The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word APERITIF
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
P
E
R
I
T
I
F
More clues leading to the result APERITIF
- Athletic beauty, well, one backing what whets the whistle
- Drunken pirate providing small drink
- Pirate getting sozzled, condition produced by pre-dinner drink
- Impressionist, perhaps one able to lift drink
- Cocktail of pear vermouth provided as this?
- Preprandial drink? A healthy traveller returns to secure one
- I fear tip improper for champagne, perhaps
- Rum at pier provided, as a drink to whet one’s appetite
- Drink provided by Italian after a commercial traveller returned
- A drink before one starts AA! One’s flipping appropriate
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "small drink" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case small drink = aperitif.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does APERITIF mean?
APERITIF noun- An alcoholic drink served before a meal as an appetiser.