When Shrove Tuesday rolls around, pancakes are obviously the star of the show. However, finding the right drink to wash them down levels up everything. Don’t get us wrong, coffee, tea, juice and the usuals are fine, but drinks like these are how you celebrate in style.
The variety of toppings can make the accompanying drink a tricky one to decide, but whatever you’re going for this Pancake Day, we’ve got an idea below to perfectly match.
WINE
Fizzy Cocktail
Sparkling wine cocktails are gorgeous alongside pancakes. If you’ve gone for rich and thick toppings like banana then the light bubbles cut through wonderfully, and any fruity flavour will obviously complement.
A glass of orange juice is obviously a safe bet when it comes to washing down pancakes but why not add some bubbles (Cava is great) for an even more refreshing Mimosa?
Or perhaps a beautiful Bellini if you’re using peach?
If you want something with more oomph then our Rosé Bowler with Rosé and strawberries as well as dry white wine and a touch of Cognac would be stunning with any red fruits on your pancakes.
Find some of our delicious bubbly cocktail recipes including the above go here!
Sweet Wines
If your pancakes aren’t too sweet, then a sweet sparkling wine or dessert wine could be the way to go for tonnes of flavour without the sweetness overkill.
Toppings like cinnamon and apple would pair nicely with Sauternes, or even a Tokaji if you can get it. You can generally expect notes of apricot, honey, butterscotch, peaches, toasted baking spices with enough fresh acidity to slice through the pancakes.
Size: 500ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £14.60
You could also consider a sweeter sparkling wine unless you’re using lemon on your pancakes. Something like this Moscato D’Asti brings a pastries and cream cake profile as well as a thirst-quenching fruity quality.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 5.3%
Find here: £7.49
Rosé
A good sparkling Rosé sits ideally next to any strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries on your pancakes. Anything heavier or stodgier than that and we’d avoid it but for lighter toppings this works wonders.
The mirroring of fruits is subtle enough to enhance but not spoil, so look for a dry, natural tasting elegant Rosé that holds with great fizz. We’ve listed some of our favourites here, but the Mirabeau La Folie Rosé is perfectly dry, refreshing, crisp and versatile too!
Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £10.99 (Usually £14.99)
Whites
Now, sweet toppings are by far and away the most popular but let’s not forget savoury options.
Rich toppings like cheese and ham pancakes call for a crisp white that’s highly aromatic with good acidity. Think off-dry Riseling, Pinot Blanc or Gavi, but many others would work well!
Mushroom and Spinach is another unusual but not unheard of pancake filling, and those umami flavours are pesky to pair with. Nonetheless, a Gewürztraminer’s slight sweetness and intense aroma would be the perfect foil for the earthy savoury flavours.
For a reliable all-rounder regardless of specific toppings, if you’re serving savoury pancakes we suggest Riesling, such as Definition Mosel.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 10.5%
Find here: £11.99 (£9.99 Mix Six price)
WHISKY
Old Fashioned
Pancakes on the savoury side, especially if there are crispy strips of bacon involved, will go nicely with an Old Fashioned. There’s just something about the ridiculously decadent combination of subtle vanilla, the warmth of bitters, those smoky notes and the bacon that makes this an absolute indulgence – exactly what Pancake Day is about.
You can find the traditional Old Fashioned recipe here, as well as other variations that may strike you as a suitable dance partner for your pancakes – the Maple Old Fashioned is definitely worth a go.
CIDER
There’s a tradition in France to enjoy Crêpes and cider together, particularly with savoury options so if you want to do as the French do then give it a go. Also, if you happen to be making them, Breton-style buckwheat pancakes are a particularly good match for dry ciders.
The sweeter ciders using tropical fruits or berries would probably be too much for whatever topping you have, but any dry pear or apple-fleshy style with an easy-going sweetness and enough acidity will refresh the palate in-between bites.
Size: 500ml
ABV: 6.8%
Find here: £2.40
For more food and drinks pairing advice, check out our guides on Thai food and Indian cuisine too!