What does sambuca mean?
Sambuca is a sweet Italian liqueur made traditionally from elderberries. It is known for its dark colour, aromatic elderberry flavour, and characteristic sweetness, and it is commonly served in a small glass after dinner, either alone or with a cup of coffee. Although most often associated with Italy, sambuca is also served in restaurants and bars elsewhere, particularly as an after-meal drink. The liqueur’s name reflects its elderberry connection, which is the central clue to its flavour and fragrance. Its familiar use with coffee makes it especially recognisable, but it can also be taken neat, and recipes for mixed drinks use it as a sweet, strongly perfumed base spirit. In English, the word names both the drink and its traditional Italian style, rather than referring to the elderberry itself.
nounA sweet Italian liqueur traditionally made from elderberries and commonly served straight or with coffee. It is typically enjoyed after dinner and has a distinctive elderberry aroma and flavour.
- An Italian elderberry-flavoured liqueur, usually served in a small glass, either on its own or with coffee.
"After dinner, they ordered a small glass of sambuca with coffee."
"The restaurant served sambuca with espresso after the meal."
"She took a slow sip of the chilled sambuca and complimented its floral aroma."
Use the plural when referring to individual servings or glasses of the liqueur; when referring to the drink generally, sambuca is normally uncountable.
"The bar served three sambucas after dinner."
Its name comes from the elderberry, giving a clue to the liqueur's famously dark, berry-scented flavour.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sambuca come from?
The English word was borrowed from Italian sambuca, the name associated with the elderberry-flavoured liqueur. The name ultimately relates to Latin sambucus, meaning elder or elderberry, through the wider European vocabulary for elder and its berries. Similar forms, including Italian sambuco, continue the same inherited root in related languages.
How sambuca is actually used
Sambuca is typically associated with Italian dining and is generally served as a small after-dinner drink. Its sweetness and strong elderberry character distinguish it from dry liqueurs such as grappa.