Crossword Genius

Depression caused by base liquor? (3,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

low spirits

'depression' is the definition.
(low spirits is a kind of depression)

'base liquor?' is the wordplay.
'base' becomes 'low' (synonyms).
'liquor?' becomes 'spirits' (synonyms).
'low'+'spirits'='LOW SPIRITS'

'caused by' is the link.

(Another definition for low spirits that I've seen is " Mild depression".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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