Spindrift has a long history with food. We got our start by selling our product in local restaurants and shops around Boston and almost everyone on our team is a self-proclaimed foodie. We take food so seriously that it’s almost all we talk about. From our annual Cinco de Mayo potluck at Spindrift HQ to the day we decided to make made-to-order breakfast sandwiches to our competitive chili cook-off to the days(s) we made ice cream out of Spindrift from scratch. We take food so seriously that it’s almost all we talk about. Besides sparkling water, of course.

So, for years, we heard rumors about a certain breakfast recipe by our founder, Bill. There were quiet mentions, whispers, and one-off references around the office. And, like any good urban legend, over time, the story escalated into something mythic.

It all started (probably) with Bill mentioning a few times that he likes to make pancakes for his family on weekends. But somehow it turned into something more. From “have you heard about Bill’s pancakes?” to “Bill has the perfect pancake recipe” or “Bill’s award-winning pancakes” or “you haven’t tried pancakes if you haven’t tried Bill’s recipe” to “oh yeah, once you’ve had these - you never make another pancake again.”

Well, we finally decided to quiet the rumor mill once and for all by going right to the source. We sat down with Bill to get the true story behind the pancakes - and, better yet, see if he’d give up the recipe. So, even if these pancakes weren’t famous before they are now!

Our breakfast Q&A with Bill

When did you first make this recipe? 

Bill: 15 years ago. Approximately around the time my children started arriving. 

So what’s the story behind these pancakes? 

Bill: My kids have always woken up super early, which meant I’d have to wake up and immediately feed all of them fast. So I started making pancakes for them and now it’s a tradition. We make them every Sunday. We used to only make 2 servings but now you have to make 12 because there’s always someone popping up to feed. My youngest son is a huge pancake fan and we eat them everywhere we go. Some of our favorites are: The Barn in Adamsville, RI, Black Eyed Susan’s in Nantucket, and Becky’s Diner in Portland, ME. 

Where did the famous recipe come from?

Bill: It’s an amalgamation of recipes I’ve tried. This one doesn’t use oil which I prefer. 

What is your favorite way to serve pancakes? 

Bill: Sometimes we add chocolate chips, or this past weekend, wild Maine blueberries. They’re always paired with a side of bacon. And always with fried eggs so the yolk can swirl in. Strong coffee is a must (for me). 

Any cooking notes for folks who want to try them at home?

Bill: These pancakes can be quite fluffy! So if you want to know how to make your pancakes fluffy - this might be the recipe for you. But you can also add a bit of water to make them more crepe-like. 

Okay, we know these rank high but what is your favorite breakfast food in general? 

Bill: It’s all so great. Breakfast is the best meal of the day. But I’d have to say Eggs Benedict with my Mom’s hollandaise. Maybe I’ll share that recipe in a future post.

Now, without further adieu…

Bill’s Now-Famous Pancakes Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 7 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2.5 cups of milk
• 1 stick of butter, melted

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in eggs, milk, and melted butter. Stir until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium-high heat. Scoop batter onto the griddle about the size of pancake you’d like (approximately ¼ cup of batter). Cook on one side until bubbles start to appear - then flip. Griddle until golden brown on both sides. Serve immediately topped with your favorite toppings like real maple syrup or seasonal fruit.

Pair with your favorite flavor of Spindrift and a strong cup of coffee. 

Enjoy!

If you’d like to see the recipe in action - watch the video of us making pancakes for the team.