plural mescals
1
a
usually mezcal plural mezcals
: a usually colorless Mexican liquor made by distilling the fermented mash obtained after roasting the thick central part of various agaves
The spirit commonly referred to as mezcal is made from hundreds of different varieties of agave in nine officially designated states in central Mexico.—
Ben Crandell
Ben CrandellThere are hundreds of agave varieties, some of which make complex and delicious mescals (tequila is, in fact, a mescal made from one type of agave grown in a defined area) …—James Rodewald
James RodewaldNote: Tequila is often distinguished from other mezcals because it can only be made from the blue agave and has more restrictive guidelines regarding its production.
The bar also houses a selection of more than 50 tequilas and mezcals …—Jennifer Tanaka
Jennifer TanakaAkin to Mexican tequila, mezcal is a type of liquor made from agave plants. Its flavor is often described as having a "smoky" flavor profile since the agave is traditionally cooked in an underground pit before distillation.—Melissa Montalvo
Melissa Montalvo
b
: an agave from which mezcal is produced : maguey
2
: peyote
Even peyote, a hallucinogenic cactus, was called mescal for a while.—Karen Benson
Karen BensonPeyote, also known as mescal, comes from a small cactus that grows in Mexico and the southwestern United States.—Charles E. Beggs
Charles E. BeggsExamples of mescal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After the firing squad finished its work, victorious Mexican troops reportedly removed Crabb's head and shipped it to Mexico City in a jar of mescal.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Upscale mescal has become the hip drink of sophisticated young Mexicans who wish to celebrate their national or pre-Colombian roots.
—Chantal Martineau, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2015
Lance Darrow was behind the bar, serving tequilas and mescal, and using talent and creativity to prepare the latest trendy mixed drinks.
—Arcelia Martin, Dallas News, 9 July 2023
Diners can opt for other alcohol as well; one group recently chose to do it with a smoky mescal.
—Alina Dizik, WSJ, 27 Aug. 2018
The bar will feature a large selection of tequilas and mescals.
—Todd A. Price, NOLA.com, 31 Oct. 2017
Like at Barrio, Pablo y Pablo also boasts a big agave spirits list, around 70 different mescals and tequilas.
—Tan Vinh, The Seattle Times, 31 July 2017
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The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Upscale mescal has become the hip drink of sophisticated young Mexicans who wish to celebrate their national or pre-Colombian roots.
—Chantal Martineau, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2015
Lance Darrow was behind the bar, serving tequilas and mescal, and using talent and creativity to prepare the latest trendy mixed drinks.
—Arcelia Martin, Dallas News, 9 July 2023
Diners can opt for other alcohol as well; one group recently chose to do it with a smoky mescal.
—Alina Dizik, WSJ, 27 Aug. 2018
The bar will feature a large selection of tequilas and mescals.
—Todd A. Price, NOLA.com, 31 Oct. 2017
Like at Barrio, Pablo y Pablo also boasts a big agave spirits list, around 70 different mescals and tequilas.
—Tan Vinh, The Seattle Times, 31 July 2017
Dictionary Entries Near mescal
Cite this Entry
“Mescal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mescal. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mescal
noun
mes·cal
me-ˈskal 
mə-
1
2
a
: a usually colorless Mexican liquor distilled especially from the central leaves of maguey plants
b
: a plant from which this liquor is produced
Medical Definition
mescal
noun
mes·cal
me-ˈskal, mə-
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