Glowing Gin and Tonic

Drinking from a glowing jam jar is sure to get a comment or two and if you use it on a camping trip it can help with illumination.

The inspiration for this simplified project came after seeing an instructable which used a glass flask filled with glowing liquid. The liquid being tonic water - shining a UV light on it causes quinine in the tonic water to fluoresce.

Supplies

Plastic Jar

Straw

u/v Light Emitting Diodes

CR2032 Battery

Battery Holder

Tonic Water

Gin (Optional)

Hot Glue Gun

Soldering

Solder a couple of uv LEDs to a small CR2032 battery holder.

Simple Shortcut

The simplest way to fix a LED to a CR2032 battery is just to slide it on and fix with some sellotape.

Hot Gluing

Fix the LEDs on to the battery holder with some hot glue.

Fix Out the Jar

Drill a hole in a suitable plastic lid of an empty jar (maybe jam or peanut butter jar) to allow a plastic drinking straw to be inserted.

Hot glue the battery holder to the underside of the lid, next to the hole. Check the lid can still screw onto the jam jar.

Checking Banknote

The UV LEDs can be tried out by checking banknotes as most will have a marking only visible under ultra violet light.

Add Tonic Water and Turn On

Fill the jam jar with gin and tonic water, turn on the uv light and screw on the lid. The tonic water will take on a eerie blue glow.