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Sambuca () is an Italian anise-flavoured, usually colourless, liqueur. Its most common variety is often referred to as ''white sambuca'' to differentiate it from other varieties that are deep blue (''black sambuca'') or bright red (''red sambuca''). Like other anise-flavoured liqueurs, the ouzo effect is sometimes observed when combined with water.
Sambuca () is an Italian anise-flavoured, usually colourless, liqueur. Its most common variety is often referred to as ''white sambuca'' to differentiate it from other varieties that are deep blue (''black sambuca'') or bright red (''red sambuca''). Like other anise-flavoured liqueurs, the ouzo effect is sometimes observed when combined with water.
Ingredients
Sambuca is flavoured with essential oils obtained from star anise, or less commonly, green anise. Other spices such as elderflower, liquorice and others may be included but are not required as per the legal definition. It is bottled at a minimum of 38%alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume (abbreviated as ABV, abv, or alc/vol) is a standard measure of how much alcohol (ethanol) is contained in a given volume of an alcoholic beverage (expressed as a volume percent). It is defined as the number of millilitres (mL) o ...
. The oils are added to pure alcohol
Ethanol (abbr. EtOH; also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol) is an organic compound. It is an alcohol with the chemical formula . Its formula can be also written as or (an ethyl group linked to a hyd ...
, a concentrated solution of sugar, and other flavourings.
History
The term comes from the Latin word ''sambucus'', meaning " elderberry". The word ''sambuca'' was first used as the name of another elderberry liquor that was created in Civitavecchia around 1850 by Luigi Manzi.Serving
Sambuca may be served neat. It may also be served on the rocks or with water, resulting in the ouzo effect from the anethole in the anise. Like other anise liqueurs, it may be consumed after coffee as anammazzacaffè
Ammazzacaffè (; Italian for "coffee killer") is a small glass of liqueur usually consumed after coffee to dull its taste or the caffeine effect. It is a common Italian custom, especially after a generous festive meal.
Ammazzacaffè is the popul ...
or added directly to coffee in place of sugar to produce a ''caffè corretto
Caffè corretto (), an Italian caffeinated alcoholic drink, consists of a shot of espresso with a small amount of liquor, usually grappa, and sometimes sambuca or brandy. It is also known (outside Italy) as an "espresso corretto". It is ordered ...
''.
A serving of sambuca can be a shot with seven coffee beans, representing the seven hills of Rome. Likewise, a shot with one coffee bean, called ''con la mosca'', which means "with the fly", is as common. The traditional serving is with three coffee beans, each representing health, happiness and prosperity. The shot may be ignited to toast the coffee beans with the flame extinguished immediately before drinking.
See also
* List of anise-flavored liqueurs * List of cocktailsReferences
External links
* * {{Alcoholic beverages Anise liqueurs and spirits Italian liqueurs Shooters (drinks)