mao-tai

or mao tai

[ mou-tahy ]

noun

1. a strong, colorless liquor of China distilled from sorghum and resembling vodka but usually of higher proof.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mao-tai¹

From the Chinese word Máutái, place in Guizhou province where it was made

Example Sentences

As a result, Chinese traders make room in their sample cases for bottles of mao-tai, a fiery 120-proof sorghum liquor -- not to sell but to lubricate negotiations with their Siberian hosts.

From Time Magazine Archive

Many ganbei, or toasts, drunk with the strong-smelling mao-tai whisky, cloyingly sweet orange soda or cool, refreshing Chinese beer were raised.

From Time Magazine Archive

There was Vice President George Bush, smiling affably as his host, Chinese Communist Party Vice Chairman Deng Xiaoping, raised a glass of mao-tai in a toast to Sino-American friendship.

From Time Magazine Archive

We drank mao-tai, that deadly brew which in my view is not used for airplane fuel only because it is too readily combustible.

From Time Magazine Archive

To his horror the fire would not go out; the bowl burst and sent flaming mao-tai across the table top.

From Time Magazine Archive