This McDonald's packet sauce is selling for $114 on eBay

Few fast food items elicit the kind of consumer hysteria that the Big Mac's iconic "Special Sauce" does. Exhibit A? An eBay user is currently advertising three miniscule 25ml packets of the stuff for $114.

The ad listing has gone viral after a number of media outlets picked up the story.

"3 individual 25ml dipping tub's could be your's exclusively available at $114 ea," the item description reads. Ugh, bargain?

The ad, submitted by an unknown seller based out of Claremont in Tasmania, has been up on the platform since February 2018, suggesting the owner of the trio of dipping sauces hasn't had much luck trying to offload the rare condiments.

And there might be a reason for that — a quick eBay search reveals more than 20 limited-release single bottles of Big Mac Special Sauce for sale on the platform, ranging in price from $34.50 to an eye-watering $4,038 for an "Anniversary", "Collectible" bottle from France.

The $114 sauces were originally purchased in 2017, according to the listing, and although the use-by date isn't shown in the photos, based on this leaked ingredient list there are probably enough stablisers and preservatives in a batch of Special Sauce to outlast most of us.

The rare tubs also just got a lot less rare, with London McDonald's stores yesterday launching another small-run release of the sought-after Big Mac sauce bottles, attracting long queues of fast food fans vying to get their hands on one. And it's diminishing value didn't deter one enterprising eBay seller from listing a bottle for more than $19,000 (£10,000).

For those hankering for some of that elusive Special Sauce goodness, may we suggest following one of a thousand recipes for it online, or giving our own version a whack below.

Big Mac Special Sauce recipe

Ingredients:
250g whole egg mayonnaise
1x tbsp gherkin relish
1x white onion, finely chopped
2x tsp white vinegar
2x tsp English wholegrain mustard
1x tsp garlic powder
1x tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Method:
Combine ingredients, and serve on a burger or as a dipping sauce.