🍕 P&C Nights: The Delicious Tradition of Pizza and Cocktails (or Craft Beer... or Champagne)

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what the perfect Friday night looks like, let me introduce you to one of our favorite rituals: P&C Nights. It all started during the pandemic when my wife Maren and I needed something to look forward to every week. The answer? Pizza and Champagne Fridays. What began as a simple comfort quickly turned into a tradition—and over time, it evolved into what we now lovingly call “P&C Nights.”

So, what does P&C stand for?Well, the P is always Pizza—homemade, of course. And the C? That can be Cocktails, Craft Beer, or Champagne. Each week, we switch it up depending on what we're feeling.

The Tradition That Keeps On Giving

Every Friday, the house fills with the aroma of freshly baked pizza, we always have different music playing and there's always something good to sip on while it cooks. It's a chance to unwind, try new flavor combinations, and enjoy a quiet, cozy evening together.

Last night’s combo? Spicy Pepperoni Pizza with Hot Honey, paired with a classic Old Fashioned. And honestly, it might be our favorite pairing yet. The heat of the pepperoni and jalapeños balanced beautifully with the sweetness of the hot honey and the richness of the cocktail. It was one of those “yep, this is going in the rotation” moments.

🍕 Spicy Pepperoni & Hot Honey Pizza Recipe

This one’s got a bit of kick and a touch of sweetness that takes it over the top. You can always use store-bought dough, but here’s our go-to homemade version:

Dough Ingredients:

2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 ½ cups warm water
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar

Toppings:

¾ cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup spicy pepperoni slices (or regular with crushed red pepper)
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1 fresh jalapeño, sliced (optional)
Fresh basil leaves
Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
2 tbsp hot honey (drizzled after baking)

🥃 The Classic Old Fashioned

This cocktail is bold, smooth, and the perfect complement to a spicy slice.

Ingredients:

2 oz Whiskey, Bourbon, or Rye
¼ to ½ oz 100% organic maple syrup (depending on your sweetness preference)
A few dashes of Angostura orange bitters
Dried orange slices (we get ours at Trader Joe’s)
Maraschino cherries

To Make: In a rocks glass, add the maple syrup and bitters. Stir to combine. Add your whiskey and a large ice cube. Garnish with a dried orange slice and cherry.

The Vibe

P&C Nights aren’t just about the food and drinks—it’s the ritual. The music playing, the way the kitchen smells as the pizza bakes. The clink of glasses. The pause from the rest of the week. It’s our time to be present, to savor, to experiment, and to just be together.

We’re still dialing in the photography (our DSLR isn’t cutting it lately—camera upgrade incoming!), but the flavor is always picture-perfect. Quick side story since you may be asking about the large decanter of whiskey, well Another tradition that started during the pandemic is my infinity whiskey bottle. I noticed I had all these nearly empty bottles of whiskey, bourbon, and rye taking up too much space. So, to make room—and give myself a good reason to buy more—I started pouring the last bits into a decanter I had. Now, I dip into it regularly and top it off anytime one of my bottles is running low.

Join the P&C Movement

Whether it’s pizza and prosecco or pepperoni with a pint, there’s something magical about pairing a homemade meal with a great drink. Start your own P&C tradition—you won’t regret it.

🍕🥂 What’s Your P&C?

We’d love to hear what your go-to pairings are! Drop a comment, share your favorite recipe, or tag us in your own P&C night photos. Let’s keep the good times (and the dough) rolling.

Check out my instgarm for the video we took that I couldn't add here: https://www.instagram.com/throttleandtonic/