Make a hangover free cocktail

Surgical Spirit: The Science of Cocktails is coming to the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) as part of this year’s Lancashire Science Festival.

It promises a night out with a twist where visitors will learn the science of mixology, the physiology of booze and impressively, how to make a cocktail that won’t give you a hangover.

And you can share the science of cocktails and make you feel like Tom Cruise in that classic 1980s film of the same name.

The event takes place on Friday, June 27 at UCLan’s Foster Building.

Chemist and mixologist Noel Jackson will lead people through a tongue-in-cheek exploration of the physiological effects of the demon drink.

The concoctions on offer include some classics such as the Leave it to Me No1 created at the Savoy in the 1930s, more modern creations such as the Italian Greyhound and Noel’s own Hangover Free Cocktail.

There is a nod in the direction of molecular mixology with an Earl Grey Fizz to start the evening and an exciting mix which makes use of cola as a flavour bridge in the Cuban Bodybuilder.

Noel said: “We all know that sometimes we drink too much but that the odd glass or red wine is a real benefit but what basis do we have for this received wisdom?

“Many of the experiments on which we base our understanding of the effect of the demon drink are based on dangerously slim evidence.

“There are many misconceptions about alcoholic beverages and I hope to scotch as many myths as possible.

“I like to think of the evening as rather like QI with cocktails and I am sure participants will find the evening fun and informative.”

Surgical Spirit: The Science of Cocktails is one of two events aimed at adults for the year’s Lancashire Science Festival and costs £20 per person including the five drinks.

To book or for more information call 01772 894288 or [email protected]

The Festival of the Spoken Nerd brings together award-winning geek songstress Helen Arney, stand-up mathematician Matt Parker and BBC One scienceexperiments guy Steve Mould for a quirky comedy evening for the sci-curious on Thursday June 26.

The event promises stand-up, songs and live experiments that people will enjoy whether they loved or loathed the science lab at school.

Stand-up mathematician Matt Parker said: “As professional geeks we love ‘first ever’ things – the first Brit in space, the first person to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded, and of course the first Festival of the Spoken Nerd in Lancashire.

“We’re taking the festival theme of Power Up! very seriously by bringing our biggest and best ever show to Preston – and we’re looking forward to a totally new audience showing us their Full Frontal Nerdity on the night too.”

UCLan public engagement manager Dr Jo Heaton-Marriott organises the Lancashire Science Festival.

She said: “We wanted to bring something a bit different to this year’s festival and the Festival of the Spoken Nerd show certainly does that.

“It’s not your run of the mill comedy night out. It’s a night of laugh out loud intelligent comedy that will get your brain ticking at the same time as making you giggle; even if you hated science at school and the thought of a Bunsen burner brings you out in a rash.”

As well as the additional grown-up events the successful Lancashire ScienceFestival will once again host primary schools, secondary schools and the general public over three days from June 26 -June 28 for a free, scienceextravaganza.

This year the event is hosted by UCLan and delivered in association with the Lancashire Enterprise

Partnership and other sponsors. For more information visit http://www.lancashiresciencefestival.co.uk/ orhttp://www.lancashirelep.co.uk/