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This warm Tom and Jerry Cocktail punch is an old fashioned recipe perfect for Christmas! It's made with homemade batter, rum, and brandy.
The Tom and Jerry Cocktail is a family tradition for me. Any holiday get together that occurs this time of the year includes my uncle whipping up a batch of Tom and Jerry batter and quietly slipping a coffee cup full of this freshly mixed cocktail into your hand.
We sit around a big table and swap stories, eat snacks, sip on Tom and Jerry's, and laugh.
What is a Tom and Jerry? It's an old fashioned winter cocktail that's full of rum and brandy. I'm not sure if the Tom and Jerry is a 'my family' thing, or a small town thing, or a Midwestern thing because most people I've talked to have never heard of it.
I managed to get my uncle to share his recipe with me. It's taken from an old bartender's guide. It kind of feels like some 'ancient knowledge' has been shared with me and I'm here to share it with you.
This is a fine cocktail - It's warm, a little sweet, and tastes like nostalgia.
Jump to:
- What Is A Tom and Jerry Cocktail?
- How To Make A Tom and Jerry Cocktail
- Which Alcohol Is Used For This Cocktail?
- What To Serve With This Christmas Cocktail
- How Long Does Tom and Jerry Batter Last?
- Tom and Jerry Christmas Cocktail
What Is A Tom and Jerry Cocktail?
A Tom and Jerry is a warm Christmas cocktail that is made from a batter consisting mainly of powdered sugar and eggs.
It's like a cross between eggnog and a Hot Toddy.
In the old days it was often served in a punch bowl and enjoyed around the holidays.
The first step is to make the batter. The batter includes eggs, powdered sugar, baking soda, and rum.
Apparently no two Tom and Jerry recipes are the same - Every recipe I found online was a little bit different. Most recipes called for the eggs to be separated. But, I'm sticking with tradition here and following the recipe as directed.
- Using a KitchenAid mixer or hand mixer, beat 2 pasteurized eggs thoroughly.
- The next step is to add the powdered sugar in stages. Start with ½ cup and mix until combined. Scrape any excess powdered sugar into the bowl and then add another ½ cup of powdered sugar and continue mixing.
- Scrape the sides of the bowl again and add ¼ tsp. baking soda and ½ oz. of rum to the batter.
- Continue mixing and then add another ¾ cup of powdered sugar. The goal is to add enough powdered sugar to stiffen the batter. According to the recipe, 'it will seem like a lot'.
- Place the batter in the fridge until needed.
Consult this guide from Foodsafety.gov if you are concerned about the safety of raw eggs. *See recipe notes for information about cooking the egg base first.
How To Make A Tom and Jerry Cocktail
The secret to a good Tom and Jerry 'is a warm mug and stiff batter'.
- The next step is to heat the mug with hot water. You can use the microwave or heat the water in a tea kettle.
- Pour the hot water into the mugs and let them sit for a few minutes. You can use any kind of mug you like. A regular coffee mug or glass cocktail mug will work.
Apparently, you can find vintage Tom and Jerry punch bowls with matching cups online. Or, you can find them by raiding your grandparents' kitchen cupboards. Either way...
How Much Batter Should I Add To The Drink?
- The next step is to heat the milk. Again, you can use the microwave or heat it in a saucepan on the stove top.
- Empty the mugs of the hot water that has been keeping them warm and add a healthy Tbsp. of the batter to it. You can add more batter if you like a sweeter drink. 1 Tbsp. will make a 'semi sweet' drink.
- I don't care for super sweet drinks, so 1 Tbsp. is perfect for me. Dissolve the batter in 3 Tbsp. of the hot milk.
You can add as much or as little batter depending on how sweet you like your drinks.
Which Alcohol Is Used For This Cocktail?
Now for the hard stuff. Don't let this innocent looking drink fool you - It packs some serious punch!
This recipe uses both brandy and rum.
- To the dissolved milk and batter, add 1 oz. of rum. Then fill the glass with hot milk, leaving a little room at the top.
- Add ½ oz. of brandy to top off the drink.
What To Serve With This Christmas Cocktail
The last step is to sprinkle with nutmeg. I recommend grating fresh nutmeg if you can, but regular nutmeg will work just fine.
