What is a Chapman drink?

Chapman is a Nigerian mixed drink, and the first thing a lot of people order in a Lagos restaurant or club. It arrives in a tall glass looking like a sunset: ruby-red, packed with ice, a slice of cucumber on the rim. Most tellings trace it to the bar of a Lagos club decades ago, mixed for a guest and named on the spot. Whatever the exact origin, it became the drink you hand a guest to say you're welcome here.

There's no single official recipe. Every bar's Chapman is a little bit theirs, and that's part of the culture.

A classic Chapman builds in layers:

• The fizz. Orange and lemon-lime soda, often with a splash of a dark soft drink, gives it a sparkling citrus base and part of its color.
• The red. Grenadine or another red fruit syrup brings the ruby color and fruit sweetness. Some makers use blackcurrant cordial instead.
• The cool. Cucumber slices aren't just garnish. Their freshness is what keeps a sweet drink refreshing through a hot afternoon.
• The bright. Orange, lemon or lime, sliced in or squeezed in, sharpens the sweetness.
• The depth. A dash of aromatic bitters gives it that grown-up edge, the ingredient people can't place and can't do without.

From there, bartenders freelance with fruit juices, spice and their own ratios.

It can be either. The name describes a drink style, not what's in the glass. Chapman is a mocktail when every ingredient is non-alcoholic, which is how it's most often served, so everyone at the party gets something festive whether they drink or not.

Some versions lean the other way. Traditional aromatic bitters contain alcohol, and some bartenders add gin, vodka or another spirit. If it matters to you, ask how that particular Chapman is made.

Build a citrus soda base over ice, add a splash of red fruit syrup, then cucumber and citrus slices, and finish with a small dash of bitters. Taste and adjust the sweetness. For the easy version, pour chilled ZZAI Chapman over ice with fresh cucumber and orange, or make a pitcher with the Chapman party punch recipe.

ZZAI Chapman is our ready-to-drink take: bright citrus, cooling cucumber and bitters come together in a sparkling take on Nigeria's favorite party drink, with a light bittersweet edge under the citrus. It's non-alcoholic and caffeine-free. Real cane sugar. No artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives.

It depends on who's making it. Most Chapman is served as a mocktail, but traditional aromatic bitters contain alcohol and some bartenders add spirits. ZZAI Chapman is non-alcoholic.

Bright citrus and red fruit up front, cooling cucumber, and a light bittersweet edge from the bitters. Sweet, but never just sweet.

Classic Chapman can, if it's made with a cola-style soda. ZZAI Chapman is caffeine-free.

Right here. ZZAI Chapman ships across the US in 12-can trays, or try it with the other three flavors in the Variety Pack.