To live anywhere as frigid and remote as the Yukon takes a particular type of person—part wild, part adventurous, and maybe just a touch crazy. Even with that in mind, nothing quite prepares you for the Sourtoe Cocktail in Dawson City. After taking the Alaska Marine Highway ferry and making my way deep into the territory, I still wasn’t ready for what awaited in the Downtown Hotel saloon.
Because truly—nothing prepares you for a cocktail with a human toe floating in a shot of Yukon Jack whisky. The legendary Sourtoe Cocktail Dawson City tradition is a northern rite of passage, a bizarre challenge, and arguably one of the world’s most weird cocktails. And yes, it’s every bit as shocking as it sounds.
2025 Update
After exploring things to do in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Haines, and even conquering the Dempster Highway in an EV, I returned to Dawson City in late 2025 and took on its most infamous tradition once again.
I’ve now completed my latest visit and updated my guide with the essential things to do in Dawson City, Yukon, including braving the legendary Sourtoe Cocktail Dawson City challenge at the Sourdough Saloon for a second time. Yes—this marks my return “kiss” with the preserved human toe, reaffirming that it remains one of the world’s most weird cocktails.
From the shot of Yukon Jack to the ritual rules behind this infamous cocktail with a human toe, it’s a Yukon rite of passage every adventurous traveller should try at least once… or keep coming back for more.
Building up to the Sourtoe Cocktail
The Sourtoe Cocktail is truly one of those things you have to see to believe. It’s also one of those things you have to do when in town. You know, like getting screeched in a while visiting Newfoundland, except you kiss a severed toe instead of kissing a puffin or cod.
Ick.
Our first night in Dawson kicked off with beers and old-timey piano at the Downtown Hotel bar and saloon, the very spot the Sourtoe Cocktail is served. At 9:00 PM sharp people began lining up, shots of whisky in hand. One by one we, each tourist cringed while a pickled human toe was dropped in their drink.
Gulp.
Gag.
Smiles.
Laughs.
Watching this show did little to make me want to experience the Sourtoe Cocktail myself. Clearly, we needed more liquid courage so we put it off till to the next day. It turns out, it was for the best as longtime Sourtoe Cocktail Captian Terry was working the following night.
Why is the Sourtoe Cocktail a Thing?
The extra day of courage-building allowed me to better understand what I was getting into. Every local and tourist I met that night asked the same question, “have you done the Sourtoe cocktail yet?!” This allowed me to ask them, simply, “Why?” Turns out there is no real rhyme or reason to the Sourtoe Cocktail. Again, it’s just one of those things you do when visiting somewhere as quirky as Dawson City. Really though, 77,000 people can’t be wrong. At the time of my visit, that is how many people have joined the Sourtoe Cocktail Club.
That’s a lot of Yukon Jack.
The Sour Toe Cocktail Dawson City Story
During the prohibition in the 1920s, rum runner Louis Lincoln suffered severe frostbite resulting in an amputated toe. To preserve it, the toe went into a jar of alcohol and was left forgotten in an old cabin. That is until 1973 when Captain Dick Stevenson came upon the jar and brought it to the Sourdough Saloon. There he began dipping it in people’s drinks as a laugh and to test the bravery of those who could finish their drink with the toe in it. Thus the Sourtoe Cocktail was born.
Since that original toe, there have been several donated to the cause/craziness. The last anonymous with a note attached simply said: “Don’t wear open-toed sandals while mowing the lawn.” Sound advice.
Then there was the wildly covered stolen toe in the summer of 2017. Thankfully it was returned in time for my visit.
Great.
How to Make a Sourtoe Cocktail
Want to try a Sourtoe Cocktail made with Yukon Jack and a real human toe? As you can tell, this isn’t your average drink recipe. Unless you keep a jar of toes handy, we highly advise against trying this at home. But if you’re feeling daring, head to Dawson City where you can order this notorious drink at the Downtown Hotel.
To make a Sourtoe Cocktail, you’ll need:
- A shot of Yukon Jack
- A real preserved human toe (yes, really)
Where Do They Get the Toes for the Sourtoe Cocktail?
The toes used for the Sourtoe Cocktail in Dawson City come from real people who have had them medically amputated and choose to donate them to the tradition. Once received, each toe is carefully preserved—“pickled” in coarse salt for anywhere from six months to a full year—to ensure it’s safe and ready for its new life as part of this iconic cocktail with a human toe.
The Sourdough Saloon and the Sourtoe Cocktail Club follow strict rules regarding the handling, storage, and presentation of each toe. Guests who swallow or steal a toe face a hefty fine, and yes, both have happened over the years. Despite sounding like one of the world’s most weird cocktails, the Sourtoe has become a celebrated Dawson City ritual, drawing curious travellers from around the world to “kiss the toe” and join its storied northern tradition.
What is Yukon Jack?
Yukon Jack is a type of Canadian whiskey liqueur that is flavoured with honey and spices. It has a sweet and warming taste and is often used as a base for cocktails or served on its own as a sipping liquor. Yukon Jack is named after the Yukon Territory in Canada, where it was originally produced.
