Crossword Genius

A growing source of flavouring for gin (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

juniper

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'gin' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'a growing source of flavouring' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' could be 'per' (eg 'one a day' means 'one per day') and 'per' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for juniper that I've seen before include "Plant producing berries used to flavour gin" , "kind of berries" , "Shrub flavouring gin" , "Its cones are used to flavour gin" , "Shrub providing flavour for gin" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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