mezcal
/meθkal/from spelling rules
mezcal is the Spanish word for mezcal, a distilled alcoholic beverage made from agave plants, primarily produced in Mexico.
While mezcal is the standard name for the beverage, you may also encounter the diminutive mezcalito used in an endearing or casual way.
Which one should you use?
mezcal is the standard term for the drink, whereas mezcalito is an informal and endearing way to refer to it.
How do you pronounce it?
/meθkal/
Did you know?
- In Mexico, mezcal is traditionally served with orange slices and sal de gusano, a salt mixed with dried agave worm.
- In Spanish, mezcal is the general category for all agave spirits, while tequila is a specific subset made from one particular plant. This means every tequila is a mezcal, but not every mezcal is a tequila.
- The name mezcal traces back to the Nahuatl word mexcalli, which literally describes the process of making the drink through its components for 'maguey' and 'to cook'.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría degustar un buen mezcalI would like to taste a good mezcal
- Voy a pedir un mezcalito para animar la nocheI am going to order a mezcalito to liven up the night
- Este mezcal tiene un sabor ahumado.This mezcal has a smoky flavor.
- ¿Prefieres tequila o mezcal?Do you prefer tequila or mezcal?
- Compré una botella de mezcal artesanal.I bought a bottle of artisanal mezcal.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are at a cocktail bar.
- DanielSofía, ¿quieres probar este mezcal?Sofía, do you want to try this mezcal?
- SofíaSí, me encanta el sabor del mezcal.Yes, I love the taste of mezcal.
- DanielEs de una marca muy buena.It is from a very good brand.
- SofíaEntonces, brindemos con él.Then, let's toast with it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mezcal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
