Crossword Genius

Like the drinks often on sale without beer (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

soft

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

'like the drinks' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'often on sale without beer' is the wordplay.
'often' becomes 'oft' (synonyms).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'without' suggests deleting specific letters.
'beer' becomes 'ale' (type of beer).
'sale' with 'ale' taken away is 's'.
'oft' after 's' is 'SOFT'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for soft that I've seen before include "(Of drink) not alcoholic" , "p. (mus.)" , "Pliant" , "Mild" , "Cushy, not tough" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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