Cheers to Jerry Hawthorne and Corinthian Tom!

Talking to a friend the other night, we were discussing the traditional holidays drinks, one being the Tom and Jerry. I was unfamiliar with it, so I did some investigating, and found it was invented in the 1820's by a sports writer, Pierce Egan, named after his book, "Life in London, or the Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorne, Esq. and his elegant friend Corinthian Tom"!
The Tom and Jerry is a variant of the time-honored Egg Nog, originating in medieval England. History tells of "nog" being slang for noggin, or the little carved-wood mug used for serving alcohol. The drink combined an egg and "grog", the Colonial term for drinks made with rum. Later the name was shortened to Eggnog.
By the way, Eggnog crossed the Atlantic in the 18th Century, and since brandy and wine were taxed, rum from the Caribbean was substituted. After the American Revolution, domestic whiskey, and particularly bourbon, was used.

So, that being said, here are recipes for the two drinks (one cold, one hot). Give them a try! Cheers!

TOM AND JERRY - 24 Servings

12 eggs

1-1/4 cup confectionner's sugar
20 oz. brandy
24 cups milk
1 pinch fresh ground nutmeg

Separate the eggs. Beat the whites 'til frothy. Whisk in 3/4 c sugar and beat 'til stiff peaks form. Then, beat the yolks and the remaining sugar, with 5 TBS brandy 'til light lemon colored. Fold in the whites, and refrigerate.
In a large stock pot, heat the milk 'til hot, not boiling. To each mug, add 2 tsp brandy, and 1 large TBS of the egg mixture. Stir, and then fill the mug with hot milk. Sprinkle with nutmeg and serve.

EGG NOG - 6 to 7 Servings
4 eggs, separated
1/3 cup + 1 tsp sugar
1 pint whle milk
1 cup heavy cream
3 oz. bourbon
1 tsp fresh grated nutmeg

Beat yolks 'til light colored. Gradually add the sugar and beat 'til dissolved. Add the heavy cream, bourbon and nutmeg. Stir to combine.

Place egg whites in bowl, and beat into soft peaks. Add a bit of sugar, and beat 'til stiff peaks. Whisk whites into the mixture. Chill, and serve!

The traditional T & J punch bowl set!