Alcoholic drink a girl takes to begin with (6)

I believe the answer is:

claret

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

'alcoholic drink' is the definition.
'claret' can be an answer for 'drink' (claret is a kind of drink). I am unsure of the 'alcoholic' bit.

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for claret that I've seen before include "English word for red Bordeaux wine" , "Dark red Bordeaux wine" , "Deep purplish-red" , "Shade of red" , "drink" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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