Crossword Genius

Booze time? Hoskins is getting a flipping excellent drop of red (3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tia maria

'booze' is the definition.
(type of liqueur)

'time? hoskins is getting a flipping excellent drop of red' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'time?' could be 'am' and 'am' is found in the answer.
'hoskins' could be 'i' (where the crossword setter is 'Hoskins') and 'i' is located in the answer.
'a' is within the answer.
'red' could be 'r' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'r' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

(Other definitions for tia maria that I've seen before include "Coffee flavoured liqueur" , "Coffee-flavoured trademarked liqueur" , "Coffee-flavour liqueur" , "drink is served?" , "After-dinner liqueur" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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