Crossword puzzle clue "like this clue's answer in five letters"

Answer, when pointing to this answer, to the question "Which letters answer this clue?"

Like this clue's answer, in five letters

Drink garnish ... or a hint to five letters in the answer to each starred clue

"Did you figure out the answer to this clue?" answer

Number of letters in this clue's answer

At the start ... or how the first two letters of each starred clue relate to the answer?

Capital VIP, and a clue to what's hidden in three letters in each starred answer

The Process of Elimination: In the answer to each starred clue, cross out any letter that appears ___; then read the letters that remain