix orange soda (traditional would be fanta) with a lemon/lime soda (like sprite). I went with natural izze sodas and later made a version with san pelligrino. Both tasted bright and zesty. Perhaps the most fun part of the drink is its rosy color, which can be added with either black current syrup or non-alcoholic grenadine. Grenadine will make the drink bright pink, while cassis will color the Chapman dusty rose. For a bit of beauty and juicy flavor – add a handful of sliced fruit – I used sweet orange and lime moons, although I’ve seen versions with banana slices, cucumber, or even pineapple pieces. The finishing touch is a splash of angostura bitters, which lends a nice woodsy flavor. From what I’ve read, while the soda flavors can change up a bit (all orange or all lime, for example), a Chapman is not a Chapman without the bitters.
Servings Prep Time
1.25 gallons 15 minutes
Servings Prep Time
1.25 gallons 15 minutes
Ingredients
Option 1: (To make 1.25 gallons)
  • ice
  • 1 lime , sliced in half moons
  • 1 orange , sliced in half moons
  • 3 cups cassis – OR –
  • grenadine
  • 2 quarts orange soda
  • 2 quarts lemon-lime soda
  • 3 splashes bitters , or to taste
Option 2: (To serve 2-4 people)
  • ice , to fill glasses
  • 4 slices lime
  • 4 slices oranges
  • 6 Tbsp cassis – OR –
  • grenadine
  • 1 cup orange soda
  • 1 cup lemon-lime soda
  • 8 drops bitters , or to taste
Optional:
  • gin , to taste (or other spirit)
Servings: gallons
Units:
Instructions
For 1.25 gallons
  1. Add all ingredients to a large pitcher, including gin if desired. Stir and serve.
For 2-4 people
  1. Divide the ingredients among 2 tall glasses or 4 small glasses. Add gin if desired. Serve without stirring so that the grenadine sits on the bottom of each glass.
Recipe Notes

All ingredients should be cold for best results.