Vodka is a distilled drink that is made of ethanol and water. It’s concocted by distilling grains or...
Toe-tally Crazy Cocktails
Some weird and wonderful cocktails have been mentioned on this blog, but this is by far the most unbelievable concoction. It is definitely not for those with a weak stomach.
The Sourtoe Cocktail is exactly what the name suggests: a drink garnished with a preserved, amputated toe. Traditionally, (yes this has been going on for some time!) it was served with a beer glass full of champagne. Nowadays, the alcohol of choice is usually Yukon Jack Whiskey, although the courageous consumer can choose any drink.
If you are interested in trying the macabre drink, it is served at the Downtown Hotel, Yukon, Canada. Unbelievably, there are now 100,000 members of the Sourtoe Cocktail Club, and 65,000 of these have taken the challenge, paying $5 for the privilege. The club has one rule: “Drink it fast, or drink it slow. But the lips have gotta touch the toe.”
Those who finish their drink are asked to sign a logbook and then receive a certificate to prove their bravery (or stupidity, you decide).
It gets worse. The club is now on its tenth toe, thanks to donations from various sources. The nine previous toes have either been lost, stolen, or swallowed. The very first toe was accidentally consumed by a fearless visitor, who was aiming to get the record for drinking the most Sourtoe cocktails. On his thirteenth drink, he fell off his chair and swallowed it.
Most recently, the toe was deliberately swallowed by a man known as Josh from New Orleans. In 2013, he ordered the drink, necked it, toe and all, and paid his $500 fine, before walking out. Thankfully, the hotel had a spare, and the fine for swallowing the appendage was raised to $2,500. The limb had been donated in 2002 by Steve White, who had it amputated after developing hammertoe.
The craze started back in 1973. Captain Dick Stevenson found a severed toe in a jar and a drunken game ensued. It is believed to have belonged to a miner who had it amputated due to frostbite. It had been preserved in alcohol for more than 50 years before being discovered by Stevenson.
For those worried about the health implications behind the gruesome game, the toe is well looked after. It is first pickled in medical alcohol before being packed in dry salts.
A word of advice, if you are planning on visiting the small, gold mining town, wear thick socks and sturdy shoes. Frostbite seems to be a common problem in this area, and the hotel likes to have spare toes handy.
Pardon the interruption
Did you know that you can become a member for free, taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. You can save your My Bar ingredients, make tasting notes, have personalised Tried and Want to try lists and more.
Continue reading
The History of the Caipirinha
Made with cachaça, the sweeter, more refined cousin of dark rum, the Caipirinha (Kai-Pur-reen-Ya) has earned its place as the national cocktail of Brazil. Light, cold and incredibly refreshing, it is... read more
The History of Vodka
For a long time, this clear spirit was considered to be the most popular in the UK. It has recently been usurped by gin, but it still holds a special place in our hearts. Here is a story about how vod... read more
Muddling - The Why, What, and How?
A number of classic and delightful cocktails, such as the mojito, the Old-Fashioned, the Caipirinha, and the mint julep, require a step known as ‘muddling’ in order to extract the maximum flavor from... read more
More to explore
Not every bartender is comfortable with serving up this classic cocktail. A potent blend of spirits...
The Big Apple is famous for its cocktails, regularly battling it out with London to be known asthe p...
Bartender's top tip
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get tips straight into your inbox.