Noah Vinter
The Tom and Jerry is a traditional Christmas-time cocktail in the United States. It is a variant of eggnog with brandy, rum, and cognac added and served hot, usually in a mug or a bowl. The drink is said to have originated in the 1820s by British writer and boxing journalist Pierce Egan, who introduced it as a variation of eggnog with brandy to publicize his book and the play, Life in London, or The Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn Esq. and his Elegant Friend Corinthian Tom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Drink | Cocktail, variant of Eggnog |
| Alcohol Content | Brandy, Rum, Cognac |
| Calories | 250 per drink |
| Season | Christmas, Holiday Season |
| Recipe | Eggs, Butter, Spices, Milk, Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves |
| Preparation | Mix and heat ingredients, top with batter |
| Popularity | 1820s, 1930s, 1940s-1960s |
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What You'll Learn
Brandy
The Tom and Jerry is a traditional Christmas-time cocktail in the United States, a variation of eggnog with brandy and rum added and served hot. The drink is said to have originated in the 1820s, attributed to British writer and boxing journalist Pierce Egan, who introduced a variation of eggnog by adding 1/2 US fluid ounce (15 ml) of brandy, calling it a "Tom and Jerry". The drink was popularised further by President Warren G. Harding, who served it at an annual Christmas party for his closest friends.
The drink is made by separating egg yolks from egg whites and putting them in two separate bowls. Cream of tartar is added to the bowl of egg whites and beaten until stiff peaks have formed. In the other bowl, the egg yolks, sugar and butter are beaten until thickened, and then the remaining ingredients of vanilla extract, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and brandy are added. The stiff egg whites are then folded into the mixture. The drink is typically served in mugs that have been warmed with hot water and then discarded. To each mug is added 1 tablespoon of Tom and Jerry batter, 1 oz of brandy, and 4 oz of hot milk (or hot water). The drink is then stirred until foamy and garnished with ground nutmeg.
The Tom and Jerry drink is a holiday favourite, with its rich, creamy taste and warming spices. It is a decadent and indulgent drink, requiring pounds of sugar, multiple eggs, and a generous amount of brandy. The drink is often made in batches, with each batch making about a dozen single-mug servings. The batter can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for several weeks, or even frozen for up to two months.
The name "Tom and Jerry" is said to be a reference to Egan's book, "Life in London, or The Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn Esq. and his Elegant Friend Corinthian Tom", and the subsequent stage play "Tom and Jerry, or Life in London", both from the 1820s. The drink has been a popular Christmas tradition, with special punch bowls and mugs produced specifically for serving this beverage.
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Rum
The Tom and Jerry is a traditional Christmas-time cocktail in the United States, dating back to the 1820s. It is a variant of eggnog with added alcohol and served hot, usually in a mug or bowl. The drink's name is a reference to Pierce Egan's book, "Life in London, or The Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn Esq. and his Elegant Friend Corinthian Tom", and the subsequent stage play, "Tom and Jerry, or Life in London". Egan debuted a spiked eggnog recipe as a publicity stunt to promote the stage adaptation of his book.
The cocktail typically contains rum, brandy, or a combination of both. Dark rum, gold rum, spiced rum, and Jamaican rum are all popular choices. The rum is added to the mug or bowl, along with hot milk and a few spoonfuls of the Tom and Jerry batter, which is made from beaten eggs, sugar, and vanilla. The drink is then topped with nutmeg.
The Tom and Jerry cocktail is a rich and decadent holiday beverage, often enjoyed during the festive season, from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. It is known for its warm, spicy flavours and creamy texture, resembling a warm Christmas sugar cookie. The batter can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for several weeks, making it a convenient choice for holiday gatherings.
When preparing the cocktail, it is essential to constantly stir the mixture while adding the hot milk to prevent the batter from curdling. The drink is best served warm, and the serving mug or bowl can be rinsed with boiling water beforehand to maintain the temperature. The Tom and Jerry cocktail is a delightful holiday treat, perfect for those who enjoy a warm, indulgent beverage during the festive season.
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Cognac
The Tom and Jerry cocktail is a warm, spicy, rum-based drink that is perfect for the holidays. It is similar to eggnog but is served warm and has a lighter, less eggy flavour. The cocktail is typically made in batches, with about a dozen servings per batch. The drink is built in the serving mug, starting with a tablespoonful of batter. The traditional recipe calls for a batter made of stiffly beaten egg whites, with egg yolks, butter, sugar, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla, and cinnamon folded back in. However, modern variations include adding vanilla extract and using pre-made batter.
