Gross experiment shows how fizzy drink turns completely transparent (2024)

A YouTuber has demonstrated the unusual chemical reaction that occurs when you mix acidic Coca-Cola with calcium-rich milk.

In a video posted by Food Kitchen, the experimenter finds out how much milk is needed to make the popular fizzy drink transparent.

He fills three glasses with varying amounts of milk and tops them up with the brown drink.

After 24 hours, the glass with the most Coca Cola has undergone a radical transformation, with brown clumps at the bottom of the glass below a clear liquid.

The video shows the chemical reaction that takes place in the stomach if you drink both beverages at the same time.

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'This is how you make a weird co*cktail,' the YouTuber said.

The effect is created by the acid in the Coca Cola, which causes the milk to curdle.

The gross brown clumps in the bottom of the glass are curdled milk proteins.

This is caused by a chemical reaction between the phosphoric acid in the co*ke and the calcium in the milk.

Calcium reacts with phosphoric acid to form molecular hydrogen and tricalcium phosphate – a chemical reaction that can be summed up as 3Ca + 2H3PO4 —> Ca3(PO4)2 + 3H2.

The co*ke loses its phosphoric acid, to form tricalcium phosphate, a solid form of calcium that is actually taken as a supplement for bone development, although too much can cause side effects.

Phosphoric acid molecules attach to the milk, giving them more density.

The denser milk proteins sink to the bottom of the glass, taking the caramel colour of the drink with them, while the lighter liquid, make up mostly of water with extra hydrogen molecules, floats to the top.

The video also suggests the damage phosphoric acid has on the calcium in our teeth, as calcium compounds help give the protective layer of enamel its strength.

In part two of the experiment, the presenter fills up an almost-full bottle of co*ke with about a shot of milk.

The liquid immediately begins to change, with the noticeable formation of brown clumps.

After another 24 hours, the bottle appears to be made up almost entirely of water, with brown sediment from the reaction settled at the bottom.

The liquid appears to have maintained some of its carbonation as he pours it into a glass, while the sediment forms a murky brown puddle as it's poured onto a plate.

Despite its weird-looking effects, milk combined with co*ke is drunk for pleasure and has previously been claimed as particular favourite in Birmingham by comedy writer James Felton on Twitter.

In response to what to do with the curdled bits, Mr Felton responded, 'you chew'.

Americans in having been combining dairy-based products with fizzy drinks for decades to form cream sodas.

Anyone who wants to try the drink while avoiding the brown gunk at the bottom should favour more milk and less co*ke.