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There’s nothing better than great food paired with the right drink — and with the variety of flavours in the Pepsi Max range meant it was the perfect candidate for pairing. We recently visited Big Nath from Big Nath’s Barbecue to watch up cook up a selection of dishes designed to pair perfectly with different Pepsi Max flavours. From smoky burgers to sweet, sticky ribs and zesty tacos, each dish was built to complement the flavour profile in the glass and in one case, he even cooked with it.
Smoking burgers isn’t as common as grilling them, but Nath explains that once you’ve tried it, there’s no going back.
Nath used American mustard as a binder, followed by a barbecue rub. The burgers then go onto the smoker for around 45 minutes to an hour, allowing the smoke to gently work its magic. Toward the end of the cook, add cheese and let it melt down over those smoky patties.
The buns are built with a layer of barbecue sauce on the base, then the burgers are stacked double. A drizzle of American mustard and a few pickles finish things off.
The result is a rich, smoky, indulgent burger that pairs perfectly with Pepsi Max Original, cutting through the savouriness while holding its own against those bold BBQ flavours.
This pairing is all about balance, fresh, zesty flavours meeting smoky heat.
Nath uses boneless, skin‑on chicken thighs marinated with a barbecue hot sauce, a little black pepper, honey for sweetness, and chipotle flakes for a gentle kick. After marinating for about an hour, the chicken goes skin‑side down onto the grill until beautifully juicy and charred.
For the salsa, corn is charred on the grill, cut from the cob, and mixed with fresh coriander. It’s simple, fresh, and packed with flavour.
To build the tacos, load up warm tortillas with slices of grilled chicken, spoon over the charred corn salsa, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lime. The citrus notes in Pepsi Max Lime lift the dish perfectly, complementing the heat and freshness in every bite.
Ribs are always a crowd‑pleaser, and for this dish Nath leaned into something a little sweeter: Cherry Pepsi Max party ribs.
Nath says he loves cooking ribs with fruity, sweet liquids, and Cherry Pepsi Max works brilliantly. He starts by coating individual ribs with American mustard, followed by a BBQ rub, before loading them onto the smoker.
After around 45 minutes to an hour, the ribs come off with a great colour and tenderness. At this stage, they’re tightly wrapped in foil with Cherry Pepsi Max and a barbecue sauce, then placed back on the smoker. This step lets the ribs soak up all that sticky, cherry‑sweet flavour while becoming even more tender.
When they come off the smoker for the final time, the aroma is rich, smoky, and unmistakably cherry. These ribs pair perfectly with Cherry Pepsi Max, both in the cooking process and in the glass.
Mango flavours work brilliantly with seafood, and this pairing really proves it. The shrimp are coated with garlic, barbecue sauce, and local honey, giving them a sticky glaze that caramelises beautifully on the grill. They don’t take long to cook, just enough time to pick up a little char while staying juicy.
To finish, Nath adds a sprinkle of fresh coriander and a drizzle of hot honey for that perfect balance of sweetness and heat. Paired with the tropical notes of Pepsi Max Mango, this dish is bold, vibrant, and seriously moreish.
It’s clear to see that Pepsi Max is a drink that genuinely works with food, from rich, smoky barbecue to lighter, zesty flavours, and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the fastest‑growing cola brands in the UK.
If you’re rethinking your menu or considering some new additions, there’s a Pepsi Max flavour to match the moment.
Watch how Big Nath pulled all of the dishes above together on our YouTube channel.
Watch how it all came together