Sounding slightly twisted in spirit (3)
I believe the answer is:
rye
'spirit' is the definition.
'sounding slightly twisted' is the wordplay.
'sounding' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'slightly twisted' becomes 'wry'.
'wry' is a homophone of 'RYE'.
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for rye that I've seen before include "Bitterly regret" , "Wheat-like cereal plant" , "New York bread" , "21 [GRASS]" , "Grain - whiskey - port" .)