The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ALCOHOLIC
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
A
L
C
O
H
O
L
I
C
More clues leading to the result ALCOHOLIC
- Salmon in metallic container not encountered – could be intoxicating
- Spirited French not good digesting salmon
- Busy local I chose predominantly to feed my habit?
- Ice mostly goes with drink containing gin, say
- Distribute endless Coca-Cola – half is oddly like rum, say
- I’ll start to have cocoa? Not usually!
- Soak and squeeze calico cloth, dislodging rinds from Camembert
- Intoxicating company, hot over topless French nurses
- Supper with recklessly raised spirits?
- Cocoa I’ll have initially drunk — I really want the harder stuff!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "containing gin, say" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case containing gin, say = alcoholic.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ALCOHOLIC mean?
ALCOHOLIC noun- A person addicted to alcohol.
- One who abuses alcohol.
- Of or pertaining to alcohol.
- Having more than a trace amount of alcohol in its contents.
- Of, pertaining to, or affected by alcoholism.