noun
mescal
MESS-kal/ˈmeskæl/
A Mexican liquor distilled from agave.
The glass of mescal stands beside the agave from which the liquor is distilled.
Etymology
“Agave” and “stew” combine in the Nahuatl name for a fermented agave drink. English first used the word for the plant, then extended it to the intoxicating liquor made from agave.
In context
"but this mescal is something quite different. The Mexican drink mescal is made from the maguey-plant and is a frightfully horrid thing that sends the peon out of his senses and makes him violent.
More examples
- This mescal has a smoky flavor.
- She mixes mescal with lime juice and ice.
- The tasting features mescals made from several varieties of agave.
Forms
mescal · mescals
Similar words
- tequila
- Tequila specifically uses blue agave and follows distinct production rules.