Restrict amount of drink essentially consumed in desert (6)
I believe the answer is:
ration
'restrict amount' is the definition.
'ration' can be an answer for 'restrict' (rationing is a kind of restricting). I am unsure of the 'amount' bit.
'drink essentially consumed in desert' is the wordplay.
'drink essentially' becomes 'i' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'consumed in' indicates putting letters inside.
'desert' becomes 'raton' (I've seen this before).
'i' going within 'raton' is 'RATION'.
'of' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ration that I've seen before include "Share or allotment, of food say" , "A fixed quantity allowed to one person in times of scarcity" , "Wartime allowance?" , "Fixed restricted allowance" , "A fixed allowance in times of scarcity" .)