There are some crossword clues that, upon first glance, seem to stare back at you with an almost defiant simplicity. They use everyday words, strung together in a seemingly straightforward manner, yet you just know there’s a delightful twist lurking beneath the surface. And then there are clues like “Drink has very cold colour (6,6)” – a brilliant piece of wordplay that perfectly encapsulates the joy and occasional head-scratching challenge of the daily crossword.
Right off the bat, that parenthetical (6,6) is a significant hint. It immediately signals that we’re looking for a two-word answer, each word six letters long. This structure alone often helps narrow down the possibilities once you start to uncover the deeper meaning of the individual components. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The real fun, as always with a masterfully crafted crossword clue, is in dissecting each element.
Let’s consider ‘Drink.’ What immediately comes to mind? A refreshing beverage, perhaps, or the act of imbibing. But in the world of crosswords, words are rarely so one-dimensional. Could ‘drink’ be functioning as a different part of speech? Is it a noun referring to a type of liquid, or a verb describing an action? The ambiguity is precisely what makes this crossword clue so engaging. Your mind starts to cycle through possibilities: is it something you
drink
, or a command to
drink
? Perhaps it’s even part of a compound term, a hidden element waiting to be revealed. This initial uncertainty is a hallmark of a well-designed puzzle clue.
Then we encounter ‘has.’ A seemingly innocuous word, a common verb indicating possession. But again, a seasoned crossword solver knows better than to take things at face value. Could ‘has’ be a connector, linking two concepts in a less literal way? Or is it part of a larger idiomatic expression that we need to uncover? The beauty of a challenging crossword clue is how it forces you to question even the simplest of words, pushing you to consider all their semantic potential. Every word in a crossword clue is there for a reason, and often, that reason isn’t the most obvious one.
Now, for ‘very cold colour.’ This phrase is a treasure trove of potential meanings. ‘Very cold’ itself offers multiple avenues of thought. Is it literally about temperature, something that’s exceptionally chilly to the touch? Or is it metaphorical? Think about emotions – someone can be ‘cold’ or ‘very cold’ in their demeanor. It could refer to a lack of warmth, a starkness, or even something quite chilling in a more abstract sense. And then there’s ‘colour.’ Beyond the obvious spectrum of hues, ‘colour’ can also imply a characteristic, a quality, or even a ‘colour’ of an opinion or a situation. Are we looking for a specific shade, or something more conceptual? The interplay between ‘very cold’ and ‘colour’ is where this particular crossword clue truly shines.
The genius of this crossword clue lies in how these seemingly disparate elements might intertwine. We have ‘drink,’ ‘has,’ ‘very cold,’ and ‘colour,’ all jostling for position in our minds. Is the ‘drink’
the thing
that possesses a ‘very cold colour’? Or is ‘drink’ part of a larger phrase that, when combined with ‘very cold colour,’ leads us to our elusive answer? The journey of unraveling such a finely spun crossword clue is truly half the fun, isn’t it? It’s a fantastic example of how a crossword clue can use everyday language to create a sophisticated puzzle. It invites you to play with synonyms, to explore figurative meanings, and to consider the nuances of each word.
When you finally connect all the dots and the answer clicks into place, the satisfaction is immense. It’s that moment when the layers peel away, revealing the elegant simplicity of the solution beneath the clever misdirection. This isn’t just a random assortment of words; it’s a carefully constructed linguistic challenge designed to spark that ‘aha!’ feeling. So, take a moment with this one. Let your mind wander through the labyrinth of possibilities. Think about how ‘drink’ might interact with ‘very cold colour’ in a way that transcends the literal. What kind of ‘drink’ could be described by a ‘very cold colour’? Or is ‘drink’ doing something else entirely? The solution, as always, is waiting to be discovered, neatly tucked away within the delightful ambiguity. It’s a testament to the art of crossword clue creation, and a perfect puzzle to kick off the week.
Available Answers:
BITTERORANGE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 20 September 2025