The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word INSPIRIT
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
I
N
S
P
I
R
I
T
More clues leading to the result INSPIRIT
- Encourage with popular drink
- Where alcohol is found to encourage and enliven
- Cheer home Eric, essentially, during double
- Cheer with fashionable tipple
- Fill with Courage, popular drink
- Cheer up but not with one’s physical presence
- Isn’t suffering?
- Encourage — apparently thus when you can't be at a place where you should be?
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Encourage" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case encourage = inspirit.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 INSPIRIT mean?
INSPIRIT verb- To strengthen or hearten; give impetus or vigour.
- To fill or imbue with spirit.