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!
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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.
Combine the Tom and Jerry batter with hot water or milk, then add 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 eggnog, you're not far off. Both drinks contain eggs and feature similar spices. The main difference is that people usually enjoy eggnog cold, while they serve a Tom and Jerry warm.
😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Enjoy this festive Tom and Jerry drink at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's celebrations!
- 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.
- Prepare the Tom and Jerry batter ahead of time and store it 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 it can also be left out if you will be serving it to children or to those who don't drink alcohol.
🔖 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 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 the 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 filling it with hot water. Let it sit for a minute, then discard 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 the 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.
Raw Egg Warning
Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk of foodborne illness. Pregnant women should be extra careful. Please see this FDA article for more info!
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
Because Tom and Jerry batter contains raw eggs, store it in the refrigerator for no longer than 3-4 days. After this time, the risk of foodborne illness (such as Salmonella) increases.
Yes, it can; however, for the best flavor and texture, use your frozen Tom and Jerry mix within 3 months. After this time, the quality and texture may start to deteriorate.
Transfer the frozen batter to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw for several hours or overnight. This is the safest method, as it ensures the batter stays at a safe temperature during the defrosting process.
After the batter has thawed, give it a good stir to recombine any ingredients that may have separated during freezing. Sometimes, the consistency can change slightly after freezing, so stirring helps the batter regain some of its original texture.
👩🏼🍳 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 helps you keep track of how long you've stored the mix.
- If you don't have rum or brandy, try whisky!
Looking for other fun holiday recipes? Try making marron glace (candied chestnuts)!
🍹More Holiday Recipes
If you enjoy this Tom and Jerry drink recipe, be sure to try these other alcoholic beverages!
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📖 Recipe
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Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- 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.
- 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.
- Use a spatula to fold the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture until completely blended. Pour Tom & Jerry batter into your serving bowl and sprinkle with additional freshly grated nutmeg.
- 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 to 3 tablespoons of batter to your mug.
- Pour ½-1 ounce of rum, and ½-1 ounce of brandy over the batter, then fill the cup to the rim with scalded milk or hot water. Stir to combine, then sprinkle with more freshly grated nutmeg.
Nutrition
Notes
- Start with ½ ounce each of cognac and rum, then add more if you prefer a stronger drink.
- Store leftover 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 without having to thaw and refreeze the entire batch a number of 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!
Kris Darrah says
Perfection. Made this exactly as written except I was out of all spice. I substituted pumpkin pie mix. I will be making this again. Thank you for an excellent recipe that doesn't take a pound of butter or three pounds of sugar. love it.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Kris! I appreciate the review, enjoy!
Ruby Briseno says
It was my very first time making this. I would definitely recommend this recipe. My husband and I are enjoying this as I type this out
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Ruby, welcome to the Tom & Jerry tradition. Merry Chrismas!
Sarah says
What an underrated Holiday drink! I thought eggnog was good, this is far better as it’s WARM but still presents that same cozy spice.
Hilda Sterner says
Right? I had one last night to ease my sore throat.Thanks for the review!
Mary Haugen says
We love these drinks. Alway have over Christmas for friends and family. We had our parents make these. My grandma brought for dinner. Children had batter and hot water added and we thought they were great.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks for the comment and review, Mary! I just had a cookie decorating party yesterday with some friends and served them Tom and Jerry's. They were a hit!
Kathy Fisher says
Wow. Absolutely delicious. Super wonderful. The very best holiday drink I've ever had. Thank you Hilda.
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you, Kathy, so glad you liked it! ♥️
Kelly Methey says
You come up with the most interesting and informative recipes! Can’t wait to try this!
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Kelly, I just love learning about old traditions like this and sharing them with my readers!