Crossword Genius

Be fond of a drink and jollies, with great success (4,1,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

like a charm

'with great success' is the definition.
(if something works like a charm it works well)

'be fond of a drink and jollies' is the wordplay.
'be fond of' becomes 'like' (to like something is to be fond of it).
'drink' becomes 'cha' (cha can mean tea).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'jollies' becomes 'RM' (nickname for the Royal Marines).
'like'+'a'+'cha'+'rm'='LIKE A CHARM'

(Other definitions for like a charm that I've seen before include "successfully" , "in swimming style" , "Perfectly, as if by magic (colloq.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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