It’s Not The Holidays Without A Festive Tom and Jerry

The holiday season is a time of year that’s rich with traditions. And one of my family’s traditions to which I always look forward each year is having a piping hot Tom and Jerry!

Back in my hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin, the holiday drink known as a Tom and Jerry seems to be EVERYWHERE. (Hey, it IS Wisconsin, right?) And while I haven’t seen it as prominently advertised here in southeast Minnesota, it is available if you look. Places like 5 West Kitchen & Bar and Whistle Binkies serve them, and you can get some Flaherty’s Tom and Jerry batter (to make your own at home) at Apollo Liquor.

A Tom and Jerry is similar to egg nog, in that it’s made with an egg-based batter or mix. But the Tom and Jerry is actually more like a Hot Toddy, because it’s also made with boiling water, along with a jigger of brandy, a jigger of rum and a little nutmeg on top. You serve it in a coffee mug for a holiday libation that will really warm you up!

When I was a kid, every Christmas Eve, my dad would make up a batch of Tom and Jerrys for the family (the adults, that is) before dinner. He remembers his dad making the batter from scratch, however, we’ve usually just bought the Tom and Jerry mix at a local grocery or liquor store.

Either way, they’ve become one of our holiday traditions. And, I've now hooked my wife's side of the family on them, too. You can read more about the Tom And Jerry HERE. Bottom's up!