as in liquor
a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk
the bartender recommended a drink made with the local firewater, a potent gin
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Recent Examples of firewater
Nonalcoholic Alternatives Maybe the best route to avoid a hangover is to steer clear of firewater in the first place—easier said than done given the many social pressures around drinking.
—
Emily Peck, WIRED, 31 Dec. 2024
The response from a manager and a bartender toward dinner’s end was to introduce my posse to a Chinese spirit poised to make an appearance on the menu: clear firewater, potent as grappa, poured from a red-and-gold flask into thimble-size shot glasses.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
This cocktail is a tribute to Madonna, Queen of Pop, and features mezcal, passionfruit, firewater bitter, Amarena cheery, and a smoking cinnamon stick.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Sep. 2022
Poitín is often called Irish moonshine, but that implies the crude firewater associated with American Prohibition-era bootleggers.
—Liza Weisstuch, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Feb. 2021
The share price of Kweichow Moutai, China’s most exclusive brand of baijiu firewater, continues to soar, hinting at a thirst for luxury tipples among the super-rich.
—The Economist, 23 May 2020
The adult beverages are also pure Colombia, from the top-selling Aguila beer to the country’s official spirit, aguardiente (firewater!), to the sweetest-ever tropical margaritas.
—Allyson Reedy, The Know, 5 Sep. 2019
This version incorporates pineapple, allspice, falernum, spicy firewater, and a pinch of the superfood powder known as Blue Majik.
—Brittany Martin, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 Feb. 2018
In January, Arcadia Publishing released North Carolina Moonshine, a book about the Tar Heel State’s role in firewater history, covering everything from the NASCAR connection to local moonshining celebrities.
—Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian, 10 Feb. 2017
Emily Peck, WIRED, 31 Dec. 2024
The response from a manager and a bartender toward dinner’s end was to introduce my posse to a Chinese spirit poised to make an appearance on the menu: clear firewater, potent as grappa, poured from a red-and-gold flask into thimble-size shot glasses.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
This cocktail is a tribute to Madonna, Queen of Pop, and features mezcal, passionfruit, firewater bitter, Amarena cheery, and a smoking cinnamon stick.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Sep. 2022
Poitín is often called Irish moonshine, but that implies the crude firewater associated with American Prohibition-era bootleggers.
—Liza Weisstuch, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Feb. 2021
The share price of Kweichow Moutai, China’s most exclusive brand of baijiu firewater, continues to soar, hinting at a thirst for luxury tipples among the super-rich.
—The Economist, 23 May 2020
The adult beverages are also pure Colombia, from the top-selling Aguila beer to the country’s official spirit, aguardiente (firewater!), to the sweetest-ever tropical margaritas.
—Allyson Reedy, The Know, 5 Sep. 2019
This version incorporates pineapple, allspice, falernum, spicy firewater, and a pinch of the superfood powder known as Blue Majik.
—Brittany Martin, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 Feb. 2018
In January, Arcadia Publishing released North Carolina Moonshine, a book about the Tar Heel State’s role in firewater history, covering everything from the NASCAR connection to local moonshining celebrities.
—Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian, 10 Feb. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firewater
Noun
-
Since emerging, the group has successfully protected liquor stores, churches, shrines and residences from theft and vandalism, according to the Eagles of Antioch.—
Chris Massaro,
Fox News,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Tariffs would almost certainly make European wine and other alcoholic beverages cost more for the average American ordering wine from a restaurant or shopping in their local liquor store.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
During another work trip, the source alleges, Gatto insisted his employees come back to his room to drink, despite publicly claiming to be sober in interviews (and frequently boasting that he’s never had a sip of alcohol before, per the source).—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
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Yet, with any colossal success, there can always be backlash, with some criticizing the higher alcohol levels.—
Cathrine Todd,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
There, spectators competed to outdo one another with outrageous costumes and copious amounts of booze.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN,
22 Mar. 2025
-
The casts of Summer House, Winter House, and Southern Charm are beefing over booze brands across the Bravo-verse, on podcasts, and in the tabloids.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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And their friendship had always operated in leisure: long meals, afternoon drinks, dressing up to go dancing.—
Ayşegül Savaş,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2025
-
There are plans for some of the bars to do double duty during the day, even when not pouring drinks.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But the cachaça, made of sugarcane juice, is not such a big leap from rum, made from molasses.—
Hilary Armstrong,
Robb Report,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Named after the resident barman, Franco mixed up his signature piña colada for me, made with fresh pineapple juice, coconut milk, and local rum.—
Jen Murphy,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The rookie hero, opening beer bottles with his eye socket, pulling out his own tooth with pliers, and being stabbed by a fan in Mexico wielding a pen, made news everywhere.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Event highlights Include: tastings from each culinary team; a complimentary happy hour; sip stations; live music by guitarist Craig Smith; and a chance to grab a mystery bottle of wine valued at $30+ for just $25 at the Wine Wall hosted by Modest Wine of Winter Park.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Firewater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firewater. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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