Heartless circus performer crushing women's spirits (9)
I believe the answer is:
firewater
'spirits' is the definition.
(firewater is a kind of spirits)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for firewater that I've seen before include "Strong spirit" , "Strong alcoholic spirits" , "drink? That's strong" , "Strong alcohol" , "Strong alcoholic drink" .)