Top 10 Nigerian Locally Made Drinks

The taste. The allure. The prestige. The hominess. Imported drinks might be archetypically attributed to quality, but there’s no comparison to the brilliance that can be found in the best Nigerian locally made drinks.

In addition to what Nigerian locally made drinks have to offer, we have also provided answers to the frequently asked questions: “What can you drink with Nigerian food?” and “What are some traditional drinks in Nigeria?”

Every ethnic group in the very diverse West African nation of Nigeria has a locally made drink embedded in their story. Each of this many drinks has its own importance in history: from the libation utility of the Ogogoro, to the peace brought about by the palm wine and the convivial function of the zobo.

In this article, we have shortlisted the top 10 Nigerian locally made drinks you need to taste before you die. Many of these Nigerian locally made drinks can be made at home by anyone with the readily available ingredients.

Top 10 Nigerian Locally Made Drinks

Nigerian locally made drinks

Palm Wine – Ogogoro

The most recognised Nigerian locally made drink in the country is the eternal palm wine. The alcoholic beverage is extracted by valiant men (or rarely women) from the saps of palmyra, date palms, coconut palms and other species of palm trees.

The luxuriant brilliance of this Nigerian locally made drink is reflected in the relatively luxurious lifestyle it offers to its tappers.

The sap is collected from the cut flower of the palm tree, with the aid of a container firmly fastened to the stump.

The palm wine initially comes in form of a white, sweet, non-alcoholic liquid, but after fermentation the palm wine turns alcoholic.

An alternative, but rarely practised method will see the whole tree felled, after which a fire would be lit at the cut end to extract the sap.

Palm Wine is extremely convertible and its alcoholic concentration can be easily altered using fermentation. One of the most popular variant of this Nigerian locally made drink is Ogogoro.

This drink is most tapped in the South-Southern geographical zone of Nigeria which has seen that region consume the most alcohol in the whole of Nigeria.

Zobo

The Zobo drink which is a product of dried Roselle or sorrel leaves (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is one of the most popular Nigerian locally made drinks. It is a mainstay menu in Nigerian parties and occasions.

Although unproven, Zobo is believed to have some medicinal benefits ranging from the regulation of blood pressure, reduction of cholesterol, stress reduction, weight loss and the improvement of sex drive.

It is considered unsafe for pregnant women still in their first trimester as it is alleged to induce menstruation which can instigate a miscarriage.

Kunu

One of the finest products from the North, Kunu is one of the Nigerian locally made drinks that is popular as a household name across the federation.

It is a derivative of grains such as millet, sorghum or sometimes maize. The original product determines the colour of the end product, as those produced using sorghum give a milky light-brown colour, while the other two will be consistently white.

The production of this Nigerian locally made drink is so natural that it undergoes very minimal heating, making it one of the most nutritious beverage in West Africa.

Chapman

The Chapman is officially recognised as Nigeria’s favourite drink, but is actually more foreign than it is local.

Chapman is a Nigerian locally made drink which is ‘brewed’ from a combination of Fanta, Sprite, Cucumber, Lemon, Grenadine and Angostura bitters. The end product of this blend is a non-alcoholic beverage reddish in colour.

Depending on the occasion and intended ambience, the Chapman can sometimes be concentrated with a dash of vodka or rum.

Fura da Nono

Fura da nono is another popular Nigerian locally made drink that is produced and mostly consumed in the Northern axis. The term ‘Fura da nono’ roughly translates to millet and milk mush.

Nono is a natural fermented by-product of cow milk which is obtained after the separation of the milk from the Man Shanu (cow oil).

Due to the zero or no additives, it retains the natural nutritional value and benefits of both milk and millet, coupling this with a satisfyingly creamy taste.

Pito

Another proceed of millet or sorghum, Pito is one of the few Nigerian locally made drinks that can be classified as beer.

The drink, made from the fermentation of millet or sorghum, is so ingrained in the Nigerian culture, that it is today still served in a calabash. A stereotypical depiction of how the Nigerian enjoyment is perceived by the Western World.

Adoyo

One of the most distinguishable Nigerian locally made drinks, Adoyo is yellowish gelatinous serving produced from a mash of pineapple juice and Ogi-derived supplements.

The drink is very well revered across the African country as an excellent source of fibre, minerals and vitamins. It is also perceived as a remedial supplement for the fight against malaria, despite this claim being medically unproven.

Although easily mistaken for the more foreign custard, Adoyo is a recipe that has been passed down through the local frontiers of Nigerian history.

Groundnut Milk

Groundnut Milk, also known as Peanut milk, is the milk derivative of Groundnut. Although today very popular around the world, this Nigerian locally made drink has its root in Africa.

It is made by soaking groundnuts in water for about six hours usually in a refrigerator. The resulting groundnuts are subsequently blended with a measured amount of water. Dependent on preference, dates or vanilla can be added into the blending mix.

The last step involves filtering the milk with a cheesecloth.

The Groundnut milk is renowned for its nutritional components in comparison with dairy milk, which contains more calories than the aforementioned.

Hausa Koko

Although the Hausa koko originated from Ghana, its strong relation with the very dominant tribe of Hausa in Nigeria, classifies it as one of the many Nigerian locally made drinks.

Also called spicy millet porridge, the Hausa koko is made entirely from millet spiced with a few local ingredients to give it that distinct taste and smell.

Tigernut Offio Milk Drink

Lastly on our list of top Nigerian locally made drinks is the Tigernut Offio Milk drink which is a worthy alternative to dairy milks.

The milk is naturally creamy but is more renowned for its therapeutic qualities in combatting a wide variety of ailments.

Top 10 Nigerian Locally Made Drinks

  1. Palm Wine – Ogogoro
  2. Zobo
  3. Kunu
  4. Chapman
  5. Fura da nono
  6. Pito
  7. Adoyo
  8. Groundnut Milk
  9. Hausa Koko
  10. Tigernut Offio Milk Drink
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