A traditional, festive recipe from my Irish father.

Dad’s Tom & Jerry
6 eggs
1½ lbs. XXX sugar (powdered or confectioner’s sugar)
Rum
Whiskey
Nutmeg

Make a batter by first separating the eggs.  Beat the whites to a stiff and dry froth, adding about ½ of the sugar to the whipped egg whites.  Beat yolks until thick, about 5 min. adding a little sugar. Then mix the whites and yolks together in a Tom and Jerry bowl, adding the remaining sugar slowly and a little at a time until the batter is stiff.

Serve as follows: Fill Tom & Jerry mug with1 – 2 tbsp. of the egg mixture, (about ¼ of the mug).  Add 3/4 jigger * rum, ¼ jigger * whiskey to each mug, stir well.  Then fill, a little at a time while stirring continuously, the mug with boiling water. Grate nutmeg on top. Serve.

* Note a jigger is about 1½ fluid oz. (U.S.)