How to Make Batter for Tom and Jerry Cocktail Recipe

Last Updated on January 29, 2024 by Leah Hall

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 classic Tom and Jerry recipe is officially the start of the Christmas season, especially on a snowy November day! 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 this vintage cocktail is about to make a big comeback, or at least it should, it’s delicious! If it’s your first time making it, make sure to read for tips below.

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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 and rich. But, it’s still creamy and decadent.

The name Tom & Jerry can invoke the memory from the cartoon cat and mouse, too.

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 Jay’s grandparents favorite holiday drinks (they even had the little white china mugs that said Tom and Jerry on them)! (We have a set now, too!) 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 Drink

The original recipe does call for a in depth process to make the batter. But, you won’t regret the work when you are sipping your hot mug of boozy foam.

One note is to make sure to stir constantly while adding the hot milk and water or the batter will curdle. Per mug you only really need a tablespoonful of the above mixture. But, you can always add more of the old-time drink into your Tom and Jerry mugs and we won’t say a word. Or, more alcohol either. ?

Tom & Jerry Ingredients

You might be asking yourself, what is in a Tom and Jerry drink? There aren’t a large amount of ingredients, it just takes time to make this favorite holiday drink.

• 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! Just use good quality ingredients, as they will be prominent in the drink.
• 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 drink 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 in a separate bowl each. Use either a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat them separately before combining them in the batter.
• Powdered Sugar - this is the sweetener we use for the cocktail. Confectioner’s sugar mixes in the easiest, and you need less than granulated sugar.
• 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, this is what we do, and it makes it slightly less rich.

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!

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!

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, and what is available at your local liquor stores.

Tips & Tricks

• Alcohols - 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! Also, any rum will do, we prefer a Jamaican rum, or an aged rum.
• Serving - if you have a Tom & Jerry ceramic punch bowl and cups, use them, as this traditional holiday drink is perfect served in the large bowls! If not, glass mugs and a mixing bowl work great! Keep your cocktails warm by filling mugs with hot water before getting ready to serve the Tom & Jerry. The warmed mug will warm your hands and keep the drink warm. And, always grate a little nutmeg or cinnamon 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. Just know some of the frothiness will be gone from beating the egg whites.
• Big Batch - like we said above, this recipe served as a big batch of the Tom and Jerry is great for a large group. The amount the Tom and Jerry batter recipe makes is already perfect for a crowd, which is why it’s perfect for Christmas time. You can look for Tom and Jerry punch bowls at thrift stores, or online at Happy Hour Vintage! Make your own Christmas tradition by making this recipe!

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

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