RELISH CHAPMAN NIGERIANNA

By Oro Okiemute

This is a Chapman drink with a difference. It is uniquely favored to meet the expectations of the average Nigerian.

One wouldn’t be wrong to say Chapman has the look and feel of  warm climes, maybe because of all the ice and the citrusy scents and flavours that accompany it. It is very easy to make, easy to customize and suitable for all ages and almost always comes out right. One could easily transform it from non-alcoholic to alcoholic by adding a capful or two (use your discretion) of your favourite spirit. Or add some Campari.

 Even though the Nigerian Chapman contains a very small quantity of alcohol; there are those who will like to make a version that does not contain any trace of alcohol. If you want to make that, you can add Bitter Lemon instead of Angostura bitters to try and replicate the classic taste but note that the Nigerian Chapman will not be the same without Angostura Bitters. Angostura Bitters gives this drink its characteristic and unique flavour!

Ingredients:

Below are basic ingredients used to make two classic glasses of Chapman: one for me, the other for my guest:

½ cup Grenadine Syrup (or Red Currant juice)

Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Ribena Blackcurrant

Fanta Orange: at least 35cl

Sprite: at least 35 cl

½ an Orange

½ a lemon

Ice cubes

To garnish:

Feel free to add any citrus and other fruits of your choice: cucumber, strawberry, orange, lemon, lime, even bananas. I used the following:

½ an orange

½ a lemon

½ a cucumber

2 small strawberries

Before making the Chapman

Mix small quantities of the Fanta and the Sprite, poured this into my ice cube trays and put in the freezer.

Cut the orange and the lemon into two equal parts each then cut one half of each into thin quarters. Reserved the other half for squeezing into the drink.

Extract the juice from the red currants. You do not need this step if you have Grenadine Syrup.

Make sure that the Fanta and the Sprite are chilling in the fridge.

Directions for making the Chapman

Put a few ice cubes in the mug.

Add half a cup of the red currant juice / Grenadine Syrup / pomegranate juice.

Add a few dashes of Angostura Bitters (to your taste).

Add a squeeze of orange and lemon each.

Use equal amounts of Fanta and Sprite to fill up the remaining volume of the mug. Remember to leave some space because the garnishings will take up their own volume.

Add your sliced garnishings: cucumber, strawberry, orange, lemons and lime. This list goes on and on, some people even add bananas to theirs.

Top off with Ribena blackcurrant if you have it.

Stir with the straws and it is ready for drinking!

Enjoy it on a warm sunny day or on any special occasion with any Nigerian snack.