Tom And Jerry Drink Recipe

I'm so excited to share this classic Tom and Jerry drink recipe with you! Before there was Tom and Jerry the cat and mouse, there was this warming Christmas cocktail, dating back to the 1800s! If you love this Tom and Jerry batter recipe, try my eggnog-based Christmas Whiskey Cocktail too!

Last year, while exploring a vintage Christmas market in Montana, I came across an adorable punch bowl set with matching mugs, all adorned with the words "Tom & Jerry." It reminded me of one of my favorite childhood cartoons, but I couldn't understand why the names of the popular cat and mouse were displayed on a punch bowl set.

Not long after, I was watching a very underrated Christmas movie called "Beyond Tomorrow" (1940) with my daughter, Nena, when, lo and behold, they were drinking Tom and Jerry's!

After conducting some research, I discovered that the cocktail "Tom and Jerry" is typically credited to a British journalist named Pierce Egan. Some sources suggest that Egan created the drink in the 1820s to help promote his book and play titled Life in London, which featured two main characters named Tom and Jerry. The play was a success in England and subsequently made its way to the United States in 1823.

Another theory about the origin of the Tom and Jerry cocktail suggests that a famous bartender named Jerry Thomas, who authored The Bar-Tender’s Guide in 1862, created the first recipe for this drink. He is believed to have named it after himself by swapping his first and last names.

From the 1820s to the 1940s, the Tom and Jerry cocktail became a Christmas tradition in the United States, particularly in the upper Midwest. Many families in this region owned a Tom and Jerry punch bowl and cup set that they used to prepare the Tom & Jerry batter needed for this festive drink recipe.

These punch bowl sets have been passed down from generation to generation. If you weren't fortunate enough to inherit one from your parents or grandparents, you can still find them at thrift shops, antique stores, and on eBay, just like I did!

After World War II, the Tom and Jerry cocktail began to fade from mainstream popularity as other cocktails, such as the Margarita and the Martini took center stage. Nevertheless, this cocktail maintained a nostalgic appeal, particularly during the holiday season, for both cocktail enthusiasts and fans of vintage drinks.

I think it’s time to revive traditional activities like roasting chestnuts and enjoying a warm Tom and Jerry cocktail, especially during the holidays. Do you agree?

🥃 What Does A Tom & Jerry Taste Like?

This holiday cocktail consists of a rich, frothy Tom and Jerry batter made with eggs, sugar, and spices (such as cinnamon and nutmeg). Some Tom and Jerry batter recipes call for butter as well.

The Tom and Jerry batter is combined with hot water or milk and a generous pour of rum or brandy. The batter serves as the base, creating a creamy, smooth texture, while the alcohol adds warmth and depth of flavor.

If it sounds like an eggnog you're not far off, since both drinks are egg-based and have similar spices. One distinct difference is eggnog is usually enjoyed cold, while a Tom and Jerry is served warm.

😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe

• This festive Tom and Jerry drink can be enjoyed for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's!
• You can start a new tradition by serving this Tom and Jerry cocktail during the holidays and educating your friends about the history of this drink.
• The Tom and Jerry batter can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Leftover batter can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
• A little alcohol can be added to the batter which helps to preserve it, but can also be left out if you will be serving it to children or to those who don't drink alcohol.

🛒 What You Need For This Recipe

🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions

• Eggs: A dozen fresh eggs
• Sugar: I used caster sugar (baker's sugar) because it has a finer texture. You can substitute granulated sugar or powdered sugar.
• Butter: The butter is optional, but it does make the batter richer and creamier.
• Spices: Ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground allspice, and freshly ground nutmeg to mix in the batter and garnish the finished drink.
• Vanilla: Vanilla extract.
• Alcohol: Dark rum and brandy/cognac.
• Milk or Hot Water: Milk or hot water to mix with the Tom and Jerry batter and alcohol.

☕️ How to Make A Tom and Jerry Drink

Prepare Tom and Jerry Batter

Step 1: Separate egg whites and yolks. Add egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt to a stand mixer bowl, then use a whisk attachment to whip egg whites until stiff peaks form.

Step 2: In a separate large bowl, whisk egg yolks then combine with sugar, softened butter, cinnamon, ¼ of a nutmeg (grated), ground cloves, allspice, and vanilla. Whisk until completely incorporated.

Step 3: Use a spatula to fold the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture until completely blended. Pour Tom and Jerry batter into your serving bowl and sprinkle with additional freshly grated nutmeg.

How to Make A Tom and Jerry Cocktail

Step 4: Warm a Tom and Jerry mug (or another 6-ounce mug) by pouring hot water into it and waiting until it's warmed, then discarding the water. Add 2-3 tablespoons of batter to your mug.

Step 5: Pour ½-1 ounce of rum, and ½-1 ounce of brandy over Tom and Jerry batter, then fill the cup to the rim with scalded milk or hot water. Stir to combine, then sprinkle with freshly grated nutmeg.

Pro Tip: Start with ½ ounce each of brandy and rum, then add more if you prefer a stronger drink.

🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips

• Store leftover Tom and Jerry batter in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• You can also freeze the batter for up to 3 months.
• Consider freezing smaller portions of the batter. This way, you can thaw only what you need to make your Tom and Jerry drink, without having to thaw and refreeze the entire batch several times.
• Always label the container with the date you froze the batter. This will help you keep track of how long the mix has been stored.
• If you don't have rum or brandy, try whisky!