Once the batter is in the mug, rum and cognac are added, followed by hot milk and water. It is important to stir constantly while adding the liquid to prevent the batter from curdling. The drink is then garnished with nutmeg. The Tom and Jerry cocktail is a delicious and festive beverage that is sure to please any crowd.
When making a Tom and Jerry, it is important to use good quality ingredients as they will be prominent in the drink. For cognac, look for a variety that has an initial burst of fruit, a round and supple smoothness, and nuanced flavours achieved through the blending process. As for rum, dark rum, gold rum, and spiced rum are all excellent options.
The Tom and Jerry cocktail is a classic holiday drink that has been enjoyed for centuries. The addition of cognac elevates the beverage, making it a decadent and indulgent treat for any occasion. Whether you're curled up by the fire or hosting a holiday party, this warm and spicy cocktail is sure to be a hit.
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Vanilla extract
A Tom and Jerry is a traditional Christmas cocktail in the United States, a variation of eggnog with added alcohol. It is made with eggs, butter, spices, milk, and sugar, and a generous amount of alcohol, usually rum and brandy. The drink is served hot, often in a mug or bowl, and topped with nutmeg.
The drink is associated with the book and play "Life in London, or The Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn Esq. and his Elegant Friend Corinthian Tom", written by Pierce Egan in the 1820s. The drink was created to promote the book and its stage adaptation, with Egan adding brandy to eggnog, creating the Tom and Jerry cocktail. This drink was a favourite of President Warren G. Harding, who served it at his Christmas parties.
The Tom and Jerry cocktail has a long history and was especially popular around Christmas time, with special mugs and bowls created for serving the drink. It is considered a decadent and indulgent drink, with a rich, creamy texture and a festive flavour profile. While the drink's popularity waned in the 1960s, it is experiencing a renaissance, with classic cocktail enthusiasts rediscovering its charm.
The key ingredients in a Tom and Jerry are eggs, milk, sugar, butter, spices, and alcohol, typically rum and brandy. The addition of vanilla extract is also mentioned in some recipes, enhancing the drink's flavour and adding a subtle aromatic note. The vanilla extract is combined with other ingredients such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and rum, creating a complex and delightful aroma.
The process of making a Tom and Jerry involves separating eggs and preparing the batter. The egg whites are beaten until stiff peaks form, while the yolks are mixed with sugar, butter, and spices. The batter is then refrigerated until needed. When serving, the batter is combined with hot milk, rum, and brandy, creating a warm and indulgent cocktail. The drink is then garnished with nutmeg, adding a final touch of spice.
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Hot milk
The Tom and Jerry cocktail is believed to date back to the 1820s, attributed to British writer and boxing journalist Pierce Egan, who introduced the drink as a variation of eggnog to promote his book, "Life in London, or The Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn Esq. and his Elegant Friend Corinthian Tom," and the subsequent stage play with the same name. The drink gained popularity and became a holiday favourite, often served at Christmas gatherings and parties.
The process of making a Tom and Jerry involves separating egg yolks and whites, beating them, and then combining them with other ingredients. The batter can be made in large batches and stored in the refrigerator for several days or even frozen for later use. When ready to serve, hot milk is added to a mug along with a spoonful of batter and rum, creating a warm and indulgent cocktail.
The hot milk used in the Tom and Jerry is typically whole milk, as this provides a rich and creamy texture to the drink. The milk is gently heated in a saucepan or steamed, as steaming can thin out the milk, making it more suitable for the cocktail. The amount of hot milk added to the cocktail can vary, but a common ratio is four ounces of hot milk to one ounce of rum and one tablespoon of batter.
While the traditional Tom and Jerry cocktail includes alcohol in the form of brandy or rum, it is possible to create a non-alcoholic version for kids or those who prefer an alcohol-free option. In this case, the hot milk can be combined with the batter and other non-alcoholic ingredients, such as chocolate, caramel, or mocha coffee flavouring. This creates a warm and festive drink that can be enjoyed by all ages during the holiday season.
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Frequently asked questions
A Tom and Jerry is a variant of eggnog with brandy and rum added and served hot.
The Tom and Jerry is a traditional Christmas-time cocktail in the United States.
The ingredients include eggs, butter, spices, milk, sugar, rum, brandy, and vanilla extract.
The alcohol in a Tom and Jerry is about 120 calories, and the drink itself is around 250 calories.
The name Tom and Jerry comes from Pierce Egan's 1821 book, *Life in London*, and the subsequent stage play, *Tom and Jerry, or Life in London*.
