What to drink with your Pancake Day pancakes
What to drink with your Pancake Day pancakes
Obviously it depends whether they're savoury or sweet but there are lots of delicious options
If you’re planning a pancake party tonight have you thought about what to drink? Wine might not seem the obvious pairing, especially with sweet pancakes but give these suggestions a try.
Simple sugar and lemon pancakes
The classic British way. To be honest I prefer them on their own or with an aromatic cup of tea such as Lady Grey or Orange Pekoe but a sweet sparkling wine such as Moscato d’Asti or Asti should work if you don’t overdo the lemon. Or even an off-dry - i.e. extra dry - prosecco. (Yes, weird I know that Extra Dry means sweeter than usual but there you go.)
A sparkling ice-wine would be amazing too if you could get hold of one. (The Canadian winery Inniskillin does one which you can buy from The Whisky Exchange if you’re in London. Not cheap though!)
Pancakes with fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries or blueberries
A sparkling rosé with a touch of sweetness pairs well with this lighter style of pancake topping/filling. Prosecco rosé would fit the bill or try a South African brut rosé like Graham Beck - slightly drier but with a delicious fruitiness that will pick up on the berries
Pancakes with golden or maple syrup
Tricky especially if the topping is maple syrup and the dish also includes bacon. Black tea or a black Americano coffee for me but them I don’t have a particularly sweet tooth. If you do try an Australian liqueur muscat
Pancakes with Nutella
My grandkids’ favourite! They drink milk with it but you could ramp up the hazelnut with Frangelico or offset it with a nutty tawny port.
Pancakes with a cherry, apricot or other fruit compote
Very good with a complementary fruit beer - kriek with cherry-filled pancakes, a peach or apricot-flavoured beer with apricot filled ones.
With apple and cinnamon filled crepes you could serve a conventional dessert wine - cooked apples suit most of them but I'd be tempted by a youngish Tokaji or a moscatel.
Savoury pancakes with cheese and ham or spinach
Dry or sparkling cider is a great match for Breton-style pancakes, particularly if they’re made with buckwheat. Otherwise a smooth dry white wine such as a Pinot Blanc, Soave or Gavi will all work fine
Smoked salmon blinis
Champagne, sparkling wine or iced vodka
Have a fun evening!
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