Cocktails with Sambuca
Sambuca is an Italian anise-flavored liqueur, sweetened and colorless in its classic form.
ABV38–42%Romana Sambuca is 42%; European Molinari is 40%.
How it's used
Sambuca is drunk neat, sometimes with coffee beans, or added to coffee. In shots it brings sweet anise. In a layered shot it floats on coffee liqueur but sits under unsweetened spirits.
Substitutes for Sambuca
In a shot, anisette works in the same amount, though it is usually weaker.
They are much drier. In a mixed drink, add about a barspoon of 2:1 syrup per 15 ml. In a layered shot, pour them in place of the top sambuca layer without syrup, since they are lighter.
Storage
Anethole is what makes sambuca louche, and it is also what makes it crystallize. In a cold room the bottle can throw a white haze or fine needles. That is the anethole coming out of solution, not spoilage, and it goes back in at room temperature. Keep the bottle out of direct light.
