This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This Tom and Jerry cocktail recipe is the perfect treat to keep you happy all holiday season! You start with a delicious Tom and Jerry batter mixed with hot water or milk and just a splash (or two!) of spiced rum.
Are you looking for the BEST old-fashioned cocktail recipe?
Well, this Tom and Jerry batter recipe is just what you need!
If you have never heard of a Tom and Jerry cocktail, you are likely not from the Midwest area of the United States! This cocktail is very reminiscent of eggnog, but it is made with a whipped egg white batter combined with spiced rum and hot water to create a frothy mug of deliciousness.
You can also make this cocktail even creamier by adding hot milk! Also, feel free to leave out the spiced rum if you do not consume alcohol.
For more eggnog-inspired drinks, try my Aged Eggnog, Eggnog Martini, Eggnog Whipped Coffee, or Spiced Gingerbread Eggnog.
Oh, and if you’re looking for a party drink without alcohol, try this non-alcoholic Christmas punch.
Ingredients needed
- Eggs – This is the base of our batter. We use both the yolks and egg whites.
- Vanilla bean paste – You can use vanilla extract in place, but I love the flecks vanilla bean paste brings to this recipe.
- Spices – I’m using a mix of cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Cream of tartar – This helps stabilize the egg whites.
- Powdered sugar – This is the sweetener of choice for this batter.
- Spiced rum – Optional but tasty!
- Hot water – This is how you turn the batter into a cocktail!
How to make Tom and Jerry batter
This cocktail is so easy to make you’ll be shocked you haven’t been making it for years!
- Add egg yolks in 1 medium-sized mixing bowl; in another medium-sized mixing bowl, add egg whites.
- Add the cream of tartar to the egg whites and mix with a hand-held mixer until stiff peaks are formed.
- Add vanilla bean paste, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg in the bowl with yolks. Whisk to combine.
- Add half the powdered sugar to the yolks and mix until combined and smooth using the hand-held mixer.
- Add the rest of the powdered sugar and try to combine the mixture. It will be very thick. This is normal.
- Add half the egg whites to the egg yolk mixture and, using the handheld mixer, combine until smooth.
- Fold in the remaining half of the egg white mixture.
- The batter should now be delicious and thick. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Making a drink
Once you make your batter, now it’s time to turn it into a cocktail!
- Add 2-4 tablespoons of your batter to a mug. The amount of batter you use will depend on the size of the mug and how strong the egg batter flavor you’re craving. I prefer four tablespoons in an 8-ounce mug.
- Very slowly, pour in hot water while using a spoon to stir the mixture and the hot water together. If you skip this step, the mixture will curdle as it contains raw eggs.
- If made correctly, the cocktail will have a nice foamy head and be completely smooth.
History of the Tom and Jerry
The Tom and Jerry cocktail dates back to the early 19th century. It is believed to have originated in the United States, specifically in the Northeastern and Midwest regions, and gained popularity during the 1820s.
This warm eggnog-like beverage was often associated with the winter holiday season and became a traditional Christmas drink. Growing up in Ohio, this cocktail was a prominent part of our Christmas celebrations! I still remember going to the 818 Club and watching my parents get a Tom and Jerry at Christmas time.
Nowadays, it’s not a well-known cocktail unless you’re (likely) from the Midwest. However, I bet you might find it if you pop into a small mom-and-pop Midwest bar around Christmas!
Storing leftover Tom and Jerry batter
Because this cocktail batter contains raw eggs, you don’t want this batter to sit around too long.
Keep any leftover batter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More holiday cocktail recipes
Tom and Jerry Batter Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- Spiced rum
- Boiling water
Instructions
- Separate egg whites and yolks and put each in a different medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Set the bowl with the egg whites to the side.
- In the bowl of the egg yolks add vanilla bean paste, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Mix to combine, set aside.
- In the bowl with the egg whites add the cream of tartar.
- Using a handheld mixer, whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form, set aside.
- Going back to the egg yolk mixture, add half the powdered sugar, and using the handheld mixer, beat together until combined.
- Add in the rest of the powdered sugar and try your best to combine the mixture. It will be very thick. This is normal.
- To the egg yolk mixture add half the egg whites and using the handheld mixer combine until smooth.
- Fold in the remaining half of the egg white mixture.
- At this point, the batter should be luscious and thick.
- To make a cocktail add 2-4 tablespoons of the batter into an 8-ounce mug along with (optionlly) 1-ounce spiced rum.
- Very slowly pour in hot water while using a spoon to stir the mixture and the hot water together. If you skip this step you will curdle the mixture as it contains raw eggs. If made correctly the cocktail will have a nice foamy head and be completely smooth.
Notes
- For a creamier cocktail use warm milk instead of water.
- Use 2 tablespoons for smaller traditional mugs and 4 tablespoons for larger mugs.
- This recipe can be cut in half or doubled perfectly.
- This makes 48 (2 tablespoons) servings or 24 (4 tablespoons) servings.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Im from wisc…all the pubs serve these drinks during the holiday….can this batter be frozen after made?
@Connie Ohay, While I have not personally frozen Tom and Jerry batter I have heard it is fine to freeze. If you do this let me know how it turns out!
How long will this keep. In the frig ?????
I usually use mine up in about a week but I have heard it will keep for up to 2 weeks.
I had my first Tom & Jerry when I visited my sister in Montana, many years ago, before I was legal. It’s a great winter warmer!
I got my recipe from my mother-in-law who grew up on a farm in Wisconsin. We use powdered sugar sifted with the spices, which is added after the yolks are beaten lemon yellow and folded into the beaten whites. Two tablespoons of batter, a jigger of brandy and 3/4 jigger white rim, with boiling water instead of milk. Creamy and delicious.
I make a six egg batch and freeze before Thanksgiving, usually makes it to new years eve and still tastes great.
One question. Is the 1 pound of powdered sugar correct? Looks like a lot for that size batch of batter.
There seems to be a problem with curdling the eggs when adding the hot water. The answer to this is to put the booze in the cup and then put the batter in the cup. Mix the two together and then add the hot water. The eggs will NOT curdle and you will have a nice creamy drink- sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg on top. This works every time!!!!
I have made this recipe then froze it in screwtop freezable containers. A recipe batch will fit in one of these containers. It was just as good as when I had it fresh. Other recipes similar to this have a two month freezer time.
Pinnacle Mercantile Plastic Containers with Screw on Lids 32 oz Quart Hot or Cold Freezable Food Ice Cream Jars White BPA Free Set of 4 https://a.co/d/7EuJSbv
I didnt try the recipe but the landing page scks
Thanks Jooey. Awesome feedback. Sorry you don’t like my website. What exactly would you like me to change?
Delicious recipe! Although, mine separated in the fridge in 24 hours! I still used it and it tastes
Normal but why did it separate? Brown on the bottom and white creamy on the top
Hi Nancy – yes, the batter will sometimes separate in the fridge. This is totally normal. I usually just stir or give it a good shake before adding to my mug.