Hallowe'en Garnish Tips # 2: The Spooky Fog
Ever watched a scary movie and thought about how cool the fog effect in the generic cemetery scene was? Ever wanted to shock friends and family at your events by recreating this same effect as you hand them a handcrafted cocktail? Read below 👀
GARNISH TIPS
What Creates The Fog?
Basically, the fog is the result of a state change in the star of the show: the molecule carbon dioxide!
The Magic of The Carbon Dioxide State Change
Carbon dioxide is the molecule used to make dry ice. Why does this effect take place? Basically, carbon dioxide, like every molecule, has a boiling point and a freezing point. These control the three (natural on earth) possible states of matter that a substance can take. A substance can either be a liquid, a solid, or a gas. When at a temperature above the boiling point, the substance will be a gas. When between the boiling and freezing points, the substance will be a liquid, and when below the freezing point, the substance will be in a solid-state. The other thing to consider is pressure! CO2 cannot exist as a liquid at the natural pressure on Earth. So basically, on earth carbon dioxide can only naturally be a gas.
So when you buy dry ice, it is kept at a very cold temperature, and it sublimates (goes directly from solid to gas). Adding a liquid to it makes this process occur very quickly and you will witness the vapour billowing out of your glass and around the vicinity! It's pretty cool to see!
Where Can I Buy Dry Ice?
A refrigeration or ice store! I live in Canada and went to Praxair! 1 KG of dry ice was about $15 total ($5 and a $10 "environmental fee"). I have read that some Walmart locations in the US carry it, but I'm not 100% sure!
Things To Know Before Purchasing Dry Ice
Do not put too much dry ice in! I thought that this would revive the fog effect, but it actually froze my cocktail and ruined it completely! You could also see the frozen pellets sticking inside the glass.
You cannot refrigerate the dry ice! If you want it to last for a long time, you can keep it in a styrofoam box, or in a cardboard box with a lid. Make sure there is ventilation because the dry ice being contained and heating too fast can be catastrophic. I was told this at the store, I didn't make the mistake thankfully.
DO NOT TOUCH THE DRY ICE. You will get burnt, and it will hurt.
Do not store it in a poorly ventilated area! You don't want all of that carbon dioxide gas to collect in a closed area!
It will all evaporate within 4 to 24 hours of it being at room temperature, so you should not buy it until it's almost time to use it!
Ingredients:
- your cocktail
- dry ice pellets
Directions
1. Create your cocktail with no ice.
2. Use tongs or some other tool to place the dry ice into the glass. Never use your bare hands!!! Even latex gloves will not do!
3. Watch the effect and take your photos before it finishes!
And enjoy! If you use this as your stand-out garnish, don't forget to tag @atwistoflemoncocktails on Instagram!
