Crossword Genius

Joe North's spirit (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gin

'spirit' is the definition.
(alcoholic spirit)

'joe north's' is the wordplay.
'joe' becomes 'GI' (GI Joe).
'north' becomes 'N' (abbreviation).
'gi'+'n'='GIN'

(Other definitions for gin that I've seen before include "Spirit; trap" , "Juniper-flavoured drink" , "game of cards" , "Alcoholic drink once known as mother's ruin" , "It often gets mixed up with this" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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