tequila

noun

te·​qui·​la tə-ˈkē-lə How to pronounce tequila (audio)
tā-
plural tequilas
: a Mexican liquor made chiefly from the fermented sap of the blue agave that has been subjected to two separate distillations
Tequila is a form of mezcal that enjoys a regional appellation—it must be produced in Tequila, Jalisco (a state in Mexico), entirely from the nectar from the blue agave plant.Justin Grant
The most important difference between fine tequila and ordinary tequila is that the good stuff is made from 100 percent blue agave—the desert succulent that is pressure cooked, then fermented.Food & Wine

Note: Tequila is often distinguished from other mezcals because it can only be made from the blue agave and has more restrictive guidelines regarding its production.

"We're going to offer wine, beer, cocktails, a lot of tequila and mezcal, and margaritas on tap," said [bar] owner Patrick Todd.Jordyn Noennig

Examples of tequila in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His friends, who had minded the Airbnb in his absence, not only left the key for her, but also decorated the kitchen to his specifications: balloons, streamers, flowers, tequila and a birthday card. Rosalie R. Radomsky, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 The hotel has inherited this same dedication to elevating that connection, and for spirits enthusiasts, that means tequila and mezcal. Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 First, as mentioned, this is among the earliest tequila cocktails ever published in the English language. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2024 Bar program manager Amanda Britton has curated a specialized agave spirits collection that includes mezcal and tequila, as well as non-alcoholic options. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2024 In my room, named Francisco, I was welcomed with a vase of pink roses and a bottle of Clase Azul tequila reposado, a spirit with flavors of honey and cinnamon. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2024 That isn’t to say no one mixed coke and tequila before Don Javier Delgado Corona, and mixing it with a dirty knife certainly isn’t a requirement. Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Feb. 2024 There are columns of flavors listed beneath the meats: jerk, teriyaki, curry, lemon pepper, piña colada, blueberry with blue cheese, tequila chili lime, raspberry chipotle, Hawaiian. Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024 Clase Azul is known for releasing high-end tequila that comes in handmade ceramic decanters, but over the past few years the brand has put out a few mezcals as well. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tequila.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Tequila, town in Jalisco state, Mexico

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tequila was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near tequila

Cite this Entry

“Tequila.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tequila. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tequila

noun
te·​qui·​la tə-ˈkē-lə How to pronounce tequila (audio)
tā-
: a Mexican liquor made from the fermented juice of an agave
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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