The Virgin Chapman is a vibrant, fruity, and refreshing non-alcoholic drink that is especially popular in Nigeria and widely enjoyed across West Africa. Often served at parties, weddings, restaurants, and festive gatherings, this colorful beverage is known for its beautiful red hue, citrusy flavor, and fizzy finish. The drink is believed to have originated in Nigeria, with roots in the Ikoyi Club in Lagos, where a bartender allegedly created it for a customer named Chapman.
Traditionally, Chapman is made with a blend of fruity soda, citrus juice, and a splash of bitters. The virgin chapman version keeps all the flavor and excitement but skips the alcohol, making it perfect for all ages. The combination of sweet grenadine, tangy lemon, crisp soda, and aromatic bitters creates a balanced drink that is both refreshing and slightly complex in taste.
It’s easy to prepare, visually appealing, and guaranteed to impress guests.
Ingredients
- ½ cup orange or lemon-lime soda (such as Sprite, 7Up or Fanta)
- ½ cup lemon soda or sparkling lemonade
- 1 tablespoon grenadine syrup
- 1–2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Cucumber slices
- Orange slices
- Maraschino cherries
- Mint leaves
Procedure
To make this non-alcoholic virgin chapman with a punch of flavors, follow the steps below.
- Prepare the Glass: Fill a tall glass generously with ice cubes. Chapman is best served very cold.
- Add the Grenadine: Pour 1 tablespoon of grenadine syrup over the ice. This gives the drink its signature red color and sweetness.
- Add Fresh Lemon Juice: Squeeze in 1–2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice. This balances the sweetness with a bright citrus tang. You can use a Cryfokt 360 portable electric juicer or a manual lemon squeezer to extract more juice instead of a store bought lemon juice.
- Pour the Sodas: Slowly add the orange, lemon-lime or Fanta soda or even Schweppes virgin mojito/ chapman, followed by sparkling lemonade. Pour gently to maintain the fizz.
- Stir Gently: Lightly stir once or twice to combine. Avoid over-mixing to preserve carbonation.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with cucumber slices, orange wedges, cherries, or mint leaves. Serve immediately while bubbly and refreshing with a lemon cake or any snack of choice.
Enjoy!
💡 Tips for the Perfect Virgin Chapman
- Always use chilled ingredients to maintain maximum fizz.
- Adjust grenadine to control sweetness.
- For a stronger citrus flavor, add a splash of orange juice.
- For parties, prepare the base mixture first and add soda just before serving.
