Lagos — Nigerians may be fond of a glass of champagne but it’s another fizzy drink — and one that’s unashamedly non-alcoholic — that’s dearest to their hearts. Garnet red and tooth-achingly sweet with a surprisingly tart kick, the Chapman is served with a slice of orange and cucumber in a pint glass with a plastic straw. "This is our drink, not champagne," says Toyedayo Osilaja, a patron of the Ikoyi Club, one of the oldest private clubs in Lagos, Nigeria’s thriving commercial capital. "The [champagne] fever is dying. You’ve had enough hiccups and heartburn. Chapman is just a popular drink we all love." Chapman’s universal appeal is undeniable in a religiously conservative country where temperance is widely seen as a virtue. It’s a staple on restaurant menus and a favourite at weddings; President Muhammadu Buhari serves it at meetings; best-selling novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is on the record as a fan. Enjoyed by both children and adults and eyed by beverage companies as a nex...
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