Drink out of social expediency (3)
I believe the answer is:
ale
'drink' is the definition.
(type of beer)
'of social expediency' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates a hidden word.
'ALE' is hidden within 'social expediency'.
'out' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ale that I've seen before include "The A in CAMRA" , "Beer procured in sales" , "festival" , "English beer, mild or bitter" , "Alcoholic drink" .)