Classic Christmas Tom and Jerry co*cktail recipe (2024)

Learn how to make a Christmas Tom and Jerry co*cktail, a traditional boozy holiday treat to share

A Tom and Jerry drink is a strong, delicious, warming drink with a long history and many fans!

Despite its quite innocent-sounding name, a Tom and Jerry co*cktail is definitely not a drink for kids: the opposite, actually!

A Tom and Jerry frink is best described as a more potent version of eggnog, a fun little winter warmer for grown-ups!

What is the origin of the Tom and Jerry co*cktail?

The first mention of a Tom and Jerry drink dates back to 1820 and it is linked with author Pierce Egan.

Rumor has it that the drink was born as a way to promote Pierce Egan’s book “Life in London, or The Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn Esq and his Elegant Friend Corinthian Tom“, subsequently a stage play “Tom and Jerry, or life in London” which, as the title suggests, has two main characters called Tom and Jerry.

The Tom and Jerry co*cktail enters the drinks scene as a boozy eggnog variation with brandy & rum, served hot.

Did you associate this drink with the Tom and Jerry cartoon? So did we, until we researched and learned about its origin! The Tom and Jerry cat and mouse duo came to life much later: originated in the 1930s and it is kid-friendly, unlike this drink!

Tom and Jerry Drink vs. Eggnog

A Tom and Jerry drink has a lot in common with traditional eggnog. However, in a Tom and Jerry co*cktail, the taste of the egg is less pronounced while the kick of the alcohol is unmistakable, two characteristics that make a Tom and Jerry often more popular with grown-ups than its classic counterpart.

This recipe is part of our favourite Christmas co*cktails series. You may also like to check out our non-alcoholic drinks collection for perfect Christmas Mocktails.

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Tools you will need for making a Tom & Jerry

• Mixer with a whisk attachment or handheld whisk
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoons
• Jigger
• Spatula for mixing
• Stirring spoon
• Grater for nutmeg garnish
• Heat-proof glass coffee cups, special Christmas mugs or mason jars to serve.

Find all our favourite tools for your home co*cktail bar here.

Tom and Jerry co*cktail ingredients and process

A Tom & Jerry co*cktail is similar to hot buttered rum in the need to create a spiced “batter” as the base. Therefore, it requires a bit of work!

Because of this, a Tom and Jerry is best prepared in advance rather than thought up on the spot!

However, it’s an easy drink to make as a large batch so we’ll give a party-sized recipe here – you can cut it down or double it up depending on how many you’re serving!

You can mix and play around with the added spices and boozy quantities.

Top tip! A quicker and easier brandy-based drink if you need to think on your feet with basic home bar ingredients is the Brandy Alexander.

Ingredients for the spiced batter of a Tom and Jerry drink:
12 eggs
125g/1 stick of butter (softened)
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
60ml dark rum

Tom and Jerry drink liquid ingredients:
1 tbsp of the batter
30ml dark rum
30ml cognac
125ml milk
Garnish with ground nutmeg

How to make a Tom and Jerry co*cktail: step by step process:

Separate your egg yolks and egg whites

Add your egg whites to a mixer and add the cream of tartar.

Blend gently until you have a meringue-like mixture with stiff peaks

Separately, add your softened butter and sugar to the bowl of egg yolks and whip

With a spatula, gently fold the egg yolks in with the egg whites.

Stir in your cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and vanilla. The batter can now be stored covered in the fridge until ready to use

Pre-heat the mugs/cups you will use to serve. Pre-heat your desired quantity of milk (approximately 125ml/4oz per mug)

To each mug, add a heaped tablespoon of the batter

Add 30ml/1 oz each of dark rum and brandy to each mug

Fill each mug with hot milk, stirring until foamy

Garnish with nutmeg

Further variations on the Tom & Jerry

Brandy or cognac?

Our classic recipe calls for cognac, but as we discussed in our guide to cognac, it is still a type of brandy. There is no harm in interchangeably using a different type of brandy, it doesn’t need to be top-shelf mixed in a co*cktail.

Spiced rum

We have suggested using dark rum but another brilliant way to serve your Tom & Jerry is with spiced rum, yum!

Milk or water?

If you are not a huge fan of hot milky drinks, the milk can be substituted, either for low-fat skinny milk or even hot water will suffice but obviously give you a slightly different end taste.

How sweet do you like it?

We’ve seen recipes that recommend DOUBLE the quantity of sugar is added to the batter. It’s up to you but we have found this too sweet.

How do you like it served?

Our recipe would suggest a small coffee cup-sized serve, however, we know some like their Tom & Jerry big, creamy and piled up high!

You could try mason jars with straws instead and simply double the quantity in each serve (just noting this then makes for one very large, boozy mug full! Drink Responsibly.

The Tom & Jerry is a bit of a retro hit on the co*cktail circuit but nonetheless, we think a great one to have in your Christmas co*cktail repetoire!

More Christmas drink ideas

As well as checking out our complete guide to Christmas co*cktails, you may also be interested in our Christmas gift guides for drink-lovers. We cover everything from stylish glassware for your drinks cabinet through to our favourite gifts for coffee-lovers.

If you’re still seeking out that perfect gift idea or stocking stuffer, pop on over for some inspiration here >>

Mama Loves A Drink advocates quality over quantity. Always drink responsibly!