History of the Sourtoe Cocktail

[GAME05]

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/3b02526906715f4a4842a76e727cfd26d9b1440.jpg

 

I'm already getting excited about a trip I'm taking up north about a year from now with my brother and a buddy. It will take us through Dawson City, Yukon Territories, Canada, and I'm strangely looking forward to becoming a member of the Sourtoe Cocktail Club. I'm anxious enough about the trip

that I thought I'd share this story with you all about a peculiar tourist attraction there.

Louie Liken and his brother were rum runners in the 1920s who used to leave from Canada during blizzards and deliver booze to the U.S. One day Louie stepped in some water, and fearing the Mounties were after them, didn't take the time to dry off his foot. Soon enough the toe froze solid. Not needing a doctor, apparently, the brothers decided to get appropriately numb from the booze and lopped off the toe with an axe. For memory's sake, they preserved it and kept it in their home in Dawson City.

 

Many years later the toe was found, and it was somehow decided that it should become part of a drink. Head to the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City and you can become a member of the Sourtoe Cocktail Club. The toe (they're on #8 now, as some were either stolen or accidentally swallowed) is dropped in a drink of your choice, and the only rule is that it must touch your lips.

 

(photo c/o sourtoecocktailclub.com, words are my own. Thanks for the cleanup, Casey)

(cleaned up code --1992)

[pitchleague]

I did this 3 weeks ago when I was in Dawson City. It was pretty cool. I'll post a picture when I can find it off one of our CDs.

[Patrick425]

I'm not sure if I'm more amazed with the sour toe cocktail story or the fact that one Brewerfan member is going to Dawson City in about a year and another has been there just 3 weeks ago. You guys are much more adventurous than I am. I'm sure it's a beautiful area and all, but being a Wisconsinite, when I think of places to vacation, I think tropical, beach, sun, golf, etc....Yukon Territories is a bit farther down my list.

[1992casey]

GAME05, would it be possible to cite the source of the quoted material in the lead with a link?

[Fatter than Joey]

Where do they get replacement toes? Arkansas?

[pitchleague]

it's the same toe over and over. But they do have other toes on hand in case you want to do the "sour foot cocktail" (all five toes at once). Of course, they joke (I think) that if you swallow the toe, you owe a toe. And they also say that many people in the Dawson City area have willed their toes to the cause.

[valpocrewsader]

Where do they get replacement toes?

 

http://www.wearyourbeer.com/images/Big_Lebowski_Want_A_Toe_Red_Shirt.jpg

[pitchleague]

Here's some pics from the big event.

 

 

 

This is the cocktail. You pick your liquor (must be 80 proof or higher) and buy it at the bar, then bring your glass over to the table. The guy drops in the toe, says the proclamation for all in the bar to hear that you are about to join the club, and you drink it.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n116/pitchleague/DSC00591.jpg

 

 

 

The Toe must touch your lips for it to count. Some people put the toe in their teeth or all the way into their mouths!

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n116/pitchleague/DSC00592.jpg

 

 

You get a certificate for completing the task. Usually a round of applause, too.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n116/pitchleague/DSC00593.jpg

[GAME05]

PitchLeague, i always thought the toe looked nasty in other pictures, but yours is by far the most gruesome. i think this shot is gonna beat the alcoholic transmission fluid i had once as the strangest. nice job on sporting the Brewers gear, too.