Crossword Genius

Delicious drink close by impressing court (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nectar

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

'close by impressing court' is the wordplay.
'close by' becomes 'near' (I've seen this before).
'impressing' is an insertion indicator (impress historically meant to conscript).
'court' becomes 'ct'.
'near' going around 'ct' is 'NECTAR'.

(Other definitions for nectar that I've seen before include "Fluid secreted by flowers" , "Sugary stuff in plants to attract insects" , "Drink of the gods in Greek myth" , "Suggary stuff in plants to attract insects" , "Sweet liquid secretion to attract pollinators" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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