My thoughts are with you... and may good fortune come upon your friend.
What does one order just upon learning his all-time best friend, in another country he cannot visit due to Covid is facing stage three cancer ?
Warm milk for the comfort of regression ? Hot chocolate maybe ?
The strongest beverage available in the pub ? The one not officially listed that only a few patrons know exist, under lock and key ?
If there is any cocktail named « The Compass » I’ll need one or some, bartender.
Something hard. Here in Chicago I'd order you Jeppson's Malört. Easy to forget your problems when you're gagging on engine degreaser. Sorry to hear about your friend, friend.