We chose Ikoyi Chapmans Original, to share with our members in their July 2020 Gin of the Month box because it’s super exciting to discover a completely new - and delicious - mixer! Ikoyi Chapmans is a vibrant and fruity citrus drink made using natural bitters and a recipe with origins in West Africa. It’s a sparkling soft drink that’s perfect for mixing up your cocktails this summer. Discover the amazing story behind this fantastic tipple and check out our two serving suggestions for great ways to drink it this summer!
A Taste of Lagos
Mike and Garry Robinson grew up in West Africa, and their favourite way to spend their summers was playing squash at the Ikoyi Club in Lagos, Nigeria. But afternoons spent in the humid heat of July left the two boys in need of a rejuvenating drink.
“It was a long time ago that we first tried Chapmans, back in the late 1960s when it was hand-mixed at the Ikoyi Club. We both distinctly remember it as having a totally unique taste and being absolutely thirst-quenching… possibly the most refreshing drink ever!”
Chapmans is often described as Nigeria’s favourite drink, and no celebration in West Africa is complete without a pitcher of this popular non-alcoholic punch. A sparkling soft drink flavoured with citrus fruits and the subtle taste of herbal bitters, it’s traditionally served on hot days over ice, with chopped cucumbers, oranges and limes.
What Mike and Garry didn’t discover till years later is that Chapmans is an excellent cocktail mixer. When the two boys grew up and became professional squash players, they loved nothing more than celebrating a win with gin and Chapmans – or a G&C, as they call it (scroll down to find the recipe!).
“As a mixer it gives the overall taste of the spirit a different dimension to the usual tonics. It mixes so well with gin particularly, and we want everyone to be able to experience it.”
This summer, the Robinson brothers are so excited to share this amazing drink with our members. Whether poured over ice, served as a G&C or mixed into a tasty gin tipple, it’s just the thirst quencher you’ll be craving this July!
The Mayor Of Warwick
Ingredients
50ml gin
Dash of blackcurrant cordial
Juice of quarter of a lime
Ikoyi Chapmans, to top up
Lime wedge to garnish.
Method
Combine your gin, blackcurrant cordial, lime juice and in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a large glass. Add ice and top up with Ikoyi Chapmans Original. Garnish and serve.
Gin & Chapmans
Ingredients
50ml gin
125ml Ikoyi Chapmans Original
Blood orange wedge, to garnish
A sprig of mint, to garnish
Method
Add your gin to a glass full of ice and then add your Ikoyi Chapmans Original. Garnish and serve.
Did you know? The two brothers are keen to give back to the communities they grew up with and support two African charities: Virgin Unite and Ubuntu Pathways.
You can purchase a pack of six bottles of Ikoyi Chapmans from our online shop, while stocks last!
plus all of your
plus all of your
plus all of your