sotol

noun

so·​tol ˈsō-ˌtōl How to pronounce sotol (audio)
1
: any of several plants (genus Dasylirion) of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico that are related to the agave and are often grown for ornament or to produce an alcoholic beverage
2
: an alcoholic beverage especially of northern Mexico that is made from the distilled fermented sap of a sotol (such as Dasylirion wheeleri)

Examples of sotol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With locations in Palms, Torrance, West Hollywood and Santa Clarita, the restaurant boasts one of the most extensive mezcal collections in the country, including hard-to-find Mexican distillates such as sotol, raicilla and tequila. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 Sit on the oceanside terrace, pick a sotol or mezcal from the extensive agave spirits list, and enjoy world-class modern Mexican food by the roiling surf of Cabo San Lucas. Sunset Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024 There's sotol, an ancient, vegetal spirit made in the Chihuahuan desert not from agave, but from the dasylirion wheeleri or desert spoon plant, which yields only one bottle in its lifetime. Felicia Campbell, The Arizona Republic, 29 July 2024 The ecosystem at the higher elevation there, with firs, pines, and even a few aspen, contrasts sharply with the spear-like sotol and prickly pear of the desert floor. Pam Leblanc, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for sotol 

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from Nahuatl zōtōlin palm tree

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sotol was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near sotol

Cite this Entry

“Sotol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sotol. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on sotol

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!