panaché
/pa.na.ʃe/masculine
The French word for shandy is panaché.
While the word can also describe a mixture of different colored items or a medley of fruits, in a drinking context, it denotes this specific beer-and-lemonade blend.
Meaning: mixture of lemonade and beer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word panaché comes from the past participle of the verb panacher, which means to mix or blend different elements together.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine and is used with the masculine indefinite article un to form un panaché.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables: /pa.na.ʃe/.
Did you know?
- The word panaché is closely related to the word for a plume of feathers on a helmet, as both refer to a multicolored or variegated appearance.
- While a panaché is a beer and lemonade mix, France has a similar popular drink called a monaco which adds a dash of grenadine or peppermint syrup for extra color and flavor.
- The lemonade used to make a panaché is not the still, sugary lemon drink often found in English-speaking countries, but a sparkling, less sweet version called limonade.
Examples in context
- Un panaché bien frais, quel bonheur !A nice cold shandy, what a treat!This sentence shows how to express enjoyment when ordering or receiving a cold panaché.
- Je voudrais une bière panachée, s'il vous plaît.I would like a shandy, please.
- Je veux une bière panachée.I want a shandy.
- Je veux une bière panachée, s'il te plaît.I want a shandy, please.
- Nous avons une bonne sélection de bières panachées.We have a good selection of shandies.
- Je vais commander un panaché.I am going to order a shandy.
- Est-ce qu'il reste un panaché ?Is there a shandy left?
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are ordering drinks at a cafe.
- ManonQu'est-ce que tu veux boire, Hugo ?What do you want to drink, Hugo?
- HugoJe voudrais un panaché, ça me tente.I would like a shandy, I feel like having one.
- ManonD'accord, je vais commander pour nous deux.Okay, I will order for both of us.
- HugoMerci beaucoup, Manon !Thank you very much, Manon!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shandy” translations and entries panaché, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
