A drink on the house, perhaps (3)

I believe the answer is:

tea

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'a drink' is the definition.
(tea is a kind of drink)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for tea that I've seen before include "Afternoon meal; drink" , "Infusion of dried leaves" , "(Infused) drink; meal" , "Hot drink" , "Light afternoon repast" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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