Liquid nitrogen cocktail

[1][2][3] Popularized as a novelty because of the smoky, bubbling "cauldron effect" it produces, liquid nitrogen is controversial as a cocktail ingredient because it boils at −196 °C (77 K; −321 °F) and its consumption is thus potentially lethal.

[5] Because of its low temperature, liquid nitrogen can be extremely damaging to body tissue, causing frostbite and cryogenic burning on contact.

[5][6] On 4 October, an 18-year-old woman named Gaby Scanlon was admitted to hospital with severe abdominal pain and shortness of breath after drinking a cocktail prepared with liquid nitrogen while celebrating her birthday at a bar in Lancaster city centre.

[7] The incident prompted representatives of the British Compressed Gases Association and the Food Standards Agency to warn the public of the dangers of consuming the gas in liquid form.

[8] On 12 October, The Guardian reported that David Morris, the MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, had written to the Food Standards Agency and the Secretary of State for Health, calling for the sale of drinks containing liquid nitrogen to be banned.