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Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, is all about indulgence. Some people like a stack in the morning, others like to flip with friends in the evening – but if you’re here, it’s probably because you’re after something more this year.
That’s right, it doesn’t matter whether you love a classic sugar and lemon topping, or if cheese and ham are your jam, it’s time to pair the proper wine with your pancake choice. Just like any other food, the right tipple can enhance the flavours of your meal, and this guide will make sure you hit knock-out flavour combinations to impress.
Let’s get flipping into it.
What wine goes with pancakes? A simple guide
As with typical wine pairing, you’ve got to think about flavour profiles. We’ve broken down our guide into sweet and savoury options so you can easily jump to your favourite style. We’ve also included options for other types of drinks, like sparkling wines, meads and liqueurs, so you can really mix up your pairings, wines and pancakes.
Sweet pancakes
The classic sugar and lemon
Nothing says Pancake Day like a sugar and lemon pancake. This simple, zesty treat deserves a drink that can complement its bright citrus notes. A delicate but slightly sweet wine like Elderflower wine or a Bacchus white is all you need. These wines pair perfectly with the pancakes, refreshing your palate without overpowering the dish. And if you’re celebrating, a sparkling English Brut Reserve is a decadent choice, complementing your pancakes with its own lemon and green apple notes, but rounding off the experience with a creamy mousse finish.
Fruit pancakes
If you love to scatter chopped fruit onto your pancakes, you should pair with a wine with acidity to balance the sweetness. A Chardonnay can work wonders with rhubarb and apple pancakes because of its rich body and acidity. A Bacchus Block white adds a crisp, aromatic quality that complements berry pancakes, bringing out the fresh fruit flavours.
Maple syrup pancakes
If you like it super sweet, you either want a wine pairing that cuts through the sweetness of your pancakes with acidity, or you want to go all in and drink sweet, too. A fizzy Blanc de Blancs is the perfect cut-through agent to balance out the sweetness of the syrup with an elegant touch. And for sugar-junkies, a rich Cherry Brandy Liqueur is sure to make your mouth water. Its warm complexity, along with the depth of flavour from maple syrup will satisfy your cravings for sure.
Chocolate pancakes
Chocolate and wine are a match made in heaven, so if you’re considering spreading or shaving chocolate over your pancakes this year, pair them with Strawberry Wine. Its fruity sweetness and delicate berry notes will balance the richness of the chocolate, while the fresh acidity prevents things from feeling too heavy. Equally, if you choose dark chocolate, go with a Pinot Noir. Its savoury spice and smoke finish will round off the bitterness of the chocolate perfectly.
Savoury pancakes
Cheese and ham pancakes
So you don’t have a sweet-tooth – then you can’t beat cheese and ham. You may already be more familiar with wines that pair well with these foods, especially if you’re a cheese board regular. You don’t want to compete with the rich and salty flavours, so a crisp Shoreline white or a Pinot Noir are your best bets for this wine and pancake pairing. Their light structures and bright acidity won’t overpower the savoury ingredients, keeping the umami flavours front and centre with refreshing overtones.
Mushroom pancakes
If you want a strong umami pick-me-up, then mushroom pancakes may be for you. And these fungi pancakes are the perfect partner for something other than wine, with soft tannins and a fruity profile. We’d recommend a Ginger mead or Spiced mead, as both will bring a balance of sweetness and spice that complements the earthiness of the mushrooms.
Spinach and ricotta pancakes
It’s almost like pretending to eat a pizza. These light and savoury pancakes need acidity to cut through the rich creamy, cheesy flavour. A Somerset Cider Brandy will give you rich, apple-based notes that contrast with the creamy spinach, ricotta mix beautifully. And if you prefer wine, a Bacchus White has a herbal quality that will work wonderfully, too.
Extra choices and general rules: Champagne, mead, cider and more
We’ve already given you a little more than just wine pairings with pancakes, but here are some general rules to follow if you want to mix things up even more.
1) Sparkling wines can pair well with either sweet or savoury pancakes. The acidity and bubbles help cleanse the palate between bites
2) Cider is best friends with savoury pancakes, especially where cheese or apple is at play
3) Meads balance out savoury flavours whilst adding a wonderful complexity to the pairing
4) Fruit liqueurs have a richness that can bring out any pancake toppings that have a bit of spice or sweetness to them – particularly banana or cinnamon pancakes.
How to pair wine into your pancakes
Why stop at pairing wine with pancakes when you can actually incorporate them into the pancakes themselves? For a fun twist on classic pancakes, add in a Champagne or sparkling white wine to your recipe – they add crisp fruit flavours and a lightness to the batter, and up the sophistication of your Shrove Tuesday a bucket load.
Fizzy pancakes recipe
Ingredients:
- 315g all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 150ml dry sparkling wine
- 50g granulated sugar
- 180ml milk
- 1 large egg
- 30g melted butter
Method:
1) In a large bowl, mix up the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and salt)
2) Add the egg, melted butter, sparkling wine, and milk then whisk together until well combined
3) Let the batter sit for 5 minutes
4) Heat a pan over medium heat and grease it with butter or oil
5) Pour the batter into the pan in roughly 80ml portions (or about 1/3 cup), cooking each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown
6) Serve with your favourite toppings like powdered sugar, berries, whipped cream or maple syrup
7) Enjoy with a glass of the sparkling wine on the side for an extra treat – if there’s any left after cooking them…just be careful when you’re flipping!
The bottom line: wine and pancakes are a match made in heaven
No matter what your favourite flavour profile is, there’s a perfect wine pairing for your pancakes that will make this Shrove Tuesday stand out. From sweet, bubbly wines like Blanc de Blancs to the unique complexity of Ginger Mead, the possibilities are endless. And for you adventurous types, we’ve even given you a new recipe to try out for a decadent treat!
So why not turn your Pancake Day into something extraordinary – go on, go grab yourself a bottle of your favourite beverage and enjoy your best Pancake Day yet!
