Crossword Genius

A lot to drink as engineers tramp over a mile (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rehoboam

'a lot to drink' is the definition.
(Rehoboam is a large Champagne bottle)

'engineers tramp over a mile' is the wordplay.
'engineers' becomes 're' (Royal Engineers).
'tramp' becomes 'hobo' (synonyms).
'over' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'mile' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
're'+'hobo'+'a'+'m'='REHOBOAM'

'as' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for rehoboam that I've seen before include "Son of Solomon: wine bottle six times larger than normal" , "Large champagne bottle" , "Very big wine-bottle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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