When in Dawson…
If you ever find yourself in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada there are three things you’re likely to be told you should do:
- Go panning for gold
- Watch a show at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s
- Join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club
I was in Dawson City twice this summer, either side of my trip to Inuvik, Canada and I did all three. You wouldn’t expect anything less, right?
Sourtoe Cocktail Club
The Sourtoe Cocktail Club began back in 1973, when riverboat Captain Dick Stevenson found a pickle jar containing a preserved big toe. Somehow he decided it would be fun to use the toe in a drinking game and the Sourtoe Cocktail was born. The first Sourtoe was served in a beer mug of champagne but apparently people were getting too drunk to do the Sourtoe, so they changed it to shot glass.
You can sample the Sourtoe Cocktail and join the club in the Sourdough Saloon in the Downtown Hotel.
Sourtoe Cocktail rules
- First you need to buy a drink; the bar staff advised the shot must contain a minimum of 40% alcohol. Yukon Jack is recommended by the bar staff and I followed their advice. Besides, when in the Yukon, what else are you gonna choose?
- Next queue up to pay the $5 toe tax.
- Swear the Sourtoe Oath.
- The Captain then presents you with the toe on a silver platter and places it into your drink.
- Drink your Sourtoe Cocktail, remembering that;
“You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but your lips have gotta touch the toe.”
Joining the Club
I became the 56569th member which means there are a whole bunch of crazy Sourtoe Cocktail Club members out there, just like me! You can see my Sourtoe Cocktail Club initiation in the video, below.
Sourtoe Cocktail, anyone?
Would you join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club? Are you already a member? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclaimer: I was not asked to write this post and received no payment for it.