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Liquid Nitrogen Drink

Liquid Nitrogen Cocktails

Liquid nitrogen is just what it sounds like-nitrogen in a liquid state. Nitrogen is liquid at an extremely low temperature, usually a wickedly cold 321 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. It freezes body tissue on contact, so it’s sometimes used by doctors to freeze off warts. It’s also used in labs to store cells or in cryogenics or as a coolant for high temperature processes or experiments. It’s also sometimes used to brand cattle.

Liquid Nitrogen Cocktails: Culinary Use of Liquid Nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen is used by restaurants in a couple different ways. Sometimes they use it to prepare frozen desserts (e.g. ice cream) because they can be created in seconds at the table, and it looks pretty cool. Liquid nitrogen cocktails are another way that restaurants use liquid nitrogen because it can quickly chill glasses or freeze ingredients. It’s also used to create a smoky effect.

Liquid Nitrogen Cocktails: The danger

The problem with liquid nitrogen cocktails is that you are not supposed to actually ingest the liquid nitrogen. Bartenders are supposed to swirl it around in a glass until it vaporizes completely, and then pour in the alcohol. If they don’t do it right, you can end up swallowing it. The substance itself is not toxic, but the extremely cold temperature freezes body tissues on contact.

The Daily Mail recently reported such an incident involving liquid nitrogen cocktails. Gaby Scanlon, 18, was out with friends when she ordered a drink made with liquid nitrogen. After drinking the liquid nitrogen cocktail, she began to complain of shortness of breath and severe stomach pains. She was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent an emergency gastrostomy following a diagnosis of a perforated stomach. Medical experts claim that this would have been fatal had the surgery not been performed when it was. Scanlon will likely be able to resume a mostly normal life, but she will have to closely monitor her diet and nutrition from now on.

Though the hospital is not commenting on Scanlon’s case, doctors surmise that the liquid nitrogen froze the stomach tissues, and quickly formed into a gas, causing tremendous pressure on the stomach walls. This combination- the force of the gas and stomach tissues unable to expand to accommodate it, would quickly cause perforation.

Liquid nitrogen cocktails have also been known to freeze the throat, upper airways, and lips when used improperly. This can compromise breathing and cause fatalities.

Liquid Nitrogen Cocktails: Why even use it?

Many bars and restaurants use liquid nitrogen cocktails to entice customers and set themselves apart from the competition. However, many bartenders using the substance are not specially trained in using such a dangerous substance or they get busy and careless while making the cocktails. Though injuries as severe as Gaby Scanlon’s are rare, rushed or undertrained bartenders often suffer minor skin burns from making liquid nitrogen cocktails.

Some chefs insist that liquid nitrogen is safe when used properly, and argue that its use should not be banned in the food service industry.

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The Top 5 Strongest Alcoholic Drinks

By Jenny Hunt

The strength of most alcoholic drinks is roughly the same. One shot of liquor = one beer = one glass of wine. But some alcoholic drinks stand out from the rest as far as alcohol content is concerned. Tread carefully though, these drinks are all but guaranteed to get you wickedly drunk and give you a nasty hangover. Here is a list of the top 5 strongest alcoholic drinks:

1. Everclear: Everclear takes the top spot on every list of the strongest alcoholic drinks we can find. This potent liquor is up to 95% alcohol (190 proof). It is also available in a less intoxicating form (75.5% alcohol or 151 proof) which is good because the stronger version is banned in thirteen states. Everclear is a grain alcohol manufactured by Luxco. This incredibly strong liquor can be used as an antiseptic, as a fuel in camping stoves, and as a cleaner.

2. Devil Springs Vodka: Typical vodka contains between 38 – 50% alcohol by volume (76 – 100 proof). Devil Springs Vodka contains a whopping 80% alcohol by volume (160 proof). While most vodka’s aren’t strong enough to extract much flavor and aroma, Devil Springs is perfect for creating your own flavored vodkas. It can be steeped with a number of herbs or fruits to create a unique blend. Drinkers are cautioned to always dilute Devil Springs Vodka before consuming it.

3. Absinthe: No list of the strongest alcoholic drinks would be complete without the inclusion of Absinthe, maybe the most notorious alcoholic beverage of all time. Absinthe originated in Switzerland and was a popular drink among French artists in the 19^th century. Known as the Green Fairy, Absinthe is rumored to have hallucinogenic properties. The psychedelic properties are attributed to the trace amounts of thujone, a chemical in Absinthe that is derived from wormwood, and are likely much exaggerated. Up until 2007, Absinthe was banned in the US. It is available now, but the US versions are thujone free. Though the US version may be hallucinogenic-free, it is still a very strong drink. Absinthe contains 45-74% alcohol by volume (90 – 148 proof). Absinthe is usually diluted with water before being served over sugar cubes.

4. Bacardi 151: Most rum contains 35-40% alcohol by volume on average. Bacardi 151 contains 75.5% alcohol by volume. The liquid is flammable and is often used when creating flaming cocktails (like Flaming Dr. Peppers). Not surprisingly, Bacardi is the only manufacturer of strong rums to employ a flame arresting cap on every bottle. Definitely one of the strongest alcoholic drinks on the market!

5. Sierra Silver Tequila: Tequila is a liquor made from the blue agave plant, primarily found near the city of Tequila in Mexico. Many people believe that some tequila bottles contain worms that, when eaten, will produce a psychedelic or aphrodisiac effect. There is a worm – called a gusano, or a butterfly caterpillar – in some types of mescal, a different kind of Mexican liquor. However, there seems to be no truth in the claim that the worm has any psychoactive properties. Tequila is most often made at 38-40 alcohol by volume. At 75% alcohol by volume (150 proof) Sierra Silver Tequila is by far the strongest tequila available for sale in the US. Only 1/2% less alcohol by volume than Bacardi 151, it comes in at number 5 on our top 5 strongest alcoholic drinks list.