Add a good amount to the drink because why not? Nutmeg is delicious.
You could add any warming spices you like such as cinnamon, cloves, or cardamom.
Looking for some treats to enjoy with your cocktail? Check out these recipes!
- Chocolate Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
- Coconut Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
- Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
- Baileys Chocolate Glazed Doughnuts
- Peppermint Chocolate Cheesecake Cups
- Crispy Sugar Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie
That's all there is to it. We sat around for years sipping these things wondering what the secret was.
I think every small town in the Midwest has some kind of 'gatekeeper' who holds the recipe. A lot of small town bars serve Tom and Jerry's on Christmas Eve and only Christmas Eve.
There's one guy in town who makes the batter, gives it to the bar, and families like mine wander uptown and then stumble home afterward. It's a lovely tradition. And now you can make it part of yours.
How Long Does Tom and Jerry Batter Last?
You can store the Tom and Jerry batter in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. I would not keep it more than a day or two as it does contain raw eggs.
It's best to use the batter immediately after preparing it.
For a great nonalcoholic drink check out this Strawberry Mojito Mocktail and Cranberry Apple Cider Mocktail!
Love cocktails? Check out these recipes!
- Baileys Affogato Cocktail
- Raspberry Moscow Mule
- Pomegranate Mojito
Looking For More Cocktail Recipes? Don't Miss These!
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Tom and Jerry Christmas Cocktail
Christine Rooney
This warm Tom and Jerry Cocktail punch is an old fashioned recipe perfect for Christmas! It's made with homemade batter, rum, and brandy.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 231 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 pasteurized eggs
- 1 ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ oz rum
- Hot milk
- Hot water
- Rum
- Brandy
- Nutmeg - freshly grated if possible
Instructions
For The Batter:
Beat eggs thoroughly using a KitchenAid or hand mixer. Add ½ cup powdered sugar and mix. Scrape sides of bowl and add another ½ cup powdered sugar and mix.
Add baking soda and ½ oz. rum to the batter and mix.
Add another ¾ cup of powdered sugar and beat until stiff.
Place in fridge until needed.
For The Drink:
Heat glasses with hot water.
Once heated, discard hot water and add a healthy Tbsp. of the batter along with 3 Tbsp. hot milk. Dissolve batter in milk.
Add 1 oz. rum and stir.
Add more hot milk, leaving room on top.
Top drink off with ½ oz. brandy.
Grate or sprinkle nutmeg on the top of the drink.
If Cooking The Egg Base First:
*If you are concerned about raw egg safety, use pasteurized eggs and/or cook the batter first.
Combine eggs and the milk as indicated in the recipe. (Other ingredients, such as sugar may be added at this step.)
Cook the mixture gently to an internal temperature of 160 °F, stirring constantly. The cooking will destroySalmonella, if present. At this temperature, the mixture will firmly coat a metal spoon (but please don’t lick the spoon if the custard is not fully cooked!).
After cooking, allow the mixture to come to room temperature, and chill the mixture before adding the rest of the milk and other ingredients.
Notes
This should make enough batter for 10-15 drinks. Use more or less batter depending on your desired sweetness level.
*This drink contains raw eggs.With eggs and all other raw foods from animals, there is a small possibility of Salmonella food poisoning. The risk is greater for those who are pregnant, elderly or very young and those with medical problems which have impaired their immune systems. These individuals should avoid raw and under cooked animal foods. Consult this guide from Foodsafety.gov for a complete guide to holiday drinks containing raw eggs.
*If you are concerned about raw egg safety, use pasteurized eggs and/or cook the batter first.
To make a cooked egg base:
- Combine eggs and the milk as indicated in the recipe. (Other ingredients, such as sugar may be added at this step.)
- Cook the mixture gently to an internal temperature of 160 °F, stirring constantly. The cooking will destroySalmonella, if present. At this temperature, the mixture will firmly coat a metal spoon (but please don’t lick the spoon if the custard is not fully cooked!).
- After cooking, allow the mixture to come to room temperature, and chill the mixture before adding the rest of the milk and other ingredients.
Nutrition
Calories: 231kcal
Keyword tom and jerry cocktail, tom and jerry drink, tom and jerry christmas cocktail
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