tequila

noun

te·​qui·​la tə-ˈkē-lə 

tā-

plural tequilas

: a Mexican liquor made chiefly from the fermented sap of the blue agave that has been subjected to two separate distillations

Tequila is a form of mezcal that enjoys a regional appellation—it must be produced in Tequila, Jalisco (a state in Mexico), entirely from the nectar from the blue agave plant.

—Justin Grant

The most important difference between fine tequila and ordinary tequila is that the good stuff is made from 100 percent blue agave—the desert succulent that is pressure cooked, then fermented.

—Food & Wine

Note: 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.

"We're going to offer wine, beer, cocktails, a lot of tequila and mezcal, and margaritas on tap," said [bar] owner Patrick Todd.

—Jordyn Noennig

Examples of tequila in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond the produce department, think about your favorite tequila or that Mexican beer (the top-selling beer in the U.S. is Corona Extra) Mexican beer in your refrigerator – these too cross the southern border by the billions of dollars annually. —Phil Lempert, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Chill the Topo Chico in the fridge and the tequila in the freezer at least overnight, but the longer the better. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2025

Craft tequila brands have been among the biggest proponents of additive free but big brands are also taking notice. —John Kell, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

Grapefruit juice perfectly complements the lime juice and tequila, while adding a good balance of sour, sweet, and tangy. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Tequila, town in Jalisco state, Mexico

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tequila

• tequila sunrise

Rhymes for tequila

• drosophila
• philomela
• sheila

Kids Definition

tequila

noun

te·​qui·​la tə-ˈkē-lə 

tā-

: a Mexican liquor made from the fermented juice of an agave