The Sunset Paradise Cocktail with Ikoyi Chapmans Original

 

Spring is in the air and if you're like me, you will be beginning to dream of the months ahead and of course the magic of your summer holidays and all of the wonderful, sun-drenched places which you're so longing for. Beachy locations with straw umbrellas, white hot sand, sparkling blue and turquoise waters and not a cloud in the sky. I'm a fan of being prepared and in light of this, I am beginning my holiday preparations by getting well aquatinted with some truly delightful drinks, this time with Ikoyi Chapmans who are the makers of a delectable sparkling citrus drink which is 100% alcohol-free and inspired by the wonderful, aromatic and delectable flavours of Africa. With natural bitters, it is both refreshing and thirst quenching, not to mention the most delicious flavour! It can be happily enjoyed served over ice or turned into your new favourite tipple by mixing with gin, vodka, rum, Prosecco or even red wine for a rich and indulgent Sangria! 

 

Sparkling citrus fruit drink with natural bitters. It is alcohol-free with the original taste that makes it so refreshing and unique.

 

Behind The Brand

The History of Ikoyi Chapmans

Like so many good and special things, there is a story behind the founding of Ikoyi Chapmans and I'm going to share it with you here. This new and exciting soft drink originating from West Africa is the vision of Mike and Garry Robinson. It all began in 1973 at The Ikoyi Club in Lagos, Nigeria. The founders' parents were based in West Africa for over 30 years and during school holidays Mike and Garry would go to The Ikoyi Club to play squash, tennis, golf and swim. After these exertions in the heat and humidity of West Africa, one of the Club barmen would mix the most amazing, refreshing, thirst-quenching drink that was popular with everyone. It had a unique taste like no other drink and to this day they have never tasted anything like it... until now, that is. The Ikoyi Club name for this drink was Chapmans.

In the 1980’s and back in the UK, Mike and Garry became professional squash players and they continued to mix and drink Chapmans as both a great thirst-quencher and a great social drink. After their squash years they also discovered that it is a great cocktail mixer, blending particularly well with gin, vodka and Prosecco... truly an all round drink to enjoy.

For many years now their dream has been to produce this drink for everyone to enjoy, and now the reality of this dream has officially begun! Cheers to that!

 

 

A taste of Africa

 

 

Best serves: Drink ice-cold on its own with fruit slices for a mocktail unlike any other or as a mixer with gin, vodka or Prosecco. You can also mix it with red wine for a tasty Sangria or make an Aperol Spritz when combined with mix of of Prosecco and Aperol!

 

Ingredients

Makes one Sunset Paradise Cocktail (double proportions to make for 2)

1 x 330ml bottle of Ikoyi Chapmans Original sparkling citrus fruit drink, chilled

2 x shots of vodka, gin, rum or alternatively mix 50/50 with Prosecco

3 x fresh strawberries

2 x slices of fresh zesty orange

a sprig of fresh, aromatic mint

a handful of ice cubes

Sugar to adorn the edge of the glass

 

How to mix

1. Begin by fully chilling your Ikoyi Chapmans drinks and making the ice cubes. This fruity delight is best served chilled so we need to get things sub-zero for this drink to be on point and one that your guests will be asking for the recipe for.

 

2. Once the drinks are chilled and ice cubes made, adorn the edge of the glass with sugar crystals and then gently place the ice and slices of orange and strawberries in to the glass, along with the mint leaves.

 

3. Now pour on your spirit of choice. I've opted for vodka here but you can use any of the spirits outlined to match your taste. Alternatively, you could also mix with Prosecco for a deliciously refreshing spritzer!

 

4. Pour on the Ikoyi Chapmans Original citrus fruit drink and swirl with a cocktail mixer to make sure all of the elements are well combined to help the infusion process.

 

5. Serve up and enjoy! Mix up 2 and you can share the bliss with a friend / your other half.

 

 

Shop Ikoyi Chapmans Original sparkling orange citrus fruit drink with natural bitters online via their website here

 

What I love about this drink is that it is not only delicious, it is also a flavour unlike any I have dried before and it's zingy with a freshness that truly beckons you towards sunny climes! I can imagine sitting on a beach somewhere far away in my bikini and sipping on this with the distant sound of music playing in a beach club and the sea lapping up on the shore and the shadow of the palm leaf umbrella dancing on the sand.

 

You can connect with Ikoyi Chapmans via their social media pages of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

 

 

 

Have you ever tried Ikoyi Chapmans Original sparkling citrus fruit drink with natural bitters before? What do you think of this refreshing serve? Bilgi   x

  This blog post is written in sponsorship with Ikoyi Chapmans. All views and opinions remain honest and my own.