Sambuca, a famous Italian liqueur, is a clear, distilled beverage primarily known for its unique anise flavor. To make Sambuca, manufacturers infuse anise with neutral spirits, which gives the drink a dominant licorice flavor. They may also add botanicals and herbs to give the spirit more flavors and a better taste. It’s an absolute delight to enjoy a Sambuca recipe cocktail! 

This post looks at the history of Sambuca, the best cocktail recipes, and more. 

A Brief History of Sambuca

In 1850, Luigi Manzi invented Sambuca While living in a small port town close to Rome called Civitavecchia. He named the spirit after an elderberry plant called Sambuco in Italian. The drink steadily gained popularity in Italy during the early 1900s, and it became a symbol of the nation’s “La Dolce Vita” era in the 1950s and 1960s.

Frank Sinatra, an American actor and singer, was a massive fan of Sambuca, and it was always served in every nightclub he visited. Molinari, founded by Angelo Molinary in 1945, is considered by most spirit enthusiasts the most famous Sambuca brand. Currently, the company is family-owned, and it still produces excellent bottles.

Since its creation, in Italy, patrons prefer to drink their Sambuca neat, but you can also take it with water or on the rocks. Overall, Sambuca has a vibrant history and an outstanding flavor that has earned it a spot among the globe’s most beloved liqueurs.

Best Sambuca recipes 

If you are looking for different ways to enjoy your Sambuca, we have outlined a couple of Sambuca recipes you can follow.

Raspberry-Basil Sambuca Martini

This cocktail is a relaxing sour and aromatic sweet martini.

Ingredients

• Four basil leaves
• Ice
• Ten raspberries
• ¾ ounce Sambuca
• ¾ lime juice
• ¾ orange juice
• ¾ dry gin

Instructions

• Place a cocktail glass in the freezer for about 15 minutes
• Muddle the basil leaves and raspberries inside a cocktail shaker
• Add the ice, Sambuca, orange juice, lime juice and gin. Shake until the mixture is perfectly blended and cold
• Filter into your martini glass and garnish with raspberry 

Sambuca con la Mosca

Arguably one of the most simple cocktails to prepare, Sambuca con la mosca is also a part of the Italian tradition. The citizens believe that the three coffee beans in the cocktail represent happiness, prosperity, and health.

Ingredients

• Three toasted coffee beans
• 2 ounces Sambuca

Instructions

• Pour your Sambuca into a glass ( preferably a shot glass)
• Add the coffee beans 

Variation 

Feeling adventurous? Light the Sambuca and douse it before serving. For safety, ensure you tie your hair correctly and there aren’t loose clothes that could catch fire.

Sambuca Citrus Martini

Ingredients

• Ice
• Superfine sugar
• ¾ ounce Sambuca
• 1 ounce citrus vodka
• ¾ ounce lemon juice
• Lemon twist

Instructions 

• Run your lemon wedge around the wedges of a martini glass.
• Evenly spread the sugar on a plate and dip the glass to rim it with sugar.
• Combine the ice, Sambuca, vodka, and lemon juice. Shake until the mixture blends.
• Strain into your martini glass and garnish using the lemon slices.

Sambuca Vesper

To make a traditional vesper cocktail, you will require vodka, gin, and aperitif wine (Lillet Blanc), and it’s relatively dry. However, this variation uses Sambuca in place of Lillet Blanc to bring out a more sweet and exciting flavor profile.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce vodka
• Ice
• 3 ounces dry gin
• ½ ounce Sambuca
• Lemon peel 

Instructions

• Combine the vodka, Sambuca, and gin in a mixing glass, then pour in the ice and stir for a minute 
• Strain into a cocktail glass
• Garnish with the lemon peel

Sambuca and Soda

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Sambuca
• 4 ounces of club soda
• Lemon wedge
• Crushed ice

Instructions

• Get a Collins glass and fill it with crushed ice
• Add the club soda Sambuca and stir
• garnish using a lemon wedge ( optional)

Sambuca Lemonade

Ingredients

• Mint sprigs and lemon slices for garnish
• Crushed ice
• 4 ounces lemonade
• 1 ounce Sambuca

Instructions

• Get a tall glass and pour in the crushed ice
• Add lemonade, Sambuca and stir 

Sambuca Mule 

Ingredients 

• 1 ounce vodka
• ¾ ounce Sambuca
• ¾ ounce lime juice
• Ice
• 3 ounces of ginger beer

Instructions

• Combine the Sambuca, vodka, and lime juice inside the cocktail shaker, then add the ice and shake.
• Strain the cocktail into a rock glass, add ginger beer, and stir.

Sambuca Orange Coffee

Ingredients

• Lightly whipped unsweetened heavy cream 
• 4 ounces hot coffee
• 1 ounce Sambuca
• 1 ounce Grand Marnier 

Instructions

• Combine the Grand Marnier, coffee, and Sambuca in a coffee mug and stir for a while 
• Spoon the heavy cream at the top.

Sambuca Collins

Ingredients

• ¾ lemon juice
• 1 ounce dry gin
• Ice
• 3 ounces of club soda
• Orange and cherry slice for garnish

Instructions 

• Pour the lemon juice, Sambuca, and gin into your cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake thoroughly 
• Strain the mixture into a Collins glass
• Garnish with a cherry 

Sambuca Aviation 

Ingredients

• Ice
• ¼ ounce Sambuca
• ½ ounce lemon juice
• 1 ounce dry gin
• ¼ ounce creme de Violette
• ¼ ounce maraschino liquor 

Instructions

• Pour the lemon juice, gin, Sambuca, creme de Violette, ice, and cherry liqueur into your cocktail shaker and shake.
• Strain into a cocktail glass.

Tips for adding Sambuca to cocktails 

• Spicy flavors that blend well with Sambuca include clove, nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon.
• Sambuca also complements herbal flavors like thyme, tarragon, basil, and mint. So you can try adding these to your cocktails.
• To balance Sambuca’s sweetness, use a sour element like lime juice, tonic water, or a couple of drops of cocktail bitters.
• Anise and fruit flavors balance nicely. Feel free to add fruit flavors like honeydew melon or berries to the cocktail.
• Sambuca is sweet, so to add it to a cocktail, there is no need to add sugar to the cocktail. But if you must, use a small amount.

Health benefits of Sambuca

Helps with digestion 

Sambuca contains anise, which is a carminative that helps to reduce flatulence and bloating. It’s an excellent drink to take after having a heavy meal.

Has minimal calories

On average, a shot of Sambuca contains around 100 calories, which makes it a preferable choice for people aiming to lose weight but still want a delicious drink.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How many types of Sambuca or Sambuca recipes are there?

The most popular varieties are Green, White, Black, Red, Extra, and Molinari Sambuca.

Does Sambuca give you a hangover?

Though the spirit has a minimal ABV of only 38%, it can still give you a hangover if you overindulge.

How much does Sambuca cost?

On average, a 750ml bottle of Sambuca will set you back from $25 to 50. However, the more premium brands cost more.

Conclusion About Sambuca Recipes 

Sambuca is a healthy, delicious drink that has a stellar history. Whether you are looking for a low-calorie spirit or a digestive aid, Sambuca is an ideal choice.

Apart from Sambuca, there are many other spirits you can enjoy after a meal or while relaxing with your friends, and you can learn about them on the Distillery Nearby page. You will also find posts on how to make cocktails, store your favorite spirits, best distillery trails, and more.