Drink a spirit right up (8)
I believe the answer is:
aperitif
'drink' is the definition.
(aperitif is a kind of drink)
'a spirit right up' is the wordplay.
'spirit' becomes 'peri' (peri is a kind of spirit).
'right up' becomes 'tif' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a'+'peri'+'tif'='APERITIF'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for aperitif that I've seen before include "Alcoholic beverage as an appetiser" , "whistle-whetting drink" , "it's served before dinner" , "Alcoholic drink to stimulate appetite" , "Pre-nosh tipple?" .)