On reflection, suitable Irish record followed by a drink (8)
I believe the answer is:
aperitif
'drink' is the definition.
(aperitif is a kind of drink)
'on reflection suitable irish record followed by a' is the wordplay.
'on reflection' is a reversal indicator.
'suitable' becomes 'fit' ('fit' can be similar in meaning to 'suitable').
'irish' becomes 'ir' (abbreviation).
'record' becomes 'ep'.
'followed by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'fit'+'ir'+'ep'+'a'='fitirepa'
'fitirepa' written backwards gives 'APERITIF'.
(Other definitions for aperitif that I've seen before include "alcohol before meal" , "whistle-whetting drink" , "Pre-nosh tipple?" , "Pre-dinner drink" , "If pirate may have a drink before dinner?" .)