mescal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical, Anthropological
Quick answer
What does “mescal” mean?
A distilled alcoholic beverage made from the agave plant, especially the blue agave, produced primarily in Mexico.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A distilled alcoholic beverage made from the agave plant, especially the blue agave, produced primarily in Mexico.
1. The name for the specific variety of agave plant (Agave americana) from which the spirit is traditionally made. 2. A button-like section from the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii), containing psychoactive alkaloids, used in certain indigenous rituals (this usage is now largely archaic or specialized in anthropology).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition. Both varieties use the spellings 'mescal' and 'mezcal' interchangeably, though 'mezcal' is increasingly common globally for the spirit. The peyote sense is equally rare in both.
Connotations
In both, primarily associated with Mexican culture and craft spirits. The peyote sense carries anthropological or countercultural connotations.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but slightly higher in American English due to geographic and cultural proximity to Mexico. Enters discourse in contexts of food/drink, travel, and anthropology.
Grammar
How to Use “mescal” in a Sentence
[drink/sip/taste] + mescal[distill/produce] + mescal + [from agave]mescal + [from Oaxaca]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mescal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The agave hearts are roasted before they are mescalled.
American English
- They mescal the piñas in underground pits.
adjective
British English
- The mescal flavour was intensely smoky.
American English
- They visited a mescal distillery in Oaxaca.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of import/export, hospitality, and craft spirit marketing.
Academic
Used in anthropology, ethnobotany, and culinary studies papers.
Everyday
Used when discussing drinks, Mexican cuisine, or travel experiences.
Technical
Used in distillation, agronomy, and regulatory contexts specifying types of agave spirits.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mescal”
- Misspelling as 'mezcal' is not a mistake but a common variant. However, confusing 'mescal' (the drink) with 'mescaline' (the drug) is an error.
- Using it as a general term for any strong Mexican alcohol.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Tequila is a type of mescal, but with specific regulations: it must be made from blue agave in designated regions of Mexico, primarily Jalisco. Mescal can be made from over 30 types of agave, in several regions, and is typically roasted in pits, giving it a smokier flavour.
A larva (often called a 'gusano') is sometimes added to bottles of some mezcals as a marketing gimmick, but it is not a sign of quality and is absent from most artisanal products.
Historically, yes. 'Mescal button' was a term for the dried top of the peyote cactus. This usage is now archaic outside of specific anthropological or historical contexts. The dominant modern meaning is the alcoholic spirit.
Both are accepted. 'Mezcal' (with a 'z') is the original Spanish spelling and is becoming the more common global form for the spirit. 'Mescal' (with an 's') is a traditional English adaptation.
A distilled alcoholic beverage made from the agave plant, especially the blue agave, produced primarily in Mexico.
Mescal is usually formal, technical, anthropological in register.
Mescal: in British English it is pronounced /mɛˈskal/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɛˈskɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MEScal = MExican Spirit from the agave Cactus/plant. Or, 'Mezcal makes a smoky cocktail.'
Conceptual Metaphor
ARTISANAL CRAFTSMANSHIP (mescal as a product of traditional skill and terroir).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary source plant for mescal?