The Quad Cities’ Forgotten Holiday Drink-Tom and Jerrys

I've lived in the Quad Cities most of my life. This holiday drink seems to have disappeared from the Quad Cities, but I do my part every year to celebrate and enjoy this yummy hot drink that most of the Quad Cities has forgotten about.

I'm talking about the ever elusive holiday drink, the Tom and Jerry. It's a traditional Christmastime drink that used to be popular in the United States. According to Wikipedia, it was a derivative of egg nog and it's believed to have been invented by a British journalist in the 1820s.

The traditional Tom and Jerry is made up of a batter including whipped egg yolks, whipped egg whites, powered sugar, vanilla, hot milk and brandy or rum. It's topped with a bit of nutmeg. You can leave the booze out for the kids.

I had some experience making this batter. My family used to prepare these in large quantities and give them away at our family restaurant every Christmas and New Year's Day. If you don't want to tackle the batter, Hy-Vee sells it pre-made in the bakery department.

Here's how you make a Tom and Jerry.

Warm a mug of milk or water that's about 2/3 of the way full. Drop in a hefty dollop of batter and add a full shot of brandy, rum or whiskey. Give a slight stir. You want the batter to stay a little stiff like whipped cream on top of hot chocolate. Decorate with a sprinkle of nutmeg and serve with a spoon.

It's a sweet warm beverage that will keep you warm after you drink it; especially if you use whiskey. Leave the booze out for the kids.

You won't want too many of these at one sitting. The batter is uncooked whipped raw eggs, so one or two of these are plenty unless you want to be running to the bathroom all day.

We drink these on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. I hope you like the forgotten Quad City holiday drink, the humble Tom and Jerry. Enjoy and happy holidays!

Listen to Tami every weekday and Saturdays 10 am to 3 pm on KIIK 104.9.