A festive office Christmas party took a horrifying turn after a man was left fighting for his life when his stomach ruptured after drinking a liquid nitrogen cocktail.
The incident reportedly happened during a corporate Christmas bash held at the Igra Stolov, or “Game of Tables,” cooking studio in Moscow. Guests at the event were being entertained by a theatrical “cryo-show” hosted by an unidentified celebrity chef, who was preparing flashy cocktails using liquid nitrogen.
According to reports from Metro and other media outlets, the 38-year-old man, identified as Sergey, was allegedly encouraged to drink the cocktail immediately. Witnesses later claimed guests were not warned about the risks associated with consuming liquid nitrogen before it had fully evaporated.
Liquid nitrogen is commonly used in professional kitchens to instantly freeze food and drinks. However, experts warn it can be extremely dangerous if ingested too soon, as it boils violently at room temperature.
Shortly after drinking the cocktail, Sergey was seen clutching his stomach in extreme pain before collapsing in front of shocked partygoers. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors determined that the liquid nitrogen had rapidly expanded into gas inside his body, causing his stomach to rupture.
Surgeons performed emergency surgery to repair the damage, and the man was placed in intensive care. He was later reported to be conscious and recovering, though doctors described his condition as serious.
Medical experts have long warned that consuming liquid nitrogen directly can be life-threatening. When swallowed, it rapidly expands hundreds of times in volume, creating extreme internal pressure that can lead to stomach rupture, internal bleeding, and organ damage. The intense cold can also freeze internal tissues, worsening the injuries.
Drinks made with liquid nitrogen are only considered safe once all of the substance has fully evaporated. Even a small remaining amount can pose a severe risk.
What was meant to be a joyful office celebration reportedly ended in panic, with guests left in shock as medics fought to save the man’s life.
The dangers of liquid nitrogen cocktails have been highlighted in previous incidents. In the UK, its use in drinks has been heavily scrutinised, with calls for bans following serious injuries. In one notable case, a teenager required her stomach to be removed after consuming liquid nitrogen cocktails, and the venue involved was later fined £100,000.
Experts continue to warn that liquid nitrogen should be handled only by trained professionals and never consumed before it has fully evaporated.
