As we ’ve been sharing thoughts on holiday food traditions , from theoldto theunexpected , it ’s time during those relaxing days between Christmas and New Year ’s to revisit tradition . Actually , what we ’re really sound out is it ’s time to mellow out with a warm definitive cocktail by the fire . Who ’s ready for a Tom and Jerry ?

Our instauration to the Tom and Jerry cocktail materialize when we first moved to Wisconsin 16 years ago , and every Christmas season like clockwork Mrs. Bowen ’s Tom   and Jerry batter would appear in the fixed - intellectual nourishment aisle , right next to the baking - provision arsenal , but oddly not meant for baking . We shortly learned that you put this “ batsman ” in a hot cocktail served during vacation time .

While it was fresh to us , the Tom and Jerry cocktail comes from a long and somewhat mysterious story . No one knows exactly how it first start , but it predate the sketch characters by more than 100 years . It ’s been around since the other 1800s and has savour an renowned , pop sovereignty as a warm wintertime drink for more than a C . Similar to but not eggnog , the Tom and Jerry is made with whipped eggs , sugar , butter and spices to create a batsman that is then mixed with hot water and spirits to create a creamy , frothy , seraphic drink . Think cookie in a cup with booze .

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With the coming of trendy cocktail in the 20th century , the Tom and Jerry took a back seat to the hipper world of martinis and Manhattans — except in the Midwest , where Wisconsin and Minnesota loyalists held true to the Tom - and - Jerry tradition every Christmas season . With the retro revitalization of classic cooking and all thing nostalgia in a cup , you could now find the Tom and Jerry on bar menus across the country , specially in clime where a loving cup of tender sunshine goes a prospicient elbow room this meter of year .

Why did Wisconsin stay loyal to the Tom and Jerry all these years ? It could be our dearest of all things dairy and brandy - infused , or perhaps it ’s a dash of that Midwest fidelity and commitment to custom . Whatever the reason , you’re able to still find classic Tom - and - Jerry cup and punch bowls in rural parsimony storage and antique show , as this drink was often serve in large , party - style measure for vacation assembly .

We   made the Tom and Jerry for the first clock time this season and are kicking ourselves for not embracing the drink sooner . It ’s a slow - down - and - sip - by - the - flak kind of drink — a dessert in a cup , where a couple lash out each holiday season will satisfy you the whole class through .

The Tom and Jerry is a traditional holiday cocktail in the Midwest. Photo courtesy Pat Kight/Flickr (HobbyFarms.com)

While you may bribe the batter , the homemade , crude adaptation tastes much better . As this recipe uses raw eggs , we only apply constitutional and free - kitchen stove eggs from Farmer we have it off and trust . Fiddle with the flavor to get it how you care it . While red-hot water traditionally is added to Tom - and - Jerry batter , folks also use hot Milk River ( or half hot Milk River ) for a creamy variation , and we ’ve even heard of using chocolate Milk River or coffee berry . Adapt the spiciness found on what you like . A class - favorable custom , you’re able to make kiddie versions by just omitting the alcohol .

formula : Tom and Jerry Cocktail

Yield : About 12 servings

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Ingredients

batsman

Cocktail

preparedness

BatterIn large glass or metal stadium , beat egg White River and salt until smashed peak form .

In separate large bowl , beat butter and pulverised pelf until light and fluffy . Add egg yolk one at a meter and mix thoroughly . Blend in vanilla infusion and honey with last egg yolk .

Gently mix orchis whites with egg - yolk commixture . Add spice and flux until well - blended .

Store in refrigerator up to three days or freeze batsman and economic consumption as needed .

CocktailPlace two pile tablespoons buffet into mug . tot 1/2 to 1 shoot brandy ( 1 to 2 ounces ) and 1/2 to 1 shot rum ( 1 to 2 ounce ) , and merge with batter . bring 8 ounce moil water and stir until batsman is blended . Top with dash of Ceylon cinnamon and service fond .

Savoring the secure life ,

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