Question 1

What does the cryptic crossword clue "First Labour leader picked up mixed drink (3)" mean?

Accepted Answer

The definition is "mixed drink". The wordplay uses a homophone (sounds like). Sounds like [picked up] “Keir” (first Labour leader – Keir Hardie). If it wasn’t for the living persons rule we could have had ‘first and latest Labour leader’.  Keir Starmer was named in honour of Hardie  but I wonder where his middle name ‘Rodney’ came from. He was born 20+ years too soon for his parents to have been fans of Only Fools and Horses. The answer is KIR.

Question 2

What is the answer to "First Labour leader picked up mixed drink (3)"?

Accepted Answer

The answer is KIR.