Irish Pancake

The Irish Pancake is a simple, two-ingredient concoction that delivers exactly what it promises: a boozy, dessert-like experience. It marries the rich, malty notes of stout beer with the sweet, buttery flavor of butterscotch liqueur. This is a comforting, easy-drinking mix, often served as a shot or a casual pour. It’s typically ordered by those looking for something sweet, approachable, and a little different from a standard beer or cocktail, making it a hit in relaxed settings.

Irish Pancake

4.55 from 22 votes

Calories: 152kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 2 oz Stout Beer
▢ 2 oz Butterscotch Liqueur

Instructions

▢
Mix equal parts of Guinness and Buttershots in a cocktail glass (or mug. shot glass etc). and serve.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 152kcal (8%)

Where it came from

This isn’t a classic cocktail with a storied past or a specific inventor. The Irish Pancake likely emerged from the modern casual bar scene or home drinking, a testament to its simple construction and appealing flavor profile. It’s a playful, low-effort mix, probably born from experimentation with popular liqueurs and common beer styles, rather than a formal cocktail development.

The Irish Pancake fits into the broad category of two-ingredient spirit and beer mixes, similar in concept to a Black Velvet, which combines stout with champagne, or even a Boilermaker, which pairs a shot with a beer. What sets it apart is its dessert-like sweetness and the specific combination of a creamy stout with a rich, candy-flavored liqueur, giving it a unique profile among its relatives.

You’d typically find this drink in a casual pub, a college bar, or at a laid-back house party. It’s not a cocktail you’d expect to see on the menu of a high-end lounge, but rather a straightforward pour for when you want something sweet and easy, without any pretense. It's a solid choice for a night in with friends or a low-key gathering.

What it tastes like

On the palate, the Irish Pancake opens with the immediate sweetness of butterscotch, reminiscent of caramel and butter toffee. This quickly transitions into the roasted malt and subtle bitterness of the stout, which cuts through the initial sweetness. The finish is a creamy, slightly lingering blend of both, with the stout’s characteristic dry, roasty notes balancing the liqueur’s sugary richness.

At roughly 9.6% ABV, the Irish Pancake sits comfortably above a standard beer, which typically hovers around 4-5%. It’s less potent than many spirit-forward cocktails, often in the 15-20% range, making it a moderately boozy option. Think of it as a slightly stronger, sweeter beer with a dessert-like kick, providing a pleasant warmth without being overwhelming.

The technique

Building an Irish Pancake is as straightforward as it gets. Start with chilled stout beer and butterscotch liqueur. Pour equal parts of each into your chosen glass. A simple stir with a bar spoon or even just a quick swirl of the glass will suffice to combine the ingredients. Serve it immediately to maintain its ideal temperature and effervescence.

The most important technique here is temperature. Both the stout and the butterscotch liqueur should be well chilled before mixing. Serving this drink warm or at room temperature will make it taste flat and syrupy, losing the refreshing contrast of the stout and the crispness of the butterscotch. Keep it cold, always, for the best flavor and mouthfeel.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Stout Beer

Use: A dry Irish stout like Guinness or Murphy’s is the traditional choice, offering a creamy texture and roasted malt notes. Other dark, less hoppy stouts or porters can also work well.
Skip: Avoid hoppy beers like IPAs or light lagers. Their flavor profiles will clash with the butterscotch, creating an unbalanced and unpleasant drink.
Why: The stout provides the essential creamy body, malty depth, and a touch of bitterness that grounds the sweetness of the liqueur, giving the drink its ‘Irish’ character and balancing the ‘pancake’ flavor.

Butterscotch Liqueur

Use: Brands like Buttershots are ideal, delivering a clear, sweet, and distinctly buttery candy flavor. Look for any reputable butterscotch liqueur.
Skip: Do not use non-alcoholic butterscotch syrup or sauce. It will not provide the necessary alcohol content and will result in an overly thick, sickly sweet drink lacking complexity.
Why: This ingredient is the hero for the ‘pancake’ aspect of the drink. It provides the dominant sweet, rich, and buttery flavor that defines the cocktail and contrasts beautifully with the stout.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Irish Pancake Shot

A smaller, quicker dose of the same flavor.: Simply reduce the quantities to 1 oz of each ingredient and serve in a shot glass for a concentrated, potent taste.

Creamy Pancake

Adds an extra layer of richness and a touch more Irish spirit.: Introduce 0.5 oz of Irish cream liqueur along with the stout and butterscotch for an even creamier, more dessert-like experience.

Spiced Pancake

A warming twist with a hint of baking spice.: Garnish with a light dusting of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to add an aromatic, holiday-spice dimension to the sweet and malty profile.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Stout Beer?

A dark porter or even a dark lager can be a decent substitute, though the creamy texture and roasted notes won’t be quite the same.

No Butterscotch Liqueur?

A caramel liqueur or a sweet coffee liqueur like Kahlua can offer a similar sweet, dessert-like profile, though the specific butterscotch flavor will be absent.

No cocktail glass?

Any small glass, a mug, or even a standard shot glass will work perfectly fine. The serving vessel is less important than the contents for this drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Irish Pancake?

The Irish Pancake is made with two simple ingredients: stout beer and butterscotch liqueur.

Is the Irish Pancake actually Irish?

The ‘Irish’ part comes from the use of stout beer, typically an Irish stout. The ‘Pancake’ refers to the sweet, buttery flavor from the butterscotch liqueur, reminiscent of pancakes with syrup.

Is it a shot or a drink?

It can be served as either. While often made as a quick shot, it can also be enjoyed as a small, dessert-style drink in a cocktail glass or a mug.

What does an Irish Pancake taste like?

It tastes like a sweet, creamy, and malty dessert. You get strong notes of butterscotch and caramel, balanced by the roasted bitterness and smooth texture of the stout.

Can I make an Irish Pancake with other beers?

While stout is traditional and provides the best balance, you could experiment with other dark, malty beers. Avoid anything too hoppy or light, as it won’t pair well with the butterscotch.

Is the Irish Pancake strong?

With an ABV around 9.6%, it’s moderately strong. It’s stronger than a typical beer but generally less potent than many spirit-forward cocktails.

What kind of stout should I use for an Irish Pancake?

A dry Irish stout like Guinness or Murphy’s is ideal. Its creamy texture and roasted notes complement the butterscotch perfectly.

Can I make an Irish Pancake ahead of time?

No, it’s best made fresh. The carbonation from the stout will dissipate if mixed too far in advance, and the drink will lose its desired texture and freshness.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read