Welcome to Master Mixology with Discovery Place Science!

Our new video series explores the intersection of science and alcohol, plus fun adult beverage demonstrations (and non-alcoholic modifications!).

In this episode of Master Mixology, we are exploring the science behind drinks that glow and offer spooky special effects. In the content below, find recipes for all adult beverages included in this episode, along with non-alcoholic alternatives.

Have you ever wondered why some things glow? Luminescence is light that is emitted by a substance not resulting from heat, also known as “cold light.”

Some substances contain materials in them called phosphors that radiate after being exposed to sunlight, like the glow-in-the-dark stars on your ceiling you may have had as a child.

Fluorescence is what you see when you wear brightly colored clothing under a black light. The material in your clothing absorbs the photons from the UV light, which get “excited” and produce a glow that lasts as long as you are under a blacklight.

Some living organisms also glow. Scorpions have special proteins in their exoskeletons that glow naturally under UV light.

Did you know that there are things you can add to your drinks to make them glow? Tonic water has a special ingredient in it called quinine that absorbs UV light and emits it as a photon of visible light in a soft blue color.

Vitamin B2 glows bright yellow when UV light hits the riboflavin molecules. And milk glows white because of the auto-fluorescent proteins in it (just like our scorpion).

To take your spooky drinks to the next level by adding another special effect–steam!

Dry ice is carbon dioxide in solid form and has a melting point of negative 109 degrees Fahrenheit. When it comes in contact with room temperature air, those CO2 molecules speed up so quickly that they become gas!

This process is called sublimation. When added to a drink, dry ice fizzles and steams, which will impress any guest at your next party.

Want to get colder than dry ice? You can use liquid nitrogen to create an adult milkshake in just seconds!

Nitrogen has a boiling point of negative 321 degrees Fahrenheit and is not found naturally anywhere on Earth. However, if you are ever near Saturn’s moon Titan, you are likely to find an abundance of liquid nitrogen there.

Don’t have access to liquid nitrogen? You can make an adult milkshake with ice and a blender instead.

Pour yourself a glowing drink, and sip for science! Remember to drink responsibly.

Drink Recipes

Vodka Tonic
Rocks Glass

• 1.5oz vodka
• Top with tonic water
• Splash of pineapple juice

Directions: Combine vodka and tonic water in a glass and add a splash of pineapple juice.

Non-alcoholic version:

• Tonic water
• Splash of pineapple juice

Directions: Fill a glass with tonic water and add a splash of pineapple juice.

Vitamin B2 Drink
Rocks Glass

• 1.5oz vodka (or clear liquor)
• One dropper full of liquid Vitamin B2 Riboflavin
• Top with Sprite
• (Optional) Add homemade lemon simple syrup mixed with a few drops of pink/red food coloring for added sweetness and a color change (recipe below)

Directions: In a glass, combine vodka and Vitamin B2 and top with Sprite. Add homemade lemon simple syrup if desired.

Non-alcoholic version:

• One dropper full of liquid Vitamin B2 Riboflavin
• Top with Sprite
• (Optional) add homemade lemon simple syrup (recipe below)

Directions: Repeat the process above, omitting vodka.

Homemade lemon simple syrup

• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/3 cup (packed) of finely grated lemon zest
• 1/2 cup of water

Directions: Grind sugar and lemon zest in a food processor for 1 minute. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and allow it to sit for 30 minutes (without heat) while the sugar absorbs the lemon oil. Add water to the mixture and simmer over medium heat, occasionally stirring, until the sugar dissolves completely — strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a sealable container. Lemon zest syrup is good for up to 3 months. Keep refrigerated.

To make the original flavor of simple syrup: mix sugar and water over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.

To make vanilla simple syrup: mix sugar and water over medium heat until sugar dissolves, remove from heat and stir in one tablespoon of vanilla extract.

Stir food coloring into the finished syrup to change your drink’s color.

Sub-Zero Poison Appletini
Martini or coup glass

• 1.5oz of vodka (or clear liquor)
• .5oz apple pucker
• One dropper full of liquid Vitamin B2 Riboflavin
• 1oz original flavor simple syrup mixed with green neon food coloring
• Splash of sour mix
• Cube of dry ice

Directions: In a cocktail shaker, add (regular) ice, vodka, apple pucker, Vitamin B2, simple syrup, and a splash of sour mix. Shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds. Strain into a cup or martini glass and use tongs to place a cube of dry ice in the glass. Allow dry ice to dissolve completely before drinking.

Non-alcoholic version:

• One dropper full of liquid Vitamin B2 Riboflavin
• 1oz of non-alcoholic green apple syrup
• 2oz sour mix
• Top with Sprite or club soda
• Cube of dry ice

Directions: In a cocktail shaker, add (regular) ice, Vitamin B2, apple syrup, and sour mix. Shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds —strain into a cup or martini glass and top with Sprite or club soda. Use tongs to place a cube of dry ice in the glass. Allow dry ice to dissolve completely before drinking.

Liquid Nitrogen Milkshake (batch)
Pint glass

• 1 cup vodka
• 1 to 1.5 cups of vanilla simple syrup (blue and green food coloring)
• 2 quarts of whole milk
• Liquid nitrogen (1 liter)

Directions: In a large metal bowl, add vodka, simple syrup, vanilla extract, and milk. Make sure to have protective gear, including goggles and cryogenic gloves. Pour in a bit of nitrogen at a time while whisking. It is easier with two people for this part – one whisking while the other pours the nitrogen. Spoon the frozen mixture into a glass and serve with a spoon and straw.

Non-alcoholic version:

• 1 to 1.5 cups of vanilla simple syrup (blue and green food coloring)
• 2 quarts of whole milk
• Liquid nitrogen (1 Liter)

Directions: Repeat the process above, omitting vodka.

Non-liquid nitrogen version:

• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1/4 cup of vanilla simple syrup
• (Optional) Add a few drops of food coloring
• 1 cup of ice

Directions: Add all ingredients to a blender and mix. Add more of the liquids as needed. Serve in a fun glass and enjoy! To make this version non-alcoholic, simply omit the vodka.