Serviceman digesting puff and spiced liquid (8)
I believe the answer is:
marinade
'liquid' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Spicy liquid' mean 'marinade' so perhaps 'liquid' could also mean 'marinade')
'serviceman digesting puff' is the wordplay.
'serviceman' becomes 'marine' (marine is a kind of serviceman).
'digesting' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are eaten or ingested).
'puff' becomes 'ad' (short for advert - a puff piece is an advertisemen).
'marine' going around 'ad' is 'MARINADE'.
'and spiced' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for marinade that I've seen before include "Spicy liquid for soaking meat or fish" , "Spiced liquid in which food is soaked before cooking" , "Mixture for soaking food before cooking" , "Steep in flavourings" , "Flavouring liquid found in a dream" .)