How to make Pancake Day a little more boozy

From crepe-inspired cocktails to spirit-infused scotches, with Shrove Tuesday upon us, we have just the trick for anyone looking to make Pancake Day that little bit more exciting. 

Food and drinks pairings are all about balance, and when it comes to pancakes, toppings are key to understanding what to drink them with.

If you are going all out this Pancake Day and committing to a three-course pancake extravaganza, you will need the perfect pairing for a savoury course as well as sweet.

Savoury Pancakes

For those with a penchant for savoury crepes, cheese and ham is a logical starting point – and a classic combination. Patrick Schmitt MW says of the topping:

“If you’re going the savoury route, and stuffing your pancake with cheese and ham, I suggest a rich white wine, the most obvious being a classic barrel-aged Chardonnay from a warm climate. Such a wine style won’t be overpowered by the flavours in the food, while the dry, bright finish of well-made Chardonnay will refresh the mouth after all that mouth-coating cheese.”

Sweet Pancakes

For the more traditional among us, sweet pancakes are the way to go.

“For me, there’s no better filling for pancakes than a generous squeeze of lemon and a sprinkling of sugar, making for an indulgent, zesty feast,” says Patrick Schmitt MW.

“When it comes to finding a partner for this, I’m drawn to the sweeter end of the Champagne spectrum, where citrus and sweetness, along with fizz, are combined to deliver something mouth-filling and refreshing.”

Jane Peyton, founder of online drinks education provider School of Booze, agrees that a sweet and sparkling beverage is the perfect accompaniment to lemon and sugar pancakes, and recommends matching with a dry sparkling cider.

Peyton also recommends pairing a Nutella pancake with a porter beer “which has chocolate and coffee tasting notes”, and pink sparkling wine alongside pancakes served with berries or fruit.

Lemon and sugar with a twist

For something a little different, soft drinks brand Fentimans has created a lemon drizzle pancake recipe using its Victorian Lemonade. For something a bit boozier you could always try adding Simply Spiked Lemonade, the new joint venture from Molston Coors and Coca Cola, to spice things up.

Pancake in a shot glass

These pancake shots do not actually contain any pancake mixture, luckily, but taste just as good. Just four ingredients are needed to whip up these dessert-inspired shots. You will need a hazelnut liqueur (we recommend Frangelico) and a splash of Grand Marnier, poured over a slice of lemon and sugar. Could it be simpler?

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