| MOCKTAIL | Nonalcoholic mixed drink ... or a hint to the synonyms found at the ends of 16-, 24-, 37- and 51-Across |
| TAKESAHINT | Gets the unspoken message ... which includes one of five synonyms found in this puzzle's longest ans |
| NEWSLANG | 2001 single by The Shins (and a hint to the synonyms in the starred answers' shaded squares) |
| SPLASH | Soupcon or spot of soda water or tonic in a drink; or, a hint of colour (6) |
| STAFFTURNOVER | Personnel concern ... or a hint to the synonyms hidden backward in the starred answers |
| REVERSEPLAY | Football maneuver, and the key to 17-, 24-, 37-, and 51-Across |
| TWISTOFLIME | Tart garnish for a drink, or a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| ELATE | Synonym found after deleting half the letters of EXHILARATE |
| ROGET | The man for the synonyms (5) |
| BRINGUPTOSPEED | Loop in, and a hint to the progression found at the ends of the answers to the starred clues |
| TINCTURE | Word for a dye or pigment that, from the sense "imparted quality", came to mean a pharmaceutical or medicinal extract; an alcoholic drink; or, a slight aroma, flavour or trace (8) |
| GETA | With 68-Across, words to a couch potato ... and a hint to the ends of 16-, 24-, 37-, 48- and 60-Across |
| XMEN | Marvel Comics mutants, four of whom can be found at the ends of the answers to the starred clues |
| DOGTAGS | Military IDs on chains, and what can be found at the ends of the answers to the starred clues? |
| BREW | Informal word for a beverage such as a beer, coffee or tea prepared by steeping; a can, cup or glass of said drink; or, a general concoction (4) |
| JULEP | From the Persian for "rosewater", a sweet herbal or medicated drink; or, a cocktail of bourbon and mint (5) |
| ZENERCARDS | Tools for ESP researchers (whose symbols are found at the ends of the answers to the five asterisked clues) |
| ROCKGROUPS | Musicians found at the ends of 16-, 24-, 37- and 46-Across |
| OLIVE | A tree with branches traditionally symbolising peace and stone fruits often served as antipasti or appetisers with drinks; or, a slice of beef wrapped around a savoury filling and stewed (5) |
| DROP | A sheer incline; a small quantity of liquid/drink; or, a landing or delivery made by parachute (4) |
