A friend brings up drink (3)
I believe the answer is:
pal
'a friend' is the definition.
(pal can mean a friend)
'up drink' is the wordplay.
'up' says the letters should be written in reverse (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'drink' becomes 'lap' (to lap is to drink up).
'lap' written backwards gives 'PAL'.
'brings' is the link.
(Other definitions for pal that I've seen before include "Buddy, chum" , "Mate, informal friend" , "China" , "Mate, buddy" , "Friend (colloq.)" .)