What does a Tom and Jerry taste like?
A Tom and Jerry tastes like warm, fluffy eggnog: a sweet, spiced egg batter topped up with rum, brandy and hot milk, frothy and soft.
Tom and Jerry
hot eggnog, extra fluffy
A Tom and Jerry is the hot cousin of eggnog. Bartenders whip eggs and sugar into a light batter with vanilla and warm spices, spoon it into a mug, add rum and brandy, then pour in hot milk or water. The result is foamy on top and creamy underneath, like a spiced latte made with custard. The booze is there but soft, and the nutmeg on top does a lot of the talking. It's a classic Christmas drink in parts of the Midwest, where some families still bring out special matching mugs.
Where you’ll see it
A holiday-season special, served in a mug with grated nutmeg on top. You will mostly see it at classic cocktail bars and old-school taverns between December and New Year.
Order it if you love eggnog but want it hot and fluffy.
Quick questions
- What is the difference between eggnog and a Tom and Jerry?
- Eggnog is served cold and made with cream. A Tom and Jerry is served hot, built on a whipped egg batter and topped with hot milk or water.
- What alcohol is in a Tom and Jerry?
- Usually a mix of rum and brandy or cognac. Some bars use just one, or bourbon instead.