Fruits
apples
Dealing with the task at hand is "getting down to brass" ones of these
tacks
This drink consists of brandy or other liquor mixed with sugar, spices & heated water
Hot Toddy
According to the Magickal Almanac, this is the only country where a black cat is considered bad luck
the United States
Ire (5)
Anger
His 1973 hit "Love Me Like a Rock" featured the Dixie Hummingbirds on vocal backup
Paul Simon
The rind of this huge melon is sometimes pickled & used to make relish
watermelon
A person with a failing or weakness is said to have "feet of" this material
clay
Any auto thief can tell you that you do this by short-circuiting the ignition system
Hot-wiring
Don't ask a fisherman this question; if he answers, it'll stop his streak
"Did you catch any?" (or "Are they biting?")
Type of turf for the Jetson's dog (5)
astro
In 1980 Pink Floyd scored its only No. 1 single with "Another" one of these
a "Brick In The Wall"
Varieties of this fruit, Vitis vinifera, include Early Muscat, Perlette & Emperor
grapes
Referring to ancient athletic prizes, to be content with one's success is "to rest on" these
your laurels
A deliberate snub
a cold shoulder
In pagan Ireland this plant was a symbol of the 3 aspects of this goddess
the shamrock
Magician's mantra (11)
Abracadabra
Anthony Kiedis is the lead singer of this "Hot" rock group
the Red Hot Chili Peppers
The highest-quality orange juice comes from this variety of orange
Valencia
It's plain to see that "nuda veritas" is Latin for this cliche
naked truth
In 1969 Sly & the Family Stone had a hit with this "seasonal" song
"Hot Fun In The Summertime"
For a bride, a coin in here ensures future wealth & perhaps a painful walk down the aisle
her shoe
Time "of a faun" (9)
afternoon
In 1978 this Fleetwood Mac LP won a Grammy for Album of the Year
Rumours
The Smyrna type of this fruit must be pollinated by a tiny wasp in order to mature
the fig
This expression meaning away from turmoil became popular after Thomas Hardy used it as a book title
Far from the Madding Crowd
John le Carre wrote this 1963 novel while an officer in the British foreign service
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
Finding & carrying a rusty one of these is luckier than a shiny one…just don't step on it
a nail
"The Night Visitors'" visitee (5)
Amahl
In 1990 this Righteous Brothers hit recharted & went platinum after its exposure in the movie "Ghost"
"Unchained Melody"