[Borek]

Well, perhaps not exactly chemical experiment, but still interesting And as Kryolith suggested, can make a good party trick.

Picture 1 - what you need. Any 40% vodka will do. Don't use cold one, room temperature works best. Fill the glass to the rim.

Picture 2 - that's a way you do it. Two matches kept as close to the surface as possible, on both sides of the glass. Two matches won't be enough, you will need more that that, so keep a box close and replace match each time it starts to burn your fingers.

Picture 3 - final effect. Beware - in my experience glass may break spilling vodka on the table. It goes off then, as it is not hot enough in volume, but better be prepared.

[Kryolith]

Great 

Did you do the experiment?

[Borek]

Yep, these are my hands on the picture, about an hour ago

[Kryolith]

Unfortunately I have neither vodka, nor matches at hand right now. I'll try to verify the experiment tomorrow

If you know more "tricks" please do not hesitate to post (better show) them.

[Borek]

Oh, one thing more - do it in dimmed light!

[Kryolith]

I can imagine, the (blue) flame is almost invisible at ambient light. I'll report my result...

Nastrovje! 

[Borek]

You better try before trying to impress people at the party. It takes some time, so you better know how it works before going live to avoid sweating and waiting and thinking "geez, it is not working, I am going to make an idiot out of myself, I am going to kill Borek"

[Kryolith]

rofl  I can't stop laughing...

But: Again a very good idea!

[Mitch]

Mind if I use it for the blog? I'll give a link to chembuddy in the posting.

[Borek]

No problem

[Kryolith]

It worked fine, though I needed 16 matches to ignite the vodka. I noticed that the flame is higher when the vodka becomes hotter. Today I am invited to a barbecue (yes I know it's winter  ). I am going to demonstrate the trick, but perhaps heating in the microwave will make it easier. Oh and I will use tequila instead.

[enahs]

Around here, we drink our alcohol...

[Mitch]

But oxidized alcohol is so much more yummy.

[limpet chicken]

Heh mitch, careful, you might just have some poor schmuck drinking shots of acetaldehyde before the day is out....damn, thats a hangover I wouldn't like to meet in a dark alley at night

Personally, I prefer my ethanol either chlorinated or dehydrated to a dimeric oxide.

[AWK]

And scientific explanation is needed why it works (though it is quite easy to explain)
I remenber from my youth thatb pressed cube of sugar dipped in alcohol also works