Alcoholic drink: that can't really hurt, did you say? (9)

I believe the answer is:

champagne

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

'alcoholic drink' is the definition.
'champagne' can be an answer for 'drink' (champagne is a kind of drink). I am not certain of the 'alcoholic' bit.

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for champagne that I've seen before include "Sparking drink" , "region of France" , "French wine district" , "White sparkling wine" , "Someone whose life style belies their professed radical politics" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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