Tom & Jerry – A Warm, Battered Cocktail

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  • Post last modified:February 18, 2023
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Tom and Jerry is a boozy, creamy, egg-based cocktail that combines brandy and rum with cinnamon, sugar, cloves, and nutmeg to create a delicious and memorable holiday treat. Prepared in batches and meant to be shared, the basic Tom and Jerry batter requires a bit of time to make, but it’s definitely worth the effort.

Bar Tools

  • 1 SMALL MIXING BOWL
  • 1 LARGE MIXING BOWL (or PUNCH BOWL)
  • ELECTRIC MIXER
  • MEASURING CUP
  • MEASURING SPOONS
  • JIGGER
  • MILK FROTHER
  • BARTENDER SPOON

To Serve: coffee mugs

Ingredients 

Batter Ingredients (per batch – 8 to 10 servings):

  • 8 RAW EGGS (pasteurized)
  • ½ TEASPOON CREAM OF TARTAR
  • 2 CUPS SUGAR
  • 1 TSP. GROUND CLOVES
  • 1 TSP. CINNAMON
  • 1 TSP. NUTMEG

Drink Ingredients (per drink):

  • ½ OZ BRANDY
  • ½ OZ DARK RUM
  • 2 OZ MILK (warmed or steamed)

To Garnish: milk foam and ground nutmeg

How to Make 

  1. Carefully separate the eggs, placing the egg whites into the small mixing bowl and the egg yolks into the larger bowl (or punchbowl).
  2. Add the cream of tartar to the egg whites and beat at high speed until stiff peaks form (like a meringue).
  3. In the larger bowl, combine egg yolks, sugar, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  4. Mix on low speed until yolks, sugar and spices are silky smooth.
  5. Gently fold the stiffened egg whites into the egg yolk mixture.
  6. Warm your mugs by filling them with hot water; when the mug is warm to the touch, discard the water and add ½ oz rum, ½ oz cognac, and 4 ounces of Tom and Jerry batter.
  7. Stir to mix.
  8. Add in 2 ounces of warm milk, garnish with a dollop of milk foam and a sprinkle of ground nutmeg.

Nutrition Facts and ABV

  • ABV (alcohol by volume): 5.7%
  • Calories: 309 calories
  • Total carbohydrates: 43.5 grams
  • Total sugar: 43.5 grams
Some spirit recipes aren’t available. As such, some nutrition content may be estimated.

History

Jerry Thomas, the OG of bartending, is often credited with creating the Tom and Jerry cocktail in 1862; however, references to this holiday beverage go back as far as the 1820’s when it was also known as a Copenhagen. Jerry Thomas’s Tom and Jerry recipe called for the astonishing ratio of 5 pounds of sugar to 12 eggs. Fortunately, the recipe has evolved considerably – and the modern-day Tom and Jerry is a well-rounded cocktail that beautifully balances eggy creaminess with the rich flavors of rum, brandy and spices.

FAQ 

What kind of milk works best?

You can use whole, 2% or skim milk. If you don’t wish to use dairy milk, unsweetened almond milk makes a good substitute.

What if I don’t have a milk steamer or frother?

You can warm the milk in the microwave on high for 30 seconds. The drink will be delicious even without the dollop of milk foam – and, if you warm the milk in the serving mugs, there’s no need to prewarm the mugs with hot water.