Episode 123: Tom & Jerry

Mar 16

Ep. 123: Holiday Gold, The Tom & Jerry Cocktail

Welcome to Season 7 episode 123 of The Art of Drinking with Join Jules and Your Favorite Uncle

In this festive episode of The Art of Drinking, Jules and Uncle Brad explore the cozy world of the Tom & Jerry cocktail, a beloved classic holiday drink known for its rich, frothy batter and warming blend of rum, brandy, and winter spices.

Jules shares her Nonna-approved Tom & Jerry recipe, a family-inspired version of this vintage holiday favorite. She walks listeners through her technique for making the perfect Tom & Jerry batter, explaining how to achieve that signature creamy texture that makes this drink a staple at holiday gatherings. While she shares plenty of tips and tricks, the full recipe is a closely guarded secret—you’ll need to grab a copy of her book Pretty Simple Cocktails at [insert website] to get the complete details.

Meanwhile, Uncle Brad dives into the fascinating history of the Tom & Jerry cocktail, uncovering the surprising story behind how this classic winter drink got its name and how it became a holiday tradition in bars and homes across America.

Whether you're looking for a traditional Tom & Jerry cocktail recipe, curious about the history of vintage holiday cocktails, or searching for a cozy drink to serve at your next Christmas or winter gathering, this episode blends cocktail history, technique, and family tradition into one festive conversation.

In this episode:

The history of the Tom & Jerry cocktail
How to make Tom & Jerry batter at home
Jules’ family-inspired holiday cocktail technique
Why this classic winter drink has stood the test of time
Where to find the full recipe in Pretty Simple Cocktails

Perfect for fans of classic cocktails, holiday entertaining, vintage drink recipes, and cozy winter cocktails.

Thinking about purchasing a Klaris ice machine? Go to craftKLARIS.com and use the code AOD10 for 10% OFF your purchase. Trust us, you won’t regret it ;-)

Make sure you’re following us on the Insta

Art of Drinking Podcast | Your Favorite Uncle | Join Jules

Click here to order Pretty Simple Cocktails for the recipe this episode!

The History of the Tom & Jerry Cocktail

The Tom & Jerry is one of America’s oldest and most beloved holiday cocktails, dating back to the early 19th century. The drink is traditionally made with a rich batter of eggs, sugar, and spices that’s topped with hot milk, rum, and brandy, creating a warm, frothy cocktail often compared to a lighter, airier cousin of eggnog.

The cocktail is widely credited to British journalist Pierce Egan, who created the drink around 1821 while promoting his book Life in London. The book followed the adventures of two characters—Tom and Jerry—through London’s nightlife. To generate buzz, Egan served a special punch named after the characters at book events, and the drink quickly became associated with festive gatherings and winter celebrations.

The Tom & Jerry soon crossed the Atlantic and became especially popular in the Midwestern United States, where it evolved into a beloved Christmas tradition. Bars and households would prepare large bowls of the fluffy batter in advance, then ladle it into mugs and top it with hot milk and spirits for guests. In many families, the recipe for the batter became a closely guarded holiday secret passed down through generations.

Today, the Tom & Jerry remains a nostalgic vintage holiday cocktail, celebrated for its theatrical preparation, rich texture, and warming spices—making it a perfect drink for cold winter nights and festive gatherings.

This weeks tip section will be dedicated to answering YOUR questions