Drink brought up for friend (3)
I believe the answer is:
pal
'for friend' is the definition.
(pal can mean a friend)
'drink brought up' is the wordplay.
'drink' becomes 'lap' (to lap is to drink up).
'brought up' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (in a down clue, letters go up).
'lap' written backwards gives 'PAL'.
(Other definitions for pal that I've seen before include "Bud" , "Mate, buddy" , "Brother" , "Buddy, chum" , "Mate, informal friend" .)