a spineless globe-shaped cactus, Lophophora williamsii, of Mexico and the southwestern US. Its button-like tubercles (mescal buttons) contain mescaline and are chewed by certain Native American tribes for their hallucinogenic effects
2.
a colourless alcoholic spirit distilled from the fermented juice of certain agave plants
Word origin
C19: from American Spanish, from Nahuatl mexcalli the liquor, from metlmaguey + ixcalli stew
Examples of 'mezcal' in a sentence
mezcal
There are different types of mezcal, too, from high-end to low.
Houston Chronicle (2006)
There's jungle, wildlife, ocean, hammocks, mezcal margaritas and lobster ceviche.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Forget that; bring tropical-grade mosquito repellent and get yourself to the nearest mezcal bar.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He serves us passion fruit mezcal margaritas followed by seafood stew and habanero steak.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They serve 17 varieties of mezcal.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Mezcal is another bartender favourite, not just for its smoky flavour but its artisanal, donkey-powered production methods.