Crossword Genius

Strange thing given to Conservative with a soft bedtime drink (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nightcap

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

'strange thing given to conservative with a soft' is the wordplay.
'strange' indicates an anagram.
'given to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'conservative' becomes 'C' (UK political abbreviation).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'soft' becomes 'p' (musical abbreviation for 'piano', soft).
'thing' with letters rearranged gives 'night'.
'night'+'c'+'a'+'p'='NIGHTCAP'

(Other definitions for nightcap that I've seen before include "Bedtime beverage" , "Take before bed or wear in bed" , "Tipple before retiring" , "attire" , "Alcoholic drink taken at bedtime" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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