A short note about current volunteers showing spirit (4,5)

I believe the answer is:

aqua vitae

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'spirit' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Strong spirit' mean 'aqua vitae' so perhaps 'spirit' could also mean 'aqua vitae')

'a short note about current volunteers' is the wordplay.
'short note' becomes 'quave' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'current' becomes 'I' (symbol for electric current).
'volunteers' becomes 'TA' (abbreviation for Territorial Army).
'i'+'ta'='ita'
'quave' enclosing 'ita' is 'quavitae'.
'a'+'quavitae'='AQUA-VITAE'

'showing' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aqua vitae that I've seen before include "Strong spirit" , "alcohol" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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