Crossword Genius

Fruit drinks containing a little pepper (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

apples

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'fruit' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'drinks containing a little pepper' is the wordplay.
'drinks' becomes 'ales' (I've seen this before).
'containing' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'a little pepper' becomes 'pp' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'ales' going around 'pp' is 'APPLES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for apples that I've seen before include "-- and pears" , "Crispy fruit" , "Russets, pippins etc" , "Loud sharp cry" , ""____, cherries, hops and women"" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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