Editing Sambuca

{{Short description|Italian anise-flavored liqueur}}
{{About|an alcoholic drink||Sambuca (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2025}}

[[File:Sambuca_1l.jpg|thumb|250px|Bottle of sambuca]]
'''Sambuca''' ({{IPA|it|samˈbuːka|lang}}) is an Italian [[anise]]-flavoured [[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").<ref name=guide>{{Cite web|url=https://lifeinitaly.com/the-most-famous-italian-liquors/|title=Most Famous Italian Liquors|date=February 4, 2020}}</ref> Like other anise-flavoured liqueurs, the [[ouzo effect]] is sometimes observed when combined with water.

==Ingredients==
Sambuca is flavoured with [[essential oil]]s obtained from [[Illicium verum|star anise]], or less commonly, [[Anise|green anise]]. Other spices such as [[Sambucus|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|alc/vol]].<ref name="guide" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32008R0110&from=EN|website=Official Journal of the European Union|publisher=European Union|access-date=28 October 2016}}</ref> The oils are added to [[rectified spirit|pure alcohol]], a concentrated solution of [[sugar]], and other flavours.

==History==
The term comes from the [[Latin]] word ''sambucus'', meaning '[[Sambucus|elderberry]]'.<ref name="Rathbun">{{cite book|last=Rathbun|first=A.J.|title=Ginger Bliss and the Violet Fizz: A Cocktail Lover's Guide to Mixing Drinks Using New and Classic Liqueurs|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|date=2011|isbn=978-1558326651|page=197|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KNu0QfAO-RsC&pg=PA197|access-date=2013-12-23}}</ref> The word ''sambuca'' was first used as the name of another elderberry liquor that was created in [[Civitavecchia]] around 1850 by Luigi Manzi.<ref name="molinari">{{Cite web |url=http://www.molinari.it/english/lasambuca.html |title=Molinari Italia Spa - le Parole |access-date=March 23, 2008 |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930222913/http://www.molinari.it/english/lasambuca.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Serving==
Sambuca may be served [[Bartending terminology|neat]]. It may also be served [[Bartending terminology|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 an {{lang|it|[[ammazzacaffè]]}} (Italian: "coffee-killer") or added directly to coffee in place of sugar to produce a {{lang|it|[[caffè corretto]]}} (Italian: "corrected coffee").<ref>{{cite news |last=Gray |first=W. Blake |date=February 23, 2006 |title=Coffee drinks give 'I'm buzzed' a double meaning |url=http://www.sfgate.com/wine/spirits/article/Coffee-drinks-give-I-m-buzzed-a-double-meaning-2503645.php |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |location=San Francisco |access-date=2013-12-23}}</ref>

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 {{lang|it|con la mosca}}, (Italian: "with the fly"), is as common. The traditional serving is with three coffee beans, each representing health, happiness and prosperity.<ref name="Rathbun" /><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JDgsAQAAMAAJ&q=sambuca+con+mosca+holy+trinity |title= Wine & Spirit |publisher= William Reed |date= 2008 |access-date= 2013-12-23}}</ref> The shot may be ignited to toast the coffee beans with the flame extinguished immediately before drinking.<ref>{{cite book |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=1001 Foods To Die For |url=https://archive.org/details/1001foodstodiefo00andr |url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/1001foodstodiefo00andr/page/935 935]|publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing |date=Nov 1, 2007 |isbn=978-0740770432 |access-date=2013-12-23}}</ref>

Sambuca is also used in cooking, in small amounts because it has a strong flavour. It is usually used in desserts and seafood recipes.

==See also==
{{Portal|Italy|Drink|Liquor}}
{{Commons category-inline}}
* [[List of liqueur brands#Anise-flavored liqueurs|List of anise-flavored liqueurs]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Alcoholic beverages}}

[[Category:Anise liqueurs and spirits]]
[[Category:Italian liqueurs]]
[[Category:Shooters (drinks)]]