I am talking about a Tom and Jerry cocktail today, and not the mousy kind. I have been wanting to share this vintage holiday cocktail with you forever. My mother use to make a big batch of this drink mix every holiday season. It was definitely a sign that Christmas was truly here. The aroma of whipped eggs, nutmeg and rum would fill the kitchen, and I knew good things were just around the corner.
The cocktail base is made with fresh (raw) eggs, so if this bothers you, this is not the holiday cup of cheer for you. I have to say, I have enjoyed at least one every year holiday season for my entire life, and have yet to get sick.
The creamy base is made with eggs, sugar, and cream. Lots of warm spices mingle with the frosting like texture. To serve this drink you simply fill a mug with steamy hot water and a shot of rum. I decided to use Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum after being reintroduced at the MIXED conference. We enjoyed a few cocktails that were laced with this dark rum, which is dark and mysterious, with a rich and syrupy flavor. The spiciness of the rum goes really well with the creamy egg mixture. It was definitely a good choice! If rum, is not your thing, try bourbon or brandy, both are equally as good.
If you don’t drink or you want to serve this to the little ones, just leave out the alcohol, and try serving it with hot milk. Once the creamy mix starts melting into the hot milk, it creates a delightful hot beverage. Nutmeg and cinnamon begin swirling around your head, and it t is rather intoxicating. When we were kids, our parents would scoop mounds of the fluffy mixture into hot water, and we would literally eat it with a spoon. We felt so grown up.
** I have cut the original recipe in half. My sister makes the full batch for a house-full of thirty drinks. It is just two of this, and this works perfectly as the recipe fills a large mixing bowl, which will still make cocktails. It lasts about 4 days, covered in the refrigerator. Raw eggs MAY contain salmonella bacteria, so look for pasteurized products.
Happy Holidays!
Tom and Jerry Cocktail
An easy vintage cocktail recipe for a Tom and Jerry Cocktail, which is a mixture made of eggs, sugar, warm spices and rum.
Ingredients
- 6 eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon cream tartar
- 1 cup superfine sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- hot water
- rum
- nutmeg for garnish
Instructions
Separate the eggs.
Beat the whites along with the cream of tartar until they are a soft meringue.
Gradually add the superfine sugar.
Continue beating until stiff meringue forms.
Place the meringue into a large mixing bowl.
Using the same mixing bowl that you mixed the meringue in, add the yolks and 1 cup of the powdered sugar.
Beat until light yellow and the consistency of frosting.
Add the spices. Mix for another 1 minute.
Folk the yolk mixture into the egg white mixture.
Using a clean mixing bowl whip the cream with the remaining 1/4 cup powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
Fold into the egg mixture.
Fill a mug with hot water and 1 ounce of rum.
Top with a scoop of Tom and Jerry.
Garnish with a little nutmeg.
Serve.
Drink.
Notes
I have cut the original recipe in half. My sister makes the full batch for a house-full of thirty drinks. It is just two of this, and this works perfectly as the recipe fills a large mixing bowl, which will still make cocktails. It lasts about 4 days, covered in the refrigerator. Raw eggs MAY contain salmonella bacteria, so look for pasteurized products.
Bree
Saturday 15th of December 2012
I have always wondered what this drink was! My best friend's in-laws have a Tom and Jerry party every year and I never knew what they were talking about. Looks good!
Barbara | Creative Culinary
Friday 14th of December 2012
I remember not only my parents but my grandparents serving this cocktail over the holidays and I still enjoy it to this day; it is a standard part of our Christmas Eve celebration..it's just pure yummy!