pizza

Pepsi-Infused Pizza Is Now a Thing (But What Are We Supposed to Wash It Down With?)

Photo: Pepsico

We’re not breaking new ground when we say that there might be no better food than a steaming hot, crispy, cheesy slice of pizza. This is especially true when it’s covered in chewy, salty pepperoni. And while you can’t go wrong with a cool glass of water or a frosty beer, no beverage is better paired with pepperoni pizza than sweet, effervescent cola. This is especially true if it’s Pepsi.

That’s why we weren’t as surprised as we should be to learn that to celebrate National Pizza Day on May 20, Pepsi and the Culinary Institute of America collaborated to create what they referred to as the Pepsi™-Roni Pizza.

And they didn’t just take a regular pizza and douse it in Pepsi. That would be soggy and more than a little messy, to say the least. No, CIA (not that CIA) chefs created a new type of pepperoni that’s infused with the brown sugar, caramel, and slight citrus notes that are prevalent in Pepsi. The very unique pepperoni was created by using a Pepsi Zero Sugar reduction instead of water to create the spiced, savory, salty pizza ingredient.

“The concept is quite simple. Pepperoni brings a smokey spiciness and the Pepsi adds a citrusy sweetness,” David Kamen, director of client experience for CIA Consulting, said in a press release. “It’s an intriguing combination we think pizza fans will be excited to try.”

Sadly, you might be a little too late to try it as it debuted on Friday at New York Pizza West Village in Manhattan and it was only available for a limited time. A unique flavor experience like this begs a few questions: Will they make more of this pizza for all of us to try and what’s next in this odd, strangely intriguing cola-infused culinary world? We don’t know, but we’re pretty stoked to find out.

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