When 7-Up was first invented, one of its ingredients was lithium salts. In fact, the fizzy drink was originally known as “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda,” according to the Huffington Post. Of course, the mind-altering substance was removed from the drink when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration outlawed the use of the chemical in soda in 1948.
Read More: These Amazing Chemical Reactions Will Show You the True Beauty of Science
However, the team over at Periodic Videos recently decided to test what would happen if they tried to add lithium back into 7-Up. In the clip, Sir Martyn Poliakoff, a chemistry professor at the University of Nottingham, explains what happened when his colleagues placed a piece of lithium inside a beaker containing the beverage. The mixture quickly began to heat up, boil, and change color, finally resulting in a black alkaline goo.
Watch the full video below.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
- Biden’s Campaign Is In Trouble. Will the Turnaround Plan Work?
- Why We're Spending So Much Money Now
- The Financial Influencers Women Actually Want to Listen To
- Breaker Sunny Choi Is Heading to Paris
- Why TV Can’t Stop Making Silly Shows About Lady Journalists
- The Case for Wearing Shoes in the House
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Megan McCluskey at megan.mccluskey@time.com