This is the kind of science experiment that I like to see.
Often times, we’re all told to just trust the science and the scientists behind the studies. However, I’m typically a visual learner, and like to see the theories and tests play out in real time. And based upon the number of views that this social media post has (18.3 million and counting) and the replies it has garnered, there are a lot of people out there like me.
In case you haven’t seen it just yet, a video of simple science experiment is currently going viral. What’s so special about it? Well, it shows how devastating one drop of whiskey can be to a collection of bacteria. The footage shows a drop of bacteria being placed on a microscope’s glass slide, followed by a drop of whiskey being placed right on top of/next to the bacteria.
The whiskey absolutely gets to work on the bacteria, as you can see here:
Never liked whiskey but after this I have to drink it 😱🫣 pic.twitter.com/Pn5P5hSh1c
— Rubidoooo ☀️ (@rubidoooo) April 6, 2025
Makes sense to me.
Call me an alcoholic if you wish, but anytime there’s a tickle in my throat, one of my first lines of defense is a shot of whiskey from the liquor cabinet. And don’t even get me started on the medicinal power of a Hotty Toddy (hot water, whiskey, honey and lemon).
So seeing this bacteria frozen by a little whiskey (we’ve all been there, right?) makes me think that there’s some science behind my anti-sickness-whiskey-strategy. Then again, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a liquid with alcohol in it stopped bacteria right in its tracks.
Alcohol is used in disinfectants (think GermEx), and disinfectants are solely used to kill bacteria. And while we’re playing devil’s advocate, alcohol can also sterilize good bacteria, so it’s a toss up on whether throwing back some whiskey can actually provide some health benefits.
Good lucking telling that to the reply section of this post though:
I only drink whiskey to kill the bacteria, I promise
— Tweeterpurgatory (@Tweeterpurg) April 7, 2025
Just think, if your blood was 100% alcohol, you’d never have a problem with infections.
— TheGrayGeezer 🇺🇸 (@GrayGeezer) April 6, 2025
Is this why I feel great all the time https://t.co/pwCnugQa8l
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) April 7, 2025
Are they drunk or dead? 💀
— Pete Cochran (@MrPeteCochran) April 7, 2025
So you’re saying I’m good. https://t.co/q3JpAiPzgw
— David Rutherford (@teamfroglogic) April 6, 2025
Yep – memaw (my appalachian grandma) used to give me a teaspoon of whisky when I was sick. Knocked it right out.
— GenX4America (@GenX4America) April 8, 2025
I am going to live forever! https://t.co/9j5jEmPL61
— Charlie Kelly (@Charlie1Kelly) April 6, 2025
lol, I’ve been drinking whiskey for 30 years, and I’ve never had a problem with worms or long relationships
— NuevosOjos (@ojos_nuevos) April 8, 2025
TMI on that last one?
