In the small Canadian town of Dawson, tourists are offered one of the world’s most unusual cocktails: the Sourtoe. Its defining feature is an unexpected ingredient: a real, mummified human toe dropped into a glass of whiskey. Despite its shocking composition, the drink has been a local attraction for over half a century, drawing travelers from around the globe. The BBC has reported on this unique beverage.
The article notes that simply drinking the alcohol isn’t enough to join the famous Sourtoe Cocktail Club. According to the rules, the patron’s lips must touch the human toe; however, biting, chewing, or swallowing it is strictly prohibited. Violating the rule against swallowing incurs a fine of 2,500 Canadian dollars. Nevertheless, such incidents have occurred; in 2013, a patron intentionally swallowed the unusual ingredient.
The story of this exotic drink began with a legend about two bootlegging brothers transporting alcohol across the snowy Yukon in the 1920s. During the journey, one brother suffered severe frostbite on his foot, forcing the other to amputate the damaged toe with an axe. The severed digit was preserved in a jar of alcohol. Decades later, local resident Dick Stevenson discovered the specimen and, in 1973, came up with the idea of using it to create a cocktail.
Over the years, approximately 140,000 people have tried this unusual drink. Today, the organizers have about 25 human toes at their disposal, which are used in rotation. The collection grows thanks to voluntary donations: some people hand over fingers amputated due to frostbite, while others even bequeath them to the establishment.
The popularity of this bizarre ritual continues to rise. In June, the Sourdough Saloon set a record by serving 156 cocktails containing a human finger in a single evening. For the residents of Dawson, it is no longer merely an exotic novelty, but a piece of local history and a unique rite of passage for visitors.
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