Wine snobs have had their say for long enough. At Ace Pizza in Barnby Dun, we believe the real art of a great pizza night comes down to one underrated decision: what you’re sipping alongside it.
We’re not talking fancy pairings here. We’re talking about the fizzy, cold, straight-from-the-fridge drinks that genuinely make your pizza taste better. And yes, there is a difference — the right drink can cut through the cheese, refresh your palate, and keep you going slice after slice.
Here’s our honest guide to matching our drinks menu with your favourite pizza.
Coke — The Classic All-Rounder
There’s a reason pizza and Coke have been best mates for decades. That hit of sweetness and fizz works with just about everything, but it really shines alongside rich, meaty pizzas. Think pepperoni, BBQ chicken, or anything loaded with sausage and bacon. The caramel sweetness balances out the saltiness of cured meats, and the carbonation cuts right through the grease.
Best with: Pepperoni, meat feast, BBQ bases
Diet Coke — For the Cheese Lovers
Diet Coke has a slightly drier, crisper taste than regular Coke, and that makes it a surprisingly good match for cheese-heavy pizzas. If you’re going for a four cheese, a margherita loaded with extra mozzarella, or anything with a stuffed crust, Diet Coke cleanses the palate between bites without adding more sweetness on top of all that rich cheese.
Best with: Margherita, four cheese, stuffed crust, anything extra cheesy
Pepsi & Pepsi Max — The Bold Choice
Pepsi is a touch sweeter and smoother than Coke, which makes it a great partner for spicy pizzas. If you’ve gone for jalapeños, hot pepperoni, or a fiery nduja topping, that sweetness helps cool things down between slices. Pepsi Max gives you the same smooth flavour without the sugar — and at £2.50 for a bottle, it’s the perfect sharer if you’re splitting a pizza with someone.
Our Pepsi Max cans are ideal if you want your own drink sorted while everyone else argues over toppings.
Best with: Spicy pizzas, hot toppings, jalapeño lovers
Dr Pepper — The Wild Card
Dr Pepper is the maverick of the drinks menu, and honestly, it works better with pizza than most people expect. That blend of 23 flavours (whatever they actually are) pairs brilliantly with sweet and savoury combinations. If your pizza has pineapple, sweetcorn, or a BBQ drizzle, Dr Pepper leans right into those flavours rather than fighting them.
It’s also a solid pick if you just fancy something a bit different from the usual cola routine.
Best with: Hawaiian, BBQ chicken, sweet and savoury toppings
7UP — The Refresher
Sometimes you don’t want a cola at all. 7UP is clean, citrusy, and light — exactly what you need alongside a vegetarian pizza or something with fresh toppings like rocket, tomatoes, or goat’s cheese. The lemon-lime fizz acts like a palate cleanser, so every bite tastes as good as the first.
It’s also a great shout on a warm evening when you want something that feels refreshing rather than heavy.
Best with: Veggie pizzas, lighter toppings, garlic bread on the side
Tango — For the Fearless
Tango brings a proper fruity punch, and it’s the one to grab when you want your drink to have as much personality as your pizza. It pairs well with bold, heavily seasoned toppings — think doner meat, spicy chicken, or a fully loaded kebab pizza. The tangy sweetness stands up to big flavours without getting lost.
Best with: Doner pizza, spicy chicken, heavily topped slices
Water — The Unsung Hero
Never underestimate a bottle of water for £1.00. If you’ve ordered a pizza with strong flavours — anchovies, olives, chillies, loads of garlic — water is your best friend. It resets your taste buds completely so you can actually enjoy every topping rather than getting flavour fatigue halfway through.
Pro tip: have a water alongside your fizzy drink. Alternate between the two and your pizza experience goes up a level.
Best with: Everything, especially strong or salty flavours
The Ace Pizza Pairing Cheat Sheet
| Pizza Style | Go-To Drink |
|---|---|
| Pepperoni / Meat Feast | Coke |
| Margherita / Extra Cheese | Diet Coke |
| Spicy / Jalapeño | Pepsi or Pepsi Max |
| Hawaiian / BBQ | Dr Pepper |
| Vegetarian / Light Toppings | 7UP |
| Doner / Bold Flavours | Tango |
| Strong / Salty Toppings | Water |
The Only Rule That Actually Matters
Drink what you enjoy. Seriously. These pairings are fun to try and they genuinely do make a difference, but the best drink with pizza is the one you fancy at the time. We won’t judge.
Next time you order from Ace Pizza in Barnby Dun, give one of these combos a go and see if you notice the difference. We reckon you will.