To live anywhere as frigid and remote as the Yukon takes a particular type of person. A little wild, a lot adventurous, and a touch crazy come to mind. Despite visiting a place filled with these characters, experiencing the Sourtoe Cocktail in Dawson City still came as a surprise. Really though, no amount of crazy can prepare you for a black and gnarly human toe swimming in a shot of Yukon Jack whisky.
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.
How the Sourtoe Cocktail Became a Thing
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 for the Sourtoe Cocktail in Dawson City, Canada are donated by individuals who have had them amputated for medical reasons. According to the Sourtoe Cocktail Club, the toes are “pickled” in salt for six months to one year to preserve them before they are added to the drink. The club has strict rules about the handling and consumption of the toe, including a fine for swallowing or stealing the toe. While the idea of drinking a cocktail with a human toe may seem strange or even off-putting to some, it has become a famous tradition and tourist attraction in Dawson City.
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.
A Dawson Must Do
Again, experiencing the Yukon Jack Sourtoe cocktail is just one of those things you have to see to believe and a must-do if visiting Dawson City. It’s weird, it’s gross and it’s silly.
Yup. But it’s the Yukon. A little wild, a lot adventurous, and a touch crazy. That’s something we can all drink too.
What say you?
Thoughts on the Sourtoe Cocktail in Dawson, Yukon?
Let’s hear it!
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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 🙂