Crossword Genius

Warmth of soft drink - pity it doesn't start! (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cordiality

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

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

'soft drink pity it doesn't start' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'drink' could be 'cordial' (cordial is a kind of drink) and 'cordial' is located in the answer.
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for cordiality that I've seen is " Warmth".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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