PREP TIME 15 min
What is a Tom and Jerry drink, you may well ask. And if you’ve yet to sample this nostalgic old-fashioned cocktail, often compared to eggnog, then you’re in for a real treat. Just like its name, this cocktail is made up of two parts – batter and rum – and it’s packed with festive spices and always served warm. It requires a little effort to make but boy is it worth it! This boozy spiced milk cocktail will make you glow from the inside out. Happy holidays!
For the Tom & Jerry cocktail:
Warm a heatproof glass or mug with boiling water. Discard the water before serving
Add the rum and brandy to the mug along with the batter and top with warm milk
Garnish with a grating of nutmeg and enjoy warm
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 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.
12 large eggs, separated
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
4 oz unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 oz Signature Appeleton Estate dark rum
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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 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 refrigerator 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.
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 flavors to balance its 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.
