A sweet anise liqueur served con la mosca — with three floating coffee beans, said to stand for health, wealth and happiness. It was commercialised in Civitavecchia in the nineteenth century.
It is built on a distilled spirit, illegal to make without a licence, and the commercial recipes are the producers’ own.
What goes into it
- star anise and green anise
- elderflower
- a neutral spirit
- a great deal of sugar
- water
How it is made
Star anise and elderflower are distilled with neutral spirit, and the aromatic distillate is blended with a very high sugar load and water. The sugar level is what separates sambuca from ouzo and pastis — it is a liqueur rather than a spirit, and it is why it is dense enough to layer.
How long it takes: distillation and blending; no ageing
How it is eaten
Neat with three coffee beans floating in it, sometimes briefly set alight, or in coffee.
History
Commercialised in Civitavecchia in the nineteenth century; the three beans are said to mean health, wealth and happiness.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sambuca?
Sambuca is a wine & spirit from Vatican City: sweet anise liqueur served con la mosca, with three floating coffee beans. Commercialised in Civitavecchia in the nineteenth century; the three beans are said to mean health, wealth and happiness.
How is Sambuca made?
Star anise and elderflower are distilled with neutral spirit, and the aromatic distillate is blended with a very high sugar load and water. The sugar level is what separates sambuca from ouzo and pastis — it is a liqueur rather than a spirit, and it is why it is dense enough to layer. It takes distillation and blending; no ageing.
Can I make Sambuca at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. It is built on a distilled spirit, illegal to make without a licence, and the commercial recipes are the producers’ own.
What goes into Sambuca?
Star anise and green anise, elderflower, a neutral spirit, a great deal of sugar, water.
How is Sambuca eaten?
Neat with three coffee beans floating in it, sometimes briefly set alight, or in coffee.
