mescal

noun

mes·​cal me-ˈskal 

mə-

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

There 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

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.

The bar also houses a selection of more than 50 tequilas and mezcals …

—Jennifer Tanaka

Akin 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

b

: an agave from which mezcal is produced : maguey

2

: peyote

Even peyote, a hallucinogenic cactus, was called mescal for a while.

—Karen Benson

Peyote, also known as mescal, comes from a small cactus that grows in Mexico and the southwestern United States.

—Charles E. Beggs

Examples 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

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish mezcal, mescal, from Nahuatl mexcalli liquor made from the maguey plant

First Known Use

1709, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing mescal

• mescal button

Kids Definition

mescal

noun

mes·​cal me-ˈskal 

mə-

1

: peyote sense 2

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- 

1

: peyote

2

a

usually mezcal : a usually colorless Mexican liquor distilled especially from the central leaves of any of various fleshy-leaved agaves

b

: an agave from which mescal is produced