Putting the 'Roni in Negroni
Bartender Jesse Hedberg's cocktails bolster fun-loving vibes at Pizza Marvin
photo: will blunt
“We opened as to-go only,” says Pizza Marvin beverage manager and co-owner Jesse Hedberg. “We needed drinks that could be packaged in a fun way that allowed you to have an experience without being in the restaurant.”
So, Hedberg tasked himself with translating the energy of Pizza Marvin—a casual pizzeria that places a premium on whimsy—into his cocktail program. One of the first drinks he came up with was the Pepperoni Negroni, with the name admittedly coming before the drink was developed. Hedberg grinds and renders pepperoni, filling the restaurant with a spicy and porky aroma, then filters the grease a few times for a clean, bright orange result. He fatwashes a London Dry-style gin, and batches the cocktail with sweet vermouth, Campari, and a bit of water and rich simple syrup for balance. “It’s something familiar, with a bit of tint,” he says. “It has a richness, spiciness—and dare I say meatiness—to it.” Bottled and served over ice with an orange twist, Hedberg’s Pepperoni Negroni hits the concept’s nail right on the head: a fun drink with an underpinning of technique and sophistication, and a “perfect pair for a pepperoni slice.”