The name “Yukon Jack” was inspired by a legendary Canadian trapper and explorer named Jack McQuesten, who was known for his toughness and ruggedness in the wilderness. It’s interesting to note that Yukon Jack has a high alcohol content, typically around 50% ABV, making it stronger than many other liqueurs on the market. This has led to the nickname “The Black Sheep of Canadian Liquors.
What Other Drinks Can You Make With Yukon Jack?
Of course, Yukon Jack can be enjoyed without a severed toe! Here are a few popular drinks that can be made with Yukon Jack:
- Jack Frost: Combine Yukon Jack, peppermint schnapps, and white creme de cacao in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a candy cane.
- Yukon Apple: Mix Yukon Jack with apple cider and a splash of lemon juice. Serve over ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
- Northern Lights: Combine Yukon Jack, blue curacao, and pineapple juice in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a slice of pineapple.
- Yukon Tea: Mix Yukon Jack with hot tea and honey. Serve in a mug and garnish with a lemon wedge.
These are just a few examples of the many cocktails that can be made with Yukon Jack. If you have any suggestions let me know in the comments below!
Experiencing the Sourtoe Cocktail
So how does one join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club? Between 9:00 and 11:00 PM each night, you can purchase a shot of alcohol (40-proof minimum for obvious reasons – vodka, gin, whisky although Yukon Jack is the preference) and sit with the Captain. He (or she depending on the night) records your name and address, all while a black toe stares at you from on top of a pile of coarse salt. The Captain then swears you in and reminds you that:
you can drink it fast, you can drink it slow but your lips have got to touch the toe!
The Captain also points out the sign saying it is a $2500 fine if you swallow the toe. Seems odd (and disturbing) that anyone would swallow a human toe, but it has happened in the past thus the sign. Also, as Erin would later find, swallowing the toe is not as hard as it sounds.
Again, ick.
“It went a little in my mouth!”
With a better understanding of what the Sourtoe cocktail is all about we got in line with our shot. While waiting for our turn I noticed the toe getting lodged in the tumbler glass of other guests, requiring the drinker to give a gentle tap for it to dislodge and touch their lip. Erin went first and clearly missed this observation. The toe got stuck so she gave the glass a firm pound, freeing it to fall directly into her open trap.
Triple ick.
“It went a little in my mouth!” Screamed Erin.
“It went A LOT in your mouth,” replied Terry a matter of factly.
After seeing this disturbing feast I took caution when dislodging the toe and survived without taking it down my throat. Surprisingly though, it was a lot of hype for nothing. It could have been the sweetness of the Yukon Jack or the fact that I had spent 2 days prepping for the moment. Either way, the toe touched my lips and I joined the club without engaging my easily tripped gag reflex.
Where to Stay in Dawson City
If you’re heading to Dawson City—especially to take on the legendary Sourtoe Cocktail—there’s no better place to stay than the Downtown Hotel, the home of the iconic ritual itself. This historic, frontier-style hotel sits right in the heart of town, just steps from the boardwalk streets, saloons, casinos, and Gold Rush history that make Dawson so memorable.
I stayed at the Downtown Hotel during my 2025 visit, and it proved to be the perfect home base not only for tackling the Sourtoe Cocktail Dawson City challenge but also for my EV adventure north to the Arctic Ocean. With comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and unbeatable proximity to the action, it’s exactly what you want in a Dawson stay—practical, convenient, and full of character.
For anyone planning to explore the Yukon, tackle the Dempster Highway, or simply soak up the town’s quirky charm, the Downtown Hotel is a great base. And when the time comes to raise a shot of Yukon Jack and “kiss the toe”? You’re already in the right place.
See here for the best rates at the Downtown Hotel Dawson City.
The Sourtoe Cocktail – A Dawson Must Do
Experiencing the Yukon Jack Sourtoe Cocktail is truly one of those Yukon moments you have to see to believe. Whether it’s your first time or you’re coming back for another “kiss,” this weird cocktail has earned its place as a must-do experience for anyone visiting Dawson City. It’s strange, a little gross, undeniably silly—and yet absolutely unforgettable.
But that’s the beauty of the territory. The Sourtoe Cocktail captures everything the Yukon is known for: a little wild, a lot adventurous, and just the right amount of crazy. In a place where legends thrive, characters abound, and a cocktail with a human toe somehow feels perfectly at home, raising a glass feels like joining a long northern tradition.
And honestly? That’s something we can all drink to.
What say you?
Thoughts on the Sourtoe Cocktail in Dawson, Yukon?
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Although I experienced the Sourtoe Cocktail while on a press trip with Travel Yukon,
the experience, opinions, and gags are my own.
Do you need a reservation for,the sourtoe cocktail
You do need to sign up. I suggest going their early and putting your name on the list.
That is so so strange!
Do you have any idea how/why this cocktail was invented? And congrats on doing this, I’m not entirely sure I would have been able to haha ^^
Cheers and for sure…
“During the prohibition in the 1920’s, rum runner Louis Lincoln suffered severe frostbite resulting in an amputated toe. To preserve it, the toe was placed into a jar of alcohol and was left forgotten in an old cabin. That is until 1973 when Captain Dick Stevenson found the jar and brought it to the Sourdough Saloon. There he began dipping it in peoples drinks as a laugh and to test the bravery of those who could finish their drink with the toe in it. Thus the Sourtoe Cocktail was born.”
hahah, great! Love those kind of stories 🙂