as in liquor
a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk
the bartender recommended a drink made with the local firewater, a potent gin
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Recent Examples of firewater
Nonalcoholic Alternatives Maybe the best route to avoid a hangover is to steer clear of firewater in the first place—easier said than done given the many social pressures around drinking.
—
Emily Peck, WIRED, 31 Dec. 2024
The response from a manager and a bartender toward dinner’s end was to introduce my posse to a Chinese spirit poised to make an appearance on the menu: clear firewater, potent as grappa, poured from a red-and-gold flask into thimble-size shot glasses.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
This cocktail is a tribute to Madonna, Queen of Pop, and features mezcal, passionfruit, firewater bitter, Amarena cheery, and a smoking cinnamon stick.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Sep. 2022
Cold beer and soju, Korea’s clear firewater served in little green bottles
Where to try it: When in Seoul, stop by Gold Pig for the best samgyeopsal, Majang Meat Market for the freshest Hanwoo beef, or dine on galbi and bulgogi in the shadow of presidents at the historic Han Il Kwan.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2022
Poitín is often called Irish moonshine, but that implies the crude firewater associated with American Prohibition-era bootleggers.
—Liza Weisstuch, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Feb. 2021
The share price of Kweichow Moutai, China’s most exclusive brand of baijiu firewater, continues to soar, hinting at a thirst for luxury tipples among the super-rich.
—The Economist, 23 May 2020
The adult beverages are also pure Colombia, from the top-selling Aguila beer to the country’s official spirit, aguardiente (firewater!), to the sweetest-ever tropical margaritas.
—Allyson Reedy, The Know, 5 Sep. 2019
This version incorporates pineapple, allspice, falernum, spicy firewater, and a pinch of the superfood powder known as Blue Majik.
—Brittany Martin, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 Feb. 2018
Emily Peck, WIRED, 31 Dec. 2024
The response from a manager and a bartender toward dinner’s end was to introduce my posse to a Chinese spirit poised to make an appearance on the menu: clear firewater, potent as grappa, poured from a red-and-gold flask into thimble-size shot glasses.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
This cocktail is a tribute to Madonna, Queen of Pop, and features mezcal, passionfruit, firewater bitter, Amarena cheery, and a smoking cinnamon stick.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Sep. 2022
Cold beer and soju, Korea’s clear firewater served in little green bottles
Where to try it: When in Seoul, stop by Gold Pig for the best samgyeopsal, Majang Meat Market for the freshest Hanwoo beef, or dine on galbi and bulgogi in the shadow of presidents at the historic Han Il Kwan.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2022
Poitín is often called Irish moonshine, but that implies the crude firewater associated with American Prohibition-era bootleggers.
—Liza Weisstuch, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Feb. 2021
The share price of Kweichow Moutai, China’s most exclusive brand of baijiu firewater, continues to soar, hinting at a thirst for luxury tipples among the super-rich.
—The Economist, 23 May 2020
The adult beverages are also pure Colombia, from the top-selling Aguila beer to the country’s official spirit, aguardiente (firewater!), to the sweetest-ever tropical margaritas.
—Allyson Reedy, The Know, 5 Sep. 2019
This version incorporates pineapple, allspice, falernum, spicy firewater, and a pinch of the superfood powder known as Blue Majik.
—Brittany Martin, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 Feb. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firewater
Noun
-
The investigation is ongoing, and details where and how the liquor was manufactured have not been released.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
22 June 2026
-
On their way to Foxborough for an opening match against Haiti, Scottish fans reportedly bought up all the beer—including Tennent's Lager, a popular beer in Scotland—at local bars and liquor stores.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
In the years after Buffy, Brendon, who did not have any kids, spoke out about struggling with depression as well as alcohol and substance addictions, checking into rehab between multiple arrests, including for domestic violence charges and prescription fraud.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
-
Smilianska was never asked to take a test for drugs or alcohol.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
For drinks, lean on pre-batched cocktails, a help-yourself bar, freezer-door cocktails or wine.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
-
Sandlot Social softly opened this week, offering cheap drinks, beer pong, putt-putt and — perhaps most notably — 10 baseball simulators.—
Jenna Thompson
June 18,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
The bagpipes, the booze, the kilts!—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
-
The boat was later found to contain 61 empty and partially empty booze bottles and cans, after FWC officers pulled the boat from the bay a day after the crash.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Founded in 1703, Barbados’ Mount Gay Rum bills itself as the world’s oldest continuously running rum distillery.—
David Thomas Tao,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
-
The Malibu coconut rum, pineapple and coconut flavors can be enhanced by adding a fruit swirl of your choosing — strawberry, blackberry, mango or watermelon.—
Angela Hansberger,
AJC.com,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
The day after the crash, the boat was found to contain 61 empty and partially empty booze bottles and cans, after FWC officers pulled the boat from the bay.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
-
More than 11,000 bottles of the blood pressure medication chlorthalidone have been recalled, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firewater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firewater. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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