Nigerian drinks are part of the culture: the Chapman at a Lagos lounge, zobo at a naming ceremony, malt at a child’s birthday, kunu from a northern market. Here is a guide to the classics and when to drink them.

The classics

Drink	What it is
Zobo	Hibiscus leaves boiled with ginger, cloves and pineapple, served cold
Chapman	Nigeria’s signature mocktail: Fanta, Sprite, Angostura bitters, grenadine, cucumber and lemon
Kunu zaki	Smooth, spiced millet or sorghum drink
Kunu aya (tiger nut milk)	Tiger nuts blended with dates and coconut
Kunu gyada	Groundnut and rice drink, served warm
Fura da nono	Millet balls in fermented milk
Koko	Spiced millet porridge, more of a drink in Ghana and the north
Ginger drink	Fresh ginger, lemon and sometimes pineapple
Malt drinks	Non-alcoholic, sweet malted barley drinks; Nigeria has several popular brands
Palm wine	Fresh palm sap, sweet when fresh and alcoholic as it ferments
Coconut water	Straight from the nut
Soursop juice	Creamy, tangy and tropical
Yoghurt drinks	Chilled and sweet, a street and supermarket favourite
Fresh fruit juices and smoothies	Pineapple, watermelon, orange, mango

Chapman at home

1. Fill a tall glass with ice, cucumber and lemon or orange slices.
2. Add equal parts orange soda and lemon-lime soda.
3. Add a few dashes of Angostura bitters and a splash of grenadine or blackcurrant cordial.
4. Stir gently and serve.

Which drink for which weather?

Weather	Reach for
Hot, sunny days	Zobo, Chapman, coconut water, tiger nut milk, watermelon juice
Rainy days	Kunu gyada, koko, ginger tea, hot chocolate
Harmattan (dry and dusty)	Warm ginger-lemon drink, plenty of water, soursop or orange juice
Any day	Malt, yoghurt drinks, fresh juice

Abroad, winter is our new harmattan. Warm kunu or ginger tea on a cold evening hits differently.

Finding ingredients abroad: most African and international grocery stores carry these. Check our Tokunbo Directory for African-owned stores near you.

Over to you: What is your go-to drink at a Nigerian party? Tell us in the comments or share your story.