This Tom and Jerry Cocktail recipe is an old fashioned drink perfect for Christmas! It's made with homemade batter, milk, rum, and brandy.
The Tom and Jerry Cocktail is a Midwestern staple come Christmastime. It's a warm drink that's a little sweet and tastes and feels like nostalgia.
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 homemade batter, hot milk, rum and brandy, and garnished with nutmeg. 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.
Jump to:
- What Is A Tom and Jerry Cocktail?
- What Alcohol Is Used In A Tom and Jerry?
- Ingredients For Tom and Jerry Cocktail
- How To Make Tom and Jerry Batter
- How To Make Batter Without Raw Eggs
- How To Make A Tom and Jerry Cocktail
- What To Serve With This Holiday Cocktail
- How Long Does Tom and Jerry Batter Last?
- Can The Batter Be Frozen?
- Tom and Jerry 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. The batter is combined with hot milk, rum, brandy, and garnished with nutmeg.
It's creamy, boozy, and lightly sweetened. A Tom and Jerry is served in a glass warmed with hot water. In the old days it was often served in a punch bowl and enjoyed around the holidays.
The Tom and Jerry cocktail is thought to have been originally created by British journalist Pierce Egan to coincide with the release of his stage play, 'Tom and Jerry, Or Life In London' in 1821.
I'm not sure how the drink became so popular in the upper Midwest, but that's what happened.
It's similar to eggnog, except that the Tom and Jerry is made with fewer ingredients and is overall a bit lighter and less thick and creamy. Eggnog is often served cold, whereas a Tom and Jerry is always served warm.
No two Tom and Jerry recipes are the same - Every family has their own unique version and all of them are delicious. As mentioned, this recipe is the one my family has been enjoying for years.
What Alcohol Is Used In A Tom and Jerry?
This recipe calls for both rum and brandy.
Any variety of quality white (also known as silver) rum works great. Feel free to use a quality dark rum for a slightly deeper flavor profile.
You can use any quality brandy you like. Cognac can also be used in place of brandy.
Ingredients For Tom and Jerry Cocktail
Here's what you'll need to make it.
- 2 Pasteurized Eggs
- 1 ¾ cups Powdered Sugar
- ¼ tsp. Baking Soda
- ½ oz. Rum
- Whole Milk
- Water
- Rum
- Brandy
- Nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
How To Make Tom and Jerry Batter
The one thing that all Tom and Jerry recipes have in common is a sweetened batter that is made with eggs (some recipes call for just the egg whites and others both the yolks and the whites) and sugar, usually powdered sugar.
This version is made with eggs (both the egg whites and yolks), powdered sugar, baking soda, and rum.
All that's needed to prepare it is to combine the eggs and powdered sugar with a mixer and then to add the baking soda and rum and stir to combine.
It should be pointed out that this Tom and Jerry batter is made with raw eggs. It's important to keep the batter refrigerated to ensure food safety procedures.
Consult this guide from Foodsafety.gov if you are concerned about the safety of raw eggs.
Use pasteurized eggs if possible in order to follow food safety best practices.
- To make the batter, add 2 pasteurized eggs to the mixing bowl of a stand mixer (you can also use a hand mixer). Using the whisk attachment, beat the eggs on medium speed for about 30 seconds.
- The powdered sugar is added in stages. Add ½ cup of powdered sugar and beat on medium speed until combined, scraping down any excess powdered sugar that gets stuck on the sides of the bowl and then add another ½ cup of powdered sugar and continue to mix until combined.
- 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 to the bowl. The goal is to add enough powdered sugar to stiffen the batter. According to the recipe, 'it will seem like a lot'. Continue to mix until the batter is slightly stiff and completely combined.
- Place the batter in the fridge until needed.
How To Make Batter Without Raw Eggs
If you have any concerns about the use of raw eggs, it's totally possible to prepare the batter by cooking the eggs first.
The safe temperature for eggs is 160 degrees Fahrenheit and the best way to measure the temperature of food is to use a food thermometer.
The process of preparing the batter while cooking the eggs is much the same as it is preparing the raw batter.
It's a little tricky in that you have to watch the temperature closely so that the egg mixture just reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit and does not go above it, or the eggs will start to cook.
If the eggs begin to cook, the batter will become clumpy and resemble scrambled eggs.
- To make the batter, add 2 pasteurized eggs to the mixing bowl of a stand mixer (you can also use a hand mixer). Using the whisk attachment, beat the eggs on medium speed for about 30 seconds.
- The powdered sugar is added in stages. Add ½ cup of powdered sugar and beat on medium speed until combined, scraping down any excess powdered sugar that gets stuck on the sides of the bowl and then add another ½ cup of powdered sugar and continue to mix until combined.
- Continue mixing and then add another ¾ cup of powdered sugar to the bowl. Continue to mix until the batter is slightly stiff and completely combined.
- Pour the batter into a sauce pan and heat to medium-low. Using a whisk, stir the mixture constantly to prevent it from burning.
- Continue to cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly. Using a food thermometer, check the temperature of the batter. Once it reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the sauce pan from the stove top.
- Add ¼ tsp. baking soda and ½ oz. of rum to the batter and stir until completely combined.
- Allow the mixture to cool completely before use or before transferring to the refrigerator for storage.
How To Make A Tom and Jerry Cocktail
According to my uncle's old bartender's guide, the secret to a good Tom and Jerry 'is a warm mug and stiff batter'.
