Crossword Genius

Get hard cuddling Rosemary? "Sweetie!" (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sherbet

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

'sweetie' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'get hard cuddling rosemary?' is the wordplay.
'get hard' becomes 'set' (I've seen this in another clue).
'cuddling' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters are cuddled or held).
'rosemary?' becomes 'herb' (rosemary is a kind of herb).
'set' enclosing 'herb' is 'SHERBET'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sherbet that I've seen before include "Fizzy stuff" , "Sweet fizzy, fruity, drink" , "Sweet effervescent powder" , "Sweet fizzy powder" , "Australian beer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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