Coming back in profit, I repaid drink (8)
I believe the answer is:
aperitif
'drink' is the definition.
(aperitif is a kind of drink)
'coming back in profit i repaid' is the wordplay.
'coming back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'fitirepa' can be found hidden inside 'profit i repaid'.
'fitirepa' reversed gives 'APERITIF'.
(Other definitions for aperitif that I've seen before include "whistle-whetting drink" , "appetizer" , "Alcoholic drink to stimulate appetite" , "If pirate may have a drink before dinner?" , "Alcoholic drink to whet the appetite" .)