Doctor warns dangerous ingredient in fancy cocktails could ‘cause stomach to explode’

A doctor has come out to warn people about their favourite cocktails and the possibility of them containing a substance that could be fatal if consumed.

Having a tipple is nothing to normally be concerned about, but when it comes to this certain ingredient, it can pose a massive health risk.

Whether you like to go to new and trending bars to sip on drinks you’ve only seen on TikTok, you need to make sure you know what the ingredients are at all times.

Particularly if it looks like a ‘smoke’ drink.

You’ve seen it before, the cocktails that have fog coming out of them to give a magical look like you’ve never seen up close and personal.

While it has zero value for the taste, it does give it a pretty cool vibe. However, that fog is likely liquid nitrogen; which is nitrogen gas supercooled into a liquid.

Now, I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound too yummy, and experts agree.

According to Dr Josh Trebach, it can cause injuries to drinkers.

The ER doc and toxicologist wrote on X: “It is very cold and has to be held in special containers because it actually boils at room temperature. It can cause frostbite when in contact with skin/tissues.”

“Some people think it is super cool to put liquid nitrogen into a beverage and watch the fog that comes out of the drink so you can take a pic for your social media … but not everyone is aware of the risks that come with drinking a drink made with liquid nitrogen,” he added.

What’s even more terrifying is that it can even cause your stomach to explode.

Yeah, you read that right.

According to the BBC, one woman collapsed in 2012 after drinking a Nitro-Jagermeister shot, which contained liquid nitrogen, with it ripping through her stomach wall.

This is because you need to let the nitrogen evaporate before ingesting; otherwise, it can expand in your stomach when it turns into a gas and cause a hole of varying degrees to form.

“So if it’s in your stomach, it can expand and cause your stomach to explode,” said Trebach.

Trebach also shared an X-ray photo taken of an 18-year-old patient who was admitted to the ER due to one of those drinks, and her case was published by the Royal Lancaster Infirmary in Lancaster.

An 18-year-old female presents to the emergency department with abdominal pain and shortness of breath after drinking a fancy cocktail. Her x-ray is below.

What do you think is going on? pic.twitter.com/CuzUvxRor5

— Josh Trebach, MD (@jtrebach) December 30, 2025

Immediately after downing her drink, the patient collapsed in pain, and after being rushed to a hospital, a CT scan revealed she had suffered a stomach perforation, which required an emergency surgery.

Sadly, she ended up having part of her stomach removed, and her digestive tract was then reconnected to the oesophagus.

“It worries me that people are making these liquid nitrogen drinks or drinking these drinks without being aware that there are risks involved,” said Trebach.

“I personally do not think that it’s worth it and will stick with my pathetic nonfogging beverages. Please be safe!”