It’s alcoholic, that’s very clear (3)
I believe the answer is:
gin
'clear' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gin that I've seen before include "Alcoholic drink once called mother's ruin" , "Common spirit" , "Spirit drink" , "game of cards" , "Alcoholic drink once known as mother's ruin" .)