Tom and Jerry Recipe

Why is this cocktail called Tom and Jerry?  

A Tom and Jerry recipe has, like most cocktails, multiple origins, but we’ll go with cocktail historian David Wondrich’s mention of a Jerry Thomas in his 1820’s book, “Imbibe!”. Legend has it, Jerry named the drink after his two pet mice, Tom and Jerry. 

Tom and Jerry cocktail ingredients  

Just like its name, this cocktail is made up of two parts – batter and rum. Like other hot butter rums, the batter will need to be made up in advance. 

 For the Tom and Jerry batter: 

This recipe requires eggs, cloves, nutmeg, Ceylon cinnamon, vanilla extract, sugar, butter and a good dark rum. We recommend choosing a good quality rum for this festive batter, such as a classic like Signature Appeleton Estate or an aged rum like Maison La Mauny. Also, the Trois Rivières collection from Martinique offers some delectable dark rums. 

For your Tom and Jerry recipe: 

For your cocktail you’ll need: a heatproof glass or mug, a spoonful of the Tom and Jerry batter above, a dash of rum, cognac like Bisquit &Duboucheé and a good measure of milk to top it up. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg to really get that festive scent. 

Tom and Jerry recipe 

Don’t fret about how to make a Tom and Jerry cocktail – it’s all in the prep! Once you’ve got your ingredients ready, this creamy drink is one of those easy winter cocktails to make year on year. 

When prepping your batter in advance, the trick is to not to get any yolk into your whites when separating the eggs. The rest of the steps are super simple to follow; simply whisk the egg whites in one bowl to make stiff peaks before combining the yolks, sugar and butter with rum and spices in another bowl. To combine, add the egg white mix one spoonful at a time to the yolk mixture, getting a little air into the thicker base mix with each stir. This batter recipe makes enough to serve 25 so store in the fridge or spoon into large ice cube trays and freeze for a later date. When your guests arrive, simmer your milk, boil the kettle and line up mugs. Before your guests wrap their cold hands around a mug, grate a little nutmeg over the top. 

Raw egg warning

Consuming raw and partially cooked eggs can pose a risk to if you are pregnant or immuno-compromised. Be sure to mention this before serving this Tom and Jerry recipe to guests. 

How strong is this Tom and Jerry recipe? 

While you might assume that a Tom and Jerry recipe is a strong drink as it includes both rum and cognac, the addition of the milk and batter makes it a surprisingly lighter option. At about 12% ABV, it equals a glass of wine.

What to serve with this Tom and Jerry recipe 

This cocktail is rich and filling, like a dessert in a mug, so it’s perfect to serve at the start of your celebrations along with strong salty or spicy flavours to balance to creamy notes. Go for a cheese and charcuterie platter with some spicy chutneys or choose dishes with plenty of tasty Parmesan for a great pairing.