Choice was first to get drunk (7)
I believe the answer is:
pickled
'drunk' is the definition.
(pickled can informally mean drunk)
'choice was first' is the wordplay.
'choice' becomes 'pick' (synonyms).
'was first' becomes 'led' (to lead is to go first).
'pick'+'led'='PICKLED'
'to get' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for pickled that I've seen before include "Drunk (as a gherkin?)" , "Preserved in vinegar or brine" , "Preserved in liquid" , "Preserved - drunk" , "Brahms and Liszt" .)