Crossword Genius

Pale singer draining first whiskey (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sallow

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

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

'singer draining first whiskey' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'first' could be 'low' (synonyms) and 'low' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'sal' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sallow that I've seen before include "It produces catkins" , "Unhealthily pale; a willow" , "(Of a complexion) pale brown or yellowish" , "(Of complexion) pale and unhealthy" , "Pale or yellowish colour" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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