Sambuca The oils are added to pure alcohol, a concentrated solution of sugar, and other flavouring. The "Oxford English Dictionary" states that the term comes from the Latin word "sambucus", meaning "elderberry". The Greek word "Sambuca" was first used as the name of another elderberry liquor that was created in Civitavecchia about 130 years ago. The first commercial version of such a drink started at the end of 1800 in Civitavecchia, where Luigi Manzi sold "Sambuca Manzi". In 1945, soon after the end of Second World War, commendatore Angelo Molinari started producing "Sambuca Extra Molinari", which helped popularise Sambuca throughout Italy.
Sambuca Both having originated as anise-based spirits containing elderberry, Sambuca shares some commonality with the Basque drink Patxaran. 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. Sambuca is considered to go particularly well with coffee. Like other anise liqueurs, it may be drunk after coffee as a ammazzacaffè or added directly to coffee in place of sugar to produce a "caffè corretto". A serving of sambuca can be a shot with seven coffee beans, representing the seven hills of Rome. Likewise, a