Tom and Jerry Recipe – Brandy Cocktail

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Last Updated on November 28, 2022 by The Noms

This is a family tradition cocktail, the Tom and Jerry drink is one that we have every year! This Tom and Jerry Recipe is the perfect holiday boozy treat that works all season long!

 

Every year after the turkey and sides have been eaten, and about the time everyone starts to get hungry for pie, someone will break out the mixer and the hot water and make up a big batch of hot cocktails called the Tom and Jerry. For us, making the Tom and Jerry recipe is officially the start of the Christmas season! Likewise, our tradition is to start decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, and these Tom and Jerry’s keep flowing at family events until after the New Year.

 

We think vintage cocktail is about to make a big comeback, or at least it should, it’s delicious!

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Why is it Called a Tom and Jerry Drink?

Claimed to be originally created back in the 1840’s as a winter cocktail at St. Louis’s Planter House Hotel by Jerry Thomas. Thomas authored the first cocktail book Bar-Tender’s Guide, How to Mix Drinks back in 1862 and he was considered the godfather of American mixology. In many accounts, Jerry Thomas claims its start as 1847, naming it after himself and “two small white mice” he kept as pets named Tom and Jerry.

 

But, it seems this egg based brandy cocktail recipe has been written down in America since the 1820s. It is sometimes credited to English author Pierce Egan, who write a play of the name of “Tom & Jerry” in 1821. but no recipe records of the same.

So, we can assume it is a descendant of Eggnog, and it was created sometime in the early 19th century, most likely in New England. 

 

It can be a pain in the butt to make, but we think well worth it. Tom and Jerry dedicated bowls (and glasses) were filled with batter each holiday season around the US until the popularity seemed to die down around the turn of the 20th century. The recipe has been reworked by bartenders, as well as us. We have lightened the classic recipe that used to be served in Jay’s family, to make it not as heavy. But, it’s still rich and decadent.

 

Tom & Jerry Drink

The Tom and Jerry recipe is a warm sweet cocktail that can be spiked with brandy and/or rum, and topped with an aromatic burst of nutmeg. It was likely inspired by a boozy version of English eggnog that is served around the Holidays. This warm drink full of spices is perfect sipping on a cold winter’s night. The Tom and Jerry quickly gained favor at saloons and bars with drinkers who wanted a warming tipple.

In our family, the Tom & Jerry was one of Mr. Nom’s grandparents favorite holiday drinks (they even had the little white china mugs that said Tom and Jerry on them)! The Grandparents were always the ones who made the batter, and family gatherings at their house meant that at some point Tom and Jerry’s would be served for all (virgin drinks for the kids of course!).

 

 

 

How do you Make the Tom and Jerry Mix from Scratch?

When we started hosting family gatherings, we decided that we needed to keep up this tradition and serve mugs of Tom and Jerry to our family.

 

 

How to Make a Tom and Jerry

The original recipe does call for a in depth process to make the batter. The batter includes separating the eggs and beating the whites into a foam like meringue while also warming milk on the stove. You won’t regret the work when you are sipping your hot mug of boozy foam.

 

Make sure to stir constantly while adding the hot milk or the batter will curdle.

What is the Difference Between Eggnog and a Tom & Jerry?

 

Today most store bought eggnog is made with cooked eggs and heavy cream. The resulting liquid is a thick custard. It’s a heavy drink, and a Tom and Jerry with warm milk is lighter with a similar flavor.

 

We think this style of Tom and Jerry is a more latte or cappuccino than heavy eggnog. The top has a nice foam like a coffee.

 

Try another warm cocktail, our Toasted Cream Irish Coffee!

Tom & Jerry Ingredients

• Brandy or Rum – or both. Honestly, use what you like. Dark rum, gold rum, spiced rum are all great options. Brandy can be switched up with cognac, apple brandy or pear brandy. Whatever flavors you like!
• Vanilla Extract – a modern addition, but we love the vanilla flavor with the spices.
• Cloves, Cinnamon and Nutmeg – all necessary spices to make this Tom & Jerry the best it can be. This makes for a great warm brandy cocktail recipe! Get some fresh spices here: Cloves, Cinnamon and Nutmeg.
• Eggs – make sure they are fresh and separate the yolks and whites. Use either a hand mixer or stand mixer.
• Powdered Sugar – this is the sweetener we use for the cocktail.
• Milk – 1% or 2% work great. We don’t recommend skim because it won’t be creamy. Also, feel free to add hot water to this too for a larger less creamy drink.

 

 Also, we should mention the elephant in the room. Yes, this drink contains raw eggs. If you feel you can’t do raw eggs, you can buy pasteurized in the shell eggs.

 

Make a big batch of the Tom & Jerry cocktail recipe batter, and it’s perfect for a party!

 

Best Brandy for a Tom & Jerry

For this Tom & Jerry cocktail, we think there are some great brandy options. There are many different kinds of brandy: flavored brandies like apple or pear, VS/VSOP brandies, cognac or Armagnac. All good choices and just use what you would like.

Tips & Tricks

• Alcohol – if you don’t want to use rum and brandy, or 1 of each, other great options would be a rich cognac or Armagnac, bourbon, or spiced rum. Make sure to measure using a jigger!
• Serving – if you have a Tom & Jerry punch bowl and cups, use them! If not, glass mugs and a mixing bowl work great! Heat you mugs by filling them with hot water before getting ready to serve the Tom & Jerry. And always grate nutmeg on top, though!
• Batter – you can prep this a couple days in advance. Just keep in airtight container in the fridge. You can freeze it as well.
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If You Are Looking for More Holiday Recipes, Try These!

• Mini Berry Bites
• Rosemary’s Pear
• Holiday Berry Sparkler
• Caramel Green Apple
• Pine Old Fashioned
• Salted Butterscotch Bourbon Eggnog
• Cranberry Orange Shrub
• Holiday Honey Spiced Punch
• Gingersnap Cocktail
• Holiday Ginger Whiskey Flip
• Sugared Cranberries
• Mistletoe Martini
• Christmas Old Fashioned

 

Cheers!

 

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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Salted Bourbon Butterscotch Eggnog

 

Dutch Baby Pancake with Blueberry Whiskey Sauce

 

Other Warm Holiday Cocktails

• Peppermint Schnapps Hot Chocolate
• Blizzard Cocktail
• Non Alcoholic Mulled Wine
• Feuerzangenbowle
• Hot Gin Cocktail

PIN THIS TOM AND JERRY COCKTAIL RECIPE FOR LATER!

 

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