- The next step is to heat a mug with hot water. You can use the microwave or heat the water in a tea kettle.
- Pour the hot water into the mug and allow it sit for a few minutes, warming it up. You can use any variety of mug you like. A regular coffee mug or glass cocktail mug will work.
If you've got a vintage Tom and Jerry serving set, which usually includes a punch bowl and glasses, all the better.
- The next step is to heat the milk. Again, you can use the microwave or heat it in a sauce pan on the stove top. I recommend using whole milk to make this recipe. It provides the drink with a rich flavor and texture.
- Empty the mug of the hot water and add 1 Tbsp. of the batter to it. Feel free to add more batter if you prefer a sweeter drink. 1 Tbsp. of batter makes a 'semi sweet' drink.
- Add 3 Tbsp. of the warmed milk to the mug and stir until the batter dissolves.
- Add 1 oz. of rum to the mug and stir until combined.
- Fill the glass with warmed milk, leaving a bit of room at the top.
- Add ½ oz. of brandy to the mug.
- Garnish the drink with some nutmeg. Freshly grated nutmeg is best, but you can use any nutmeg that you've got on hand.
What To Serve With This Holiday Cocktail
This is a great cocktail to serve with appetizers and snacks for any holiday party. It's perfect with both sweet and savory treats.
When it comes to savory appetizers, I love these maple spiced roasted nuts, feta stuffed dates, mushroom gruyere tartlets, and gruyere prosciutto tartlets.
Looking for some treats to enjoy with your cocktail? Check out these recipes!
- Chocolate Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
- Maple Baklava Bites
- Peppermint Cheesecake Cups
- Baileys Chocolate Doughnuts
- Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
- Pistachio Panna Cotta
How Long Does Tom and Jerry Batter Last?
Tom and Jerry batter should last 2-3 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
It's best to use the batter immediately after preparing it, or within a few days.
Make sure to stir the batter after it has been stored in the fridge, as it tends to separate a bit.
Can The Batter Be Frozen?
I do not recommend freezing this Tom and Jerry batter.
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Tom and Jerry Cocktail
Equipment
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 2 pasteurized eggs
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ tsp. baking soda
- ½ oz. rum
- whole milk heated
- water heated
- rum white or dark
- brandy can sub Cognac
- nutmeg freshly grated if possible
Instructions
For The Batter:
- Beat 2 pasteurized eggs thoroughly using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer.Add ½ cup powdered sugar and mix until completely combined. Scrape the sides of bowl and add another ½ cup powdered sugar and mix until combined.
- Add ¼ tsp. of baking soda and ½ oz. of rum to the batter and mix until completely combined.
- Add another ¾ cup of powdered sugar and beat until stiff.
- Place the mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator until needed.Make sure to stir the batter before using if it has been sitting in the fridge, as it may separate a bit.
If Cooking The Egg Base First:
- If you are concerned about raw egg safety, use pasteurized eggs and/or cook the batter first.Beat 2 eggs thoroughly using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer. Add ½ cup powdered sugar and mix until completely combined. Scrape the sides of bowl and add another ½ cup powdered sugar and mix until combined.
- Cook the mixture on medium-low for 5 minutes or so, stirring constantly. Continue to cook until the mixture reaches 160 Fahrenheit (this can be checked using a food thermometer). Cook just until it reaches 160 degrees and make sure not to overcook the mixture, or it will burn and the eggs will scramble. The mixture should be thick and creamy, kind of like a custard.Remove it from the stove top and allow to cool completely.
- Add ¼ tsp. of baking soda and ½ oz. of rum to the batter and mix until completely combined.Allow the mixture to cool completely before adding to drinks or transferring to the fridge for storage.The mixture may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
- Follow the recipe as directed above from this point.
For The Drink:
- Fill a mug or coffee cup with hot water and allow to sit for a few minutes.
- Heat 1 cup or so of whole milk. The milk may be heated in the microwave or on the stove top.
- Once the mug is heated, discard the hot water and add 1 Tbsp. of the batter to the mug (feel free to add more batter if you prefer a sweeter drink).Add 3 Tbsp. of the heated milk to the batter and stir until the batter dissolves.
- Add 1 oz. of rum and stir until combined.
- Fill the mug with the heated milk, leaving a bit of room at the top.
- Top drink off with ½ oz. of brandy.
- To Serve: Grate or sprinkle nutmeg on the top of the drink.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
Yummy. Rum. or should I say Rummy! 🙂
Christine
That's for sure!
Erin
This sounds like a perfect holiday drink!
Christine
It really is!
Camilla Hawkins
Sounds utterly delicious, a bit like what we call egg nog in the UK only that's served cold. I do like the idea of a hot comforting drink which this is! Bookmarking & pinning for the Winter:-)
Christine
Hi Camilla - This is definitely a great comforting drink for the winter months - Enjoy! 🙂
Betty
I'm confused by the cooked egg base when it says to add the milk and sugar while cooking the eggs???
Christine
Hi Betty - I realize that these instructions were very confusing, so I updated the recipe with instructions that are more clear.
This is one of those old fashioned drinks that calls for raw eggs, which I thought might be a concern for some, so I've tried to add an option that calls for cooking the eggs first. The recipe (as it was given to me) does not call for cooking the eggs (most Tom and Jerry recipes don't), but I wanted to add that option just in case.
Hope that helps!