MIXOLOGY II
Credit: NY Times Crossword
November 27, 2011
Matt Ginsberg (adapted)

Each clue in this puzzle has three parts. The first two are connected by a + sign. The two answer words to these clues can then be mixed together to answer the third clue - which is also given, following the = sign. The first two answer words remain in left-to-right order, but the letters are not consecutive.

I have divided the puzzle into two parts. In the DIFFICULT section, clues are given for the first two answer words - as in the original puzzle. In the LESS DIFFICULT section, the first two answer words are given.

For example:

DIFFICULT:
Urban woe + squirms = Pool accessory

LESS DIFFICULT:
SMOG + WIGGLES = Pool accessory

Answer: (First word in CAPITALS, second word lower case)

SwiM gOgGles

DIFFICULT:
1. Ashen + Vacation expense = Hospital specialty
2. See romantically + Umbrella alternative = Warming option
3. Regarding + Undercoat = French network with 303 stops
4. Day of the month + Succeed = Some piano pieces
5. Infant + Straying = Noted football coach

LESS DIFFICULT:
1. PALE + RENT A CAR = Hospital specialty
2. DATE + RAIN HAT = Warming option
3. AS TO + PRIMER = French network with 303 stops
4. IDES + PAN OUT + Some recital pieces
5. BABY + ERRANT = Noted football coach

Answers:

1. PrenAtaL carE
2. raDiAnT hEat 
3. pAriS meTrO
4. pIano DuEtS
5. BeAr BrYant