Some Bright Ideas Really Aren't

Tonight, I had the following bright idea:

Cayenne pepper gives hot chocolate and eggnog a pleasurable kick. Maybe it will do the same thing for Coca-Cola!

So naturally, I put some cayenne pepper in a glass filled with Coke, and began to drink. Who wouldn't, right?

Well, I don't admit this often, but it turns out my idea wasn't really as bright as I thought. I mean, let's just say it certainly didn't necessitate my wearing shades, for instance.

I blame the fizz. The carbonation seems to react intensely with the cayenne. My first sip sent me into a frenzy of sneezing, coughing, and wheezing.

Also, my lips are burning.

Sooooo, turns out one should probably not put cayenne pepper into Coca-Cola! Aren't you glad you know that now? My life has certainly been... enriched.

(I'm not sure that's actually the word I'm looking for, but it's hard to concentrate when one's lips are burning.)