The Tom and Jerry, a warm, frothy holiday drink of spiced egg batter and hot milk, made with Krampus Bottled in Bond Rye and Krampus Herbal Liqueur.
The Tom and Jerry is the holiday drink your great-grandparents knew: a fluffy, spiced egg batter stirred into hot milk with a shot of spirits, served in a special mug. It's still a Christmas Eve ritual in parts of the Upper Midwest.
This version uses Krampus Bottled in Bond Rye and Krampus Herbal Liqueur in place of the usual brandy and rum.
Ingredients
- Batter: 4 large eggs, separated; ½ cup powdered sugar; ½ tsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp each nutmeg and allspice; ½ tsp vanilla
- Per drink: 1 oz Krampus Bottled in Bond Rye, 1 oz Krampus Herbal Liqueur, 2 heaping tbsp batter, 4 oz hot whole milk
- Grated nutmeg
Directions
- Beat the yolks with the sugar, spices and vanilla until thick and pale.
- Whip the whites to stiff peaks and fold them gently into the yolks.
- For each drink, spoon the batter into a warm mug and add the rye and Krampus.
- Pour in hot milk while stirring, until frothy. Dust with nutmeg.
Makes: 8 drinks · Glass: Mug · Garnish: Grated nutmeg
Tip
Krampus brings its own honey, so this batter uses less sugar than most. Use pasteurized eggs if you are serving anyone who should avoid raw egg.
Variations
Use dark rum in place of the rye for the original brandy-and-rum style. For a darker drink, use Barrel-Aged Krampus in place of the Herbal Liqueur.
A Brief History of the Tom and Jerry
The name is usually traced to Tom and Jerry, two rowdy characters from British writer Pierce Egan's 1821 book Life in London. Celebrity bartender Jerry Thomas helped make the drink famous in America in the mid-1800s, and claimed credit for it, though the drink likely predates him.
By the early 1900s, matching Tom and Jerry bowls and mugs were a fixture in American homes. The tradition faded in most places but lives on in Wisconsin and Minnesota, where stores still sell premade batter every December.
Why Make It With Krampus
The classic recipe splits the spirit between brandy and rum. Krampus Bottled in Bond Rye, a 100% rye whiskey aged more than five years, gives the drink a spicier backbone that stands up to the rich batter. Krampus Herbal Liqueur replaces some of the batter's sugar with raw honey and adds roasted hazelnut, so the drink tastes like a warm holiday cake rather than just sweet eggnog.
FAQ
What is the difference between a Tom and Jerry and eggnog?
A Tom and Jerry is served hot and made with a whipped, separated-egg batter that makes it light and frothy. Eggnog is usually served cold and is denser.
Can I make Tom and Jerry batter ahead of time?
It's best made the day you serve it, since the whipped whites slowly deflate. Keep it refrigerated and give it a gentle stir before using.
Is it safe to use raw eggs?
Use pasteurized eggs if you are serving anyone pregnant, very young, elderly or with a weakened immune system.