Gary’s Q&A

Listener question & Gary’s response · Transcript passage

Evan Byrne asks Hey Gary, hope you had a great Summer Solstice! Out of all the places you’ve traveled to or visited, what are some random local traditions or customs that you have taken part in?, like getting “Screeched in” in Newfoundland or the “Toe shot” in Alaska. Thanks for all the great episodes.

Well, Evan, I can share with you one particular local tradition that I’ve done. In fact, I’ve done it three times. It is the Sour Toe Cocktail in Dawson City, Yukon. It is only served at the bar in the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City. This might be what you were referring to as a toe shot.

A sour toe cocktail is any shot of liquor that contains…….a dried, severed human toe.

I know this grosses a lot of people out, but I assure you it is actually quite hygienic. I could probably do a full episode on the Sour Toe Cocktail Club.

Without getting into too much detail, I will say that the motto of the club is “drink it fast or drink it slow, your lips must touch the toe.”