| HOPING | Optimistic of swilling gin, perhaps, at the dance |
| OVERLARGE | Rather obese on account of swilling lager |
| STAR | One of 12 celebs swilling gin (4,4) |
| NIGH | Close to needing a bit of help after swilling gin (4) |
| TEARING | Violent expression of sorrow before swilling gin (7) |
| LASTINLINE | Youngest daughter perhaps at the back of the queue |
| PIGINTHEMIDDLE | Berkshire, perhaps, at the heart of the game (3-2-3-6) |
| ARID | Like the desert air, perhaps, at the back of beyond (4) |
| PROSTRATE | Flat out, perhaps, at the speed of the driver Alain? (9) |
| NETHER | Lower down there, perhaps, at the end of the garden (6) |
| HOPEFUL | Optimistic of finding fresh fuel for a flight |
| SANGUINE | Optimistic of New Guinea’s development |
| TOPING | Drinking a great deal of the best gin, perhaps |
| INNINGS | An opportunity for cricketers to be swilling gin in pubs (7) |
| SIGNIN | Register what's wrong about swilling gin |
| SCREWINGUP | Overwhelmed by drink, group swilling gin is making a mistake (8,2) |
| CATCHING | Hear swilling gin can be infectious (8) |
| RELATION | Daughter, perhaps, at the end of her Ecstasy (8) |
| OMISSION | Failure of bullet-hole, perhaps, at the Alamo? |
| AIRDROP | Heaven-sent supply of gas medic opens, perhaps, at the front |
