The Yukon’s premier will drink the 100,000th Sourtoe Cocktail in Dawson City tonight.
The Downtown Hotel announced the special anniversary guest in a press release on July 19.
Silver will “do the honours” at 6 p.m. in the hotel’s Sourdough Saloon, it says.
The gnarly northern tradition was founded by Captain Dick Stephenson in 1973. It’s a shot of whiskey served with a real, mummified human toe in it.
Those who partake are inducted into the club from the moment the toe touches their lips and awarded a certificate. The club currently has over 99,500 members.
A special toe has been selected for the anniversary: the legendary Captain Dick’s very own big toe.
Terry Lee, Toe Master at the Downtown Hotel, says the town is “buzzing” with excitement.
“The toe has been great publicity for Dawson City,” Lee said.
“(Captain Dick) would be thrilled to know we’re hitting 100,000 members.”
As host of the event, Lee plans on drinking the 99,999th Sourtoe Cocktail himself. The Downtown Hotel issued a news release on July 16, seeking a special candidate to mark the milestone.
Adam Gerle, director of Sourtoe Cocktail Relations at the hotel, says they asked famous Vancouverite Ryan Reynolds to down this momentous shot using his Aviation Gin; however, they had not received a response yet.
“The bragging rates and no-toe-riety of drinking the 100,000th Sourtoe Cocktail will be special for whomever does the honours,” Gerle said.
Captain Dick Stephenson passed away in 2019, but left the Downtown Hotel with a generous donation of all ten of his toes.
“Fresh toes are difficult to come by these days,” Lee said, but believes that Captain Dick’s legacy will help keep the tradition alive.
Contact Mira Alden-Hull at mira.alden-hull@yukon-news.com