Serves 12.
Sticklers for tradition, the bartenders at the Moonrise Hotel’s Eclipse Restaurant won’t make a Tom & Jerry until after the first snow. The drink—noggish in character—is said to have been invented by a St. Louis bartender at the Planters’ House Hotel in the 1800s. The mere mention of its ingredients is enough to send us toddying along…
12 eggs, separated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound butter, room temperature
3 pounds confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice
Spiced rum or brandy
Warm milk, hot cocoa, or eggnog
Beat egg whites and salt in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form. Beat egg yolks to soft peaks in a separate bowl. Beat butter and confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Mix beaten egg yolks and vanilla into the butter mixture. Blend in nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and egg whites. Batter can be frozen or refrigerated for several weeks.
To assemble, fill a cup with spiced rum or brandy (to taste) and warm milk, hot cocoa, or eggnog. Stir in 1 heaping tablespoon of batter.
