Definition

Noun: 1. A type of alcoholic beverage: A distilled spirit made from the agave plant, primarily in Mexico. It is similar to tequila but can be made from a wider variety of agave species and often has a smokier flavor. 2. A type of cactus (archaic/botanical): A small, spineless, globe-shaped cactus (genus Lophophora), historically a source of the psychoactive "mescal buttons." This usage is now less common and often spelled "mescal" in a botanical context.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Beverage):
  • We sampled a traditional mezcal from Oaxaca.
  • Unlike tequila, mezcal is often distilled in clay pots.
  • The smoky aroma is characteristic of a good mezcal.

Advanced Usage

• "Mezcal con gusano": Refers to mezcal that contains a larva (the "worm") from the agave plant inside the bottle. This is a marketing tradition, not a sign of quality.
  • Some tourists buy mezcal con gusano as a novelty.

Variants and Related Words

• Mescal (noun): An alternate spelling for the alcoholic beverage. It can also refer specifically to the cactus or its psychoactive buttons.
• Mezcalero/Mezcalera (noun): A person who produces mezcal.
• Pechuga (noun): A special type of mezcal distilled with fruits, nuts, and sometimes raw chicken or turkey breast.

Synonyms

• Spirit (general term for distilled alcohol)
• Agave spirit (descriptive term)

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Para todo mal, mezcal, y para todo bien, también.": A popular Mexican saying meaning "For everything bad, mezcal, and for everything good, too." It humorously suggests mezcal as a solution for all situations.

Noun

1. a small spineless globe-shaped cactus; source of mescal buttons