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
-
Dulaney’s lawsuit also includes accusations that Irmer and the museum permitted alcohol to be sold on the premises without a liquor license.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Similar products include Suntory’s On The Rocks and Diageo’s Cocktail Collection, which use recognizable liquor brands, like Ketel One and Jim Beam, in their drinks.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Noun
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What's more is that the cocktail can be prepped alcohol-free.—
Lane Nieset,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
He will be required to attend an alcohol treatment program, Laboeuf’s attorney, Sarah Chervinsky, told the AP.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The cocktail menu blends astrology and biodynamics, with drinks revolving around cosmic rhythms.—
Lane Nieset,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
During the main competition, presented by the Flair Bartending Association, participants must make five cocktails in six minutes, including one original drink and a Spanish Long Island Iced Tea with vodka, gin, rum, tequila, cognac, sour mix and simple syrup, topped with Coke.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
Noun
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The dark spirit might be more commonly thought of as a cozy, cool-weather sipper or associated with booze-forward drinks served up, but there’s plenty of reason to enjoy it in the summer too, and this cocktail proves why.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
-
What transpires is the best scene in the movie, following two people lifted by collaboration, bonded through booze and creativity, freely sharing notes on each other’s songs.—
Adam Graham,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Local touches were everywhere, from an extensive collection of books ranging from South African chick-lit to memoirs of Nelson Mandela, Trevor Noah, and Siya Kolisi to a mini-bar stocked with gin, rum, and brandy made with Cape Fynbos plants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
James Thomas had a dream of one day opening his own daiquiri shop, serving the refreshing rum cocktails to celebratory Kansas Citians.—
Katelyn Umholtz,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Bathrooms are coated with marble and feature a tub and shower, both stocked with Diptyque toiletries in pump bottles and bath salts with loofahs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
For a distillery known as much for its rebellious personality as its whisky, bringing back a bottle called Yellow Submarine feels pretty on-brand.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firewater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firewater. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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