Pepsi and Hot Sauce Is a Thing? A Viral Trend
- Mikey V's Team
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has sparked one of the most unexpected food trends: mixing Pepsi with hot sauce. What started as a quirky preference has evolved into a viral sensation, complete with official Pepsi endorsements and thousands of fans attempting their own "Buffalo Pepsi" creations.
This unusual combination might sound bizarre at first, but there's method to the madness. The sweet carbonation of Pepsi paired with the tangy heat of buffalo sauce creates a surprisingly balanced flavor profile that's winning over adventurous taste buds across the country.
Whether you're a Bills Mafia member or simply curious about this trending flavor mashup, understanding the story behind Pepsi and hot sauce reveals why this combination has captured social media attention.
Key Takeaways |
|---|
Josh Allen's love for Pepsi and hot sauce started a viral food trend |
The combination offers a unique sweet-and-spicy flavor profile |
Official Pepsi campaigns have embraced the Buffalo Bills connection |
DIY recipes make it easy to try this trend at home |
Buffalo-style hot sauces work best for authentic flavor |
The Viral Sensation
Josh Allen's affinity for both Pepsi and buffalo sauce didn't happen overnight. The Bills quarterback has been open about his love for the classic Buffalo wing experience, and somewhere along the way, he discovered that adding buffalo style hot sauce to his Pepsi created an unexpectedly delicious drink.
The trend exploded when Pepsi itself got involved, creating official content featuring Allen demonstrating how to "Buffalo your Pepsi." In a viral YouTube video, Allen walks viewers through his process: order buffalo wings with Pepsi, ask for extra buffalo sauce, mix a little sauce with celery for garnish, and enjoy what he calls his "new favorite drink."
The 40-second tutorial has garnered over 116,000 views and sparked countless imitations across social media platforms. Yahoo Sports joined the conversation with their own TikTok content, helping spread the Buffalo Pepsi phenomenon to an even wider audience.
The hashtag #BuffaloPepsi began trending as fans shared their own attempts at recreating Allen's signature drink.
Pepsi capitalized on the viral moment by launching a sweepstakes campaign, encouraging fans to share their Buffalo Pepsi creations for a chance to win Josh Allen signed merchandise or official Buffalo Pepsi drink kits. This marketing move transformed a quirky quarterback preference into a legitimate brand campaign.
Why Pepsi and Hot Sauce?
The success of buffalo Pepsi isn't just about celebrity endorsement—there's actual science behind why this combination works. The sweetness of Pepsi provides a cooling counterbalance to the heat and acidity of buffalo sauce, creating what food scientists call flavor complementarity.
It's called swisy!
Buffalo sauce traditionally combines hot sauce with butter, vinegar, and garlic powder, creating a complex flavor profile that's tangy, spicy, and rich. When mixed with Pepsi's caramel sweetness and carbonation, the drink becomes a liquid version of the sweet-and-heat combinations found in popular dishes like Korean fried chicken or Thai chili sauces.
Would you try buffalo sauce in your Pepsi?
Heck yeah!
Hmmm, maybe
That's gross and Josh Allen is crazy
The cultural context matters too. Buffalo, New York, has a passionate food culture centered around wings, and the Bills Mafia is known for their enthusiastic support of anything connected to their team and city. Josh Allen's endorsement of this combination resonates deeply with fans who see it as an extension of Buffalo's culinary identity.
The carbonation in Pepsi also plays a crucial role. The bubbles help distribute the hot sauce throughout the drink and provide a textural contrast that makes each sip interesting. This effervescence prevents the buffalo sauce from simply settling at the bottom, ensuring consistent flavor in every gulp.
DIY Buffalo Pepsi Hot Sauce
Creating your own buffalo Pepsi at home requires just a few simple ingredients and the right technique.
Here's how to make this viral drink:
Basic Buffalo Pepsi Recipe:
12 oz Pepsi (chilled)
1-2 teaspoons buffalo sauce
Optional: celery stick for garnish
Optional: blue cheese rim (as Allen suggests in his video)
Start with high-quality buffalo sauce for the best results. While traditional Frank's RedHot works well, craft buffalo sauces offer more complex flavors that complement Pepsi's sweetness better.
Power Wing Sauce makes an excellent choice for this combination. This Texas-made sauce brings buttery, garlicky, and zesty notes that pair exceptionally well with Pepsi's cola flavor. The sauce's balanced heat level (not too mild, not overwhelmingly hot) allows the unique flavor combination to shine through without overpowering the drink.
Preparation Tips:
Use chilled Pepsi for the best experience
Add sauce gradually—you can always add more
Stir gently to avoid losing carbonation
Taste and adjust sauce levels to your preference
Serve immediately for optimal fizz
For those wanting to recreate Allen's exact version, consider rimming your glass with blue cheese powder or crumbles, though this addition is definitely for the adventurous palate only.
Other Buffalo Sauce Recommendations:
Anchor Bar Original (from Buffalo's original wing spot)
Sweet Baby Ray's Buffalo Wing Sauce
Crystal Louisiana's Pure Hot Sauce mixed with butter
Make sure to also check out our facts about buffalo sauces to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is buffalo Pepsi actually good?
A: Taste is subjective, but the combination has gained thousands of fans. The sweet-and-spicy (SWICY) profile appeals to people who enjoy contrasting flavors, similar to those who like pineapple on pizza or salted caramel desserts.
Q: What's the best buffalo sauce to use?
A: Medium-heat buffalo sauces work best. Too mild and you won't taste the sauce; too hot and it overpowers the Pepsi. Mikey V's Power Wing Sauce offers an ideal balance of flavor and heat.
Q: Can you use other colas?
A: While Pepsi is the original, other colas can work. Pepsi's slightly sweeter profile compared to Coca-Cola makes it the preferred choice for this combination.
Q: How much sauce should I add?
A: Start with half a teaspoon and gradually increase. Most people find 1-2 teaspoons per 12-ounce serving hits the sweet spot.
Q: Is this drink safe?
A: Yes, mixing hot sauce with soda is completely safe. Both ingredients are food-grade and commonly consumed together in various dishes.
Ready to Join the Buffalo Pepsi Movement?
The Pepsi and hot sauce phenomenon proves that the best food trends often come from unexpected places. What started as Josh Allen's personal preference has evolved into a legitimate flavor experience that's winning over curious taste buds nationwide.
Whether you're a Bills fan looking to connect with your quarterback's quirky tastes or simply someone who enjoys adventurous flavor combinations, buffalo Pepsi offers a unique twist on both classic buffalo sauce and cola.
Next time you're watching a Bills game or just craving something different, grab a cold Pepsi and your favorite buffalo hot sauce. You might discover that Josh Allen was onto something special all along. After all, if it's good enough to inspire an official Pepsi campaign and thousands of social media posts, it's definitely worth a try.
